Philanthropy - Make a Choice to Help!

Have you realized that one person CAN indeed make a difference? It is true. The children that pooled their pennies and donated $5 to the Hurricane Katrina victims, those that drop change in the Salvation Army red buckets during the holidays, the $1 bill placed in the library friends donation jar- those dollars add up and change lives.

Technology has brought philanthropy- the donation of money, goods, time, etc. to a charitable cause- to the masses and has made it as easy as clicking a mouse to donate money or grant a loan. Two websites in particular have made it possible for those in need to post their requests, and those with little, or those with a lot, to make a difference.

Realitycharity is a site that allows for monetary donations to people who need financial assistance for a variety of reasons including medical/health care, disaster, single parent status, environmental, military/veterans, childbirth/adoption, charity walks/runs, animals and pets. The site is organized such that one can browse non-profit organizations, as well as personal fundraisers according to the categories listed above, by region, or by a specific search term in a search box.

To add a measure of security and assurance to those willing to donate to others in need, people that post on the site can be "ID verified". Fundraisers provide personal information to Realitycharity to prove who they are, helping to ease fears that the donated money is going to legitimate folks. Most people add photos to their site, some of which again adds credence to the information provided by displaying images of themselves in hospital beds, damaged homes, and the like. Finally, fundraisers can add copies of documents detailing costs such as medical bills, insurance claims, etc.

This is a direct quote from the site detailing what Realitycharity is all about,

"RealityCharity™ is the gratifying, new way to give™. Coined "the eBay of Giving" by the media, RealityCharity is the world's first direct fundraising platform and philanthropy community. Organizations and individuals around the world may raise money for good causes, directly and instantly, by harnessing the power of the Internet to reach their social networks as well as other generous donors at home and across the globe. We are creating a permanent paradigm shift in the world of philanthropy, fundraising and charitable giving. We do not charge an administrative fee on donations nor hold on to the funds. All the money goes directly to the Fundraiser, immediately, less whatever tiny electronic banking fees we are charged to process the transaction."

The site has been given media coverage in various newspapers around the country such as in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Baltimore Sun. Radio interviews have also been given.

On a more personal level, I can tell you that this site benefits both the receiver and the donator (realitycharity). It allows people in need to receive from others in a more indirect and sometimes anonymous way, what they may be too proud to receive in other ways. When suddenly diagnosed with brain cancer Christmas Day of 2006, I had no idea the cost involved, even as an insured person. The site I just created will allow me to accept what others can offer, and it offers a vehicle of giving for people that truly want to help.

In a slightly different vein, there are entrepreneurs in impoverished countries around the world that need our assistance. Kiva is a site that allows people to lend money to small businesses around the world that need a little extra cash to make their dreams come true or to simply pull their family out of poverty. The Kiva website is very user friendly and again underlines the fact that a little bit goes a long way in helping someone get back on their feet.

This is a direct quote from Kiva explaining briefly the merit of the organization,

"Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

Users can search by entering a keyword and then narrowing the search based on status of need, gender, sector, and region. Journals of the entrepreneurs can be read online, and members of the site can create a portfolio of loans and check on the status of the business to which they have donated.

In a time when we are confronted with disasters, personal crises, national and global concerns, it is easy to throw up our hands and feel as though we have no control over our environment, no way to bring about change. This is no longer the case, especially with the help of the Internet. It is now as easy to donate a few dollars to someone who needs it as it is to purchase a toy for a child during the holiday season. Take a look at who and what is out there in our world today, and lend someone a helping hand.