Philanthropy Friday
A collection of thoughts and information about making the world just a little bit better.
“Jeff with Margoth, (center) and the CareLink Honduran Country Director, Josefina Santos”
A moment with the “real” Margoth
One of the primary reasons I wrote my recent book, Because There Was Margoth was to draw attention to our microfinance work in the developing world, and to raise funds to fuel this initiative. During my October trip to Honduras, I was able to deliver a signed copy of my book to the “real” Margoth, the courageous and incredible woman that inspired my book. It was the first opportunity I had to talk with Margoth about the book, and to tell her that all of the profits from the book will be donated to CareLink, to help future women just like her. Margoth, the very first microfinance business we funded, now has a legacy that will help other women for generations to come. What? You have not had a chance to purchase your copy? Visit this link to see the dramatic trailer and order your copy today!
You should tell your kids about this
Introducing your children to the joy of giving is vital to the future of our civilization. One very practical way to get your kids involved in giving is to establish a donor-advised fund as a family. This is easy to do, (typically through your investment brokerage account), and contributions to this account provide an immediate tax deduction and grow tax-free. More importantly, these accounts provide an excellent opportunity for getting your children involved in giving, as you can engage them in discussions about which causes you will fund with contributions you have made into your donor-advised fund. Have your kids research charities that interest them, and show them how your family can make a difference. Talk to your financial advisor and I am sure they will confirm the wisdom of this giving strategy. You can also visit https://www.parents.com/parenting/money/teach-kids-charity-giving/ for more tips on how to teach your children to embrace an attitude of giving.
Something to ponder
“Each of us has much more hidden inside us than we have had a chance to explore. Unless we create an environment that enables us to discover the limits of our potential, we will never know what we have inside of us.”
- Muhammad Yunus, Winner of the Nobel Prize for his work in Microfinance.
A statistic that may surprise you
People in the United States are givers! Individuals, bequests, foundations and corporations gave an estimated $484 billion to U.S. charities in 2021. Total charitable giving in 2021 grew 4% over 2020. https://philanthropy.iupui.edu/news-events/news-item/giving-usa:--total-u.s.-%20charitable-giving-remained-strong-in-2021,-reaching-$484.85-billion.html?id=392
Verse I am meditating on
“Whoever is kind to others lends to the Lord.” Proverbs 19:17 (inspired by a reply from Javier, one of our microfinance business owners, when I asked him why he is so motivated to help others who are less fortunate). We continue to be impressed at how our microfinance business-owners so often invest some of their profits to help others. Javier, for example, paid to have fresh safe water delivered into poor communities when the COVID Pandemic caused a shortage of safe water.
Keep it light
It’s been a tumultuous political week. Let’s stop and laugh. “The taxpayers are sending congressmen on expensive trips abroad. It might be worth it except they keep coming back.”
- Will Rogers- A stage performer, actor, humorist, and social commentator.
Belize…postponed
Well, as you may have guessed, this week’s CareLink trip to Belize to begin planning for expansion into that country was postponed when Hurricane Lisa caused some flooding and power-outages. We will re-schedule soon. Stay tuned!
