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Giving Without Going Broke

Charitable Gift Annuities have many advantages. While it helps you contribute towards worthy causes, it also reduces incomes taxes and takes care of loved ones as well. Charitable Gift Annuities are fast becoming popular especially now that interest rates of CDs and other fixed income investments have dropped.

There are around eight thousand websites that provide information on Charitable Gift Annuities, and church organizations that accept them include the Episcopal Church Foundation, the Presbyterian Foundation, the Salvation Army and the Church World Service.
Not only does it help reduce income taxes, it also gives you an opportunity to exchange unwanted stocks and property for a Charitable Gift Annuity. This drops the tax on your profits and also gives you a tax write-off for charitable giving. When you are on Social Security, taxes on the sale of appreciated property are extremely high. Social Security income is also subject to taxes once a specified income bracket is passed.

Some churches are not set up to handle gift annuities. Then, they can work with organizations that have relevant experience. The Church World Service is one such example, and handles tax-beneficial transactions via the United Methodist Foundation of Northern Illinois.

Charitable Gift Annuities helps you prepare for rough times encountered in life. The income from annuities increases as the number of beneficiaries goes up. The same applies for the age of the beneficiaries as well. Disadvantages of this scheme are that you cannot change your mind, inflation and the fluctuation of the market.

Volunteering for a Charity Organisation

Article Written by : Credit Card Processing News

Quite a number of people volunteer at charity organizations. This gives you a chance to assist a charity of your choice, and also getting something back in return. This is especially useful if you do not have much money to give in the way of donations; thus making volunteering a great choice.

What you will do exactly when you volunteer depends on the charity you choose. If you’ve decided to become a volunteer, there are a few factors you should take into consideration. Think of what you can offer the charity. Take stock of the skills you possess and how it could benefit the charity. If you are a good with numbers, then you could help out with their finances and accounting work. Everyone volunteers as a counsellor. However, this is no good unless you have the right qualifications or experience.
Also, think of what you like to do. If you volunteer at a charity, it should not be only about what you are good at, but also where you passion lies. If you like drama, but have not had the chance to implement it as much as you like, this is a good opportunity to combine it with your volunteer charity work.

Your time is also of extreme importance. Decide how much of your time you can put towards volunteering for this charity. Sometimes, you might only be able to only volunteer on evenings or weekends, and would thus need to have clear cut timings sorted out with the organization so both parties are on a good understanding. Remember, that volunteering should be a win-win situation. It is a great way to meet new people, work on new projects and acquiring new skills.

Volunteering for a Charity Organisation

Quite a number of people volunteer at charity organizations. This gives you a chance to assist a charity of your choice, and also getting something back in return. This is especially useful if you do not have much money to give in the way of donations; thus making volunteering a great choice.

What you will do exactly when you volunteer depends on the charity you choose. If you’ve decided to become a volunteer, there are a few factors you should take into consideration. Think of what you can offer the charity. Take stock of the skills you possess and how it could benefit the charity. If you are a good with numbers, then you could help out with their finances and accounting work. Everyone volunteers as a counsellor. However, this is no good unless you have the right qualifications or experience.
Also, think of what you like to do. If you volunteer at a charity, it should not be only about what you are good at, but also where you passion lies. If you like drama, but have not had the chance to implement it as much as you like, this is a good opportunity to combine it with your volunteer charity work.

Your time is also of extreme importance. Decide how much of your time you can put towards volunteering for this charity. Sometimes, you might only be able to only volunteer on evenings or weekends, and would thus need to have clear cut timings sorted out with the organization so both parties are on a good understanding. Remember, that volunteering should be a win-win situation. It is a great way to meet new people, work on new projects and acquiring new skills.

Strategic Philanthropy

Article Written by : Credit Card Processing Blog

Strategic Philanthropy is a unique way to incorporate your company’s marketing goals with the well being of mankind. Many organizations already engage in the basic form of philanthropy. These include schemes such as donating gift certificates to churches’ silent auction, allowing a high school club to set up car wash in the company parking lot, contributing coffee to an event, buying a school a year book or sponsoring a children’s sports team.

Strategic philanthropy incorporates your organization’s marketing goals as well. Here are a few ways to achieve this.

– Introduce a new product that community groups can use to sell to their community and provide them with a good commission on each sale.

– Create coupons that people can distribute within their communities and the group can get a percentage of each sale.

– Invite groups to organize fundraisers within your stores increasing awareness for your store and providing the group with much needed funds.

– Provide groups who address important community issues gift certificates that they can give to their hardworking volunteers

– Partner with a important social action group to host a lunch workshop or community dialog sessions about local needs and issues.

Engaging in strategic philanthropy can be useful in distinguishing your organization from your competitors. It can also help you to boost your product awareness and gain favor among the community you operate in over your competitors.

Stress Relief through Charity

Article Written  by : Boston Buyers Club

One of the best stress relievers is through charity. Helping others takes the focus off you and your problems. Here are a few ways you can volunteer in charity events and projects, and helop yourself in the process:

Walkathons – these charity walks only require determination and good walking shoes. Contact a charity of your choice and register for the walk. You might have to help with getting sponsors to donate money on behalf f you walking, and they can be anyone from a family member, co-worker, friends, etc. Donations can start from $1 up to as much as your sponsor is willing to donate.

Local Nursing Home – residents at nursing homes sometimes have no one to visit them. Take an hour or two of your time per week, and visit an elderly resident. They would love and appreciate a visit from a warm, friendly person. Contact your local nursing home to find out how their volunteer scheme works.

Youth Clubs – youth clubs provide sports and fun activities for children in the area. These clubs are always in need of responsible, patient adults willing to help.

Local Church Ministries – join your local church ministry and put your spiritual gifts to good use. There are many areas you can help out with, which include: youth ministry, usher board ministry, missions ministry, prison ministry, music ministry, etc.

Local Food Bank – join this charity to help people in your community get the food they need. Call them up, register and get started.
Homeless Shelter – get involved with the homeless shelter in your area. You need to invest just a few hours of your time every week, to make a difference in the lives of the needy.