Let’s Make Giving a Way of Life, Not an Event

I love Giving Tuesday for the awareness it brings to philanthropic causes. We naturally celebrate and are grateful when 7,500 nonprofits join together to celebrate philanthropy and voluntarism.

It is difficult, however, to measure the true impact. Donations made online or through PayPal are monitored and somehow credited to the initiative. But there is no way to discern if these are new gifts and donors, or if already generous supporters are joining in the effort.

You have to love the initiatives and the passion of the nonprofits, donors and supporters who are creating wonderful exposure of giving through social media, mainstream media and other avenues.

North Point Ministries has an annual Be Rich giving and serving campaign. This mobilizes five churches in metro Atlanta and more than 20 partner churches domestically and internationally that join together to be rich in good deeds.

The giving phase of this year's effort resulted in $4.3 million in additional funds being directed to local and international nonprofits. The monetary gifts were supplemented with the donations of gift boxes for children, food for local food banks and tens of thousands of hours of community service. One of the goals of the Be Rich campaign is to engage volunteers and donors year-round after the month-long program is over.

There are incredible opportunities year-round to encourage and celebrate the philanthropic spirit. Key among these is National Philanthropy Day sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

The Points of Light Foundation promotes voluntarism year-round, and its GenerationOn youth initiative includes promotion of volunteerism and philanthropy education.

Celebrate any opportunity that allows people to experience the joy and life-changing benefits of giving and to help meet vital needs! And let's be sure to focus on nurturing giving as a way of life, not just an event!