A Brief Guide on Giving
You often say, “I would give, but only to the deserving.”
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
On Giving Khalil Gibran
A fun fact: the word give comes from the Old English giefan “to bestow, deliver to another; allot, grant; commit, devote, entrust.”
If you’re wondering why that matters, it’s because November 29th – the international day of giving – is fast approaching. By tracking the etymology of some of our everyday words, we can reorient how we think of them, how we do them, and how we embody them.
Sharing and giving are two of the only concepts that do not change much across cultures. No matter the race, language, religion, or ethnicity, if you give a toddler a bottle, they will usually try to chuck it back at you with a crazed laugh. Giving back is scripted into our DNA. It has helped us create the connections and alliances that led to the bricklaying of great cities and the creation of life-saving inventions.
However, the original definition has changed through the centuries. Today’s mainstream society sees giving as either a chore or a competition. It, like many things, has become more about money and status than connection-building or sustaining cities.
Some may say it doesn’t matter why you give, just how much, but the root of the word give also includes words such as entrust and devote and commit.
There are so many ways to offer this Giving Tuesday. It shouldn’t be a competition, but another way to express the ideals you believe in and the individuals who work to create a world you want to see for yourself and your family.
We have much to be thankful for this year, including the honor of being able to give.
Giving Tuesday
The International Day of Giving began with a small New York nonprofit called the 92nd Street Y in 2012. Since Giving Tuesday lands after Black Friday, the thought process was that, after a day of personal commercial splurging, people would also be eager to spend their money in more meaningful ways.
With the help of the United Nations Foundation, Giving Tuesday collected a staggering estimated $10 million to charities the first year. The following season, it was $28 million — and the momentum has not slowed as time goes on.
If, like most of us, you’ve started to despair that humanity is going to the gutter, this is definitive proof that we aren’t there yet.
An article written by Kelsey Piper states that:
“We’ve [Giving Tuesday] grown to 80 countries, [and] recently welcomed South Sudan and Peru and Nepal and Greece… Giving Tuesday exists in countries where Black Friday and Cyber Monday don’t exist, and that reminds us that there’s this value that unites us.”
This internationally recognized day embodies the original definition of giving, which is to bestow onto another. Charities, NGOs, and nonprofits around the world all exist as a means of sustaining cities and societies, and giving to such organizations is a way for individuals to aid in societal work.
This year, Mission Capital has decided to join Giving Tuesday with excitement and thoughtfulness. We are entering this place not in the spirit of competition, but in the belief that as we receive, we will also be able to give more, in a virtuous cycle of abundance.
We are also eager in this blog to give a gentle reminder that money isn’t all that matters! Everyone has been impacted by recent times, and we know that, in addition to giving from our “treasure”, our “time and talent” is incredibly valuable.
If we are to change the modern mentality that giving is a chore or a contest to be won, we must also accept that it can be expressed in many ways. The person who pays the difference for a stranger to get milk in the grocery line has given just as honorably as the person who invests ten grand in a life-saving treatment. It all helps to produce a connection, elevate your neighbor, and make your city a better place.
So, without further ado, here are three ways you can give that don’t require a bulging checkbook:
Commit
Money doesn’t grow on trees. We all know that. Despite that (or maybe because) money is just a construct, many times it’s also only a means to an end. Money doesn’t feed the malnourished nor does it solve systematic inequities, nor does it heal the veteran. As the old adage holds, throwing money at a problem doesn’t make it go away. People do that.
So, if you’re struggling to find a way to give back this Holiday season, consider committing some of your time or abilities to the nonprofit or charity of your choice. Even everyday skills can become life-changing when operationalized effectively.
Say you’re good at sewing. That is an incredible talent! It has kept people alive for thousands of years. Not only could you plausibly give your warm and fuzzy creation to a homeless shelter or retirement home, but you could teach others to sew.
What about skateboarding? You read that right. Sports are a huge unifier. Head down to your local rec center or school and start teaching people how to shred the pavement. Who knows? Maybe you’ll teach a star.
Are you a chef, or maybe just particularly skilled behind a grill? C’mon now, where would the world be without great cooks? There are hundreds of homeless shelters or community kitchens that would love to serve their clients nutritious and well-cooked food.
Maybe you just enjoy talking to people and sharing experiences, did you know that there is a way to do so over the phone? Extrovert power! There are hundreds of people who could use a friendly voice, like the elderly who live alone or someone who is struggling with their mental health. Check out online volunteering options too!
Committing your time as a teacher, a woodworker, an artist, or just an extra pair of hands is a great way to help your community and get a boost of extra serotonin. Don’t be afraid to make it a habit. Having a committed, habitual volunteer is a dream come true for nonprofits. Is that you? Check out this resource to find a good fit!
Entrust
Here’s another fun fact: many historical societies also act as nonprofits.
Say you have diaries from five generations of your family that has lived in the Austin area since the early eighteenth century. There could be hidden mysteries or a senior thesis hidden in the pages of those texts. Consider entrusting them to a nonprofit that specializes in connecting the community with its local history.
Not everyone has a secret attic of archaeological treasure. That’s ok! There are also religious and educational nonprofits that desperately need new vehicles to help them conduct field trips. Did dad leave you his 1986 Ford Capri that you don’t really want but can’t bring yourself to sell or scrap? Maybe it’s time to kiss it goodbye and let it carry a new generation to the state tennis competition. Will they ride in style? Probably not. Will they get a chance to do something amazing? Absolutely.
Devote
According to the National Centers for Environmental Information “In 2022 (as of October 11), there have been 15 weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect the United States. These events included one drought event, one flooding event, 10 severe storm events, two tropical cyclone events, and one wildfire event.”
It has been a scary year for millions of people just in the United States, and if you don’t have the time to commit to constantly volunteering or the ability to donate resources, consider devoting small bits of time to spreading the word, particularly where it concerns natural disasters.
Did you know that the Red Cross has to collect about 13,000 blood donations to meet the needs of patients at about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country? Well, how are they supposed to get blood donors if no one knows where the transfusion centers are? Or who to contact?
Devote ten minutes of your day to type a quick Google Search about where help is needed, and then post it on social media to spread the word. It’s easy, it’s quick and most importantly, it could aid hundreds of people affected by natural disasters.
This works in other places and situations too. Have you heard about a recent walk-a-thon to raise money for Leukemia patients? Tell everyone you know and encourage them to come out! Did your spouse come back with a flyer for a donation-drive to a local abused women’s shelter? Pass along the info!
Devoting even 15 minutes of your day to educating the public about how, when and where help is needed is an incredible gift to nonprofits and charities around the world. Social media has made it easier than ever to advocate and connect for the communities and issues that matter most to you. Are you ready to change the world?
On your mark, get set, go post!
Deliver to Another
Full circle. Do you feel empowered to give? Remember, there are many ways to do it. You could “bestow, deliver to another; allot, grant; commit, devote, entrust.” So many options!
November 29th – the international day of giving – is just around the corner. Remember to approach giving with the same excitement and maniac glee as a toddler as it flings the Oreo right back at your face.
No society is ever made if everyone takes without giving back. It’s a cyclical cycle. Mission Capital is happy to be joining this season of giving so that we, too, can refill our pockets and then empty them out again to our community in the coming year. We hope you consider giving to us so that we might give to others.
In the meantime, may you give, may you receive, and may you have a wonderful autumn season.
Resources:
https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/21728843/best-charities-donate-giving-tuesday
https://www.forbes.com/lists/top-charities/?sh=15372e725f50
https://www.usa.gov/donate-to-charity
Giving Strategies: