The Power of Giving

As the holiday season approaches, the hustle and bustle of gift shopping, school parties, and work demands can often feel all-consuming. But in the midst of the excitement, there is one powerful practice that has the potential to make a lasting impact: charitable giving. Whether it’s donating to a favorite cause, volunteering your time, or simply spreading kindness, giving back during the holidays can not only help those in need but also enrich your own life in ways that might surprise you.

The Spirit of the Season: More Than Just Presents

For many, the holidays are a time to express love and appreciation for friends and family. Yet, when we think of generosity, it’s often in terms of material gifts. While gift-giving is an important tradition, charitable giving during this time of year carries an additional layer of meaning. Charitable giving allows us to extend our sense of community beyond our immediate circle, reaching people who may not have the same resources or opportunities to enjoy the holidays.

Many of us in the Fields Club already donate regularly to our children’s schools, our places of worship, or local organizations like the Neighborhood Cooperative Ministry - we are a generous group!  This year, why not consider giving to an international organization, too?  

Why Give to My Global Neighbors? 

Poverty exists in all countries, and the lives of poor people are difficult no matter where they live. But the biggest barriers to human wellbeing and flourishing are in low-income countries where people have little to no social safety nets or services that are readily available to those in wealthier countries. Americans are very charitable, but unfortunately less than 10% of those charitable dollars go to international organizations working to alleviate poverty. 

We all want to make sure our dollars are stretched as far as possible. To have the biggest impact, choose an organization that works overseas in impoverished communities. Instead of purchasing $95 worth of toys for a low-income child in Atlanta, consider providing clean water to a family of 5 for a year with the same amount of money! Choosing to give the gift of food, water, or basic medical care can truly be transformative to someone in need. 

Impactful Giving Made Easy

The holiday season is an ideal time to get involved with causes that resonate with you- plus when you give by December 31st, you can take advantage of any tax benefits for 2024. While one-time contributions are valuable, sustained giving can provide a more significant impact. An easy way to do this is by becoming a monthly donor to your favorite causes. Set up your recurring giving once and know that you’re making a difference year-round! 

You can also look into opening a donor advised fund to get all of your tax savings upfront, then set a schedule to allocate funding (including stocks/equity) to your favorite charities from your DAF monthly or through one time gifts. Check out CharityVest, a user-friendly DAF with no minimums and no administrative fees. 

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

As you prepare for the upcoming holiday season, take a moment to consider the ways in which you can share your resources with those around you. Charitable giving is not just about making a difference in someone else’s life—it’s about enriching your own, modeling generosity to your children, and contributing to the greater good. Charitable giving is a way to foster a sense of unity and compassion- something we all need more of these days. It reminds us that we are all connected and can make a difference, one dollar at a time. 

To learn more or give online: www.wateratworkministry.org 

Contact Jennifer Yin for more info: jyin@wateratworkministry.org