If we learned anything from 2020, it was that, at the end of the day, what is most important is your family, friends, and how you spend your time. We realized that far too often, we're over focused on the day-in and day-out needs, and not focused enough on our community, our relationships, and ourselves.
Giving back came to the forefront as some of our neighbors, those we know, those we don't, those that live next door, and those across the country, began to struggle during the pandemic.
"In 2020, overall charitable giving in the United States increased by 2.0% on a year-over-year basis."
Those that work in the non-for-profit world know how hard they work to give back and that giving doesn't always come easy, especially in times of crisis. Often though, we get so bogged down in what is right in front of us, we don't see the ripple effect. 2020 began to open our eyes to that. It's imperative to give outside yourself and your not-for-profit organization.
If you expect someone to donate to your organization, are you, in turn, donating to other organizations? You do great work and help a lot of people in need, but could your time, money, resources, or skills support other organizations to help even more people in need too?
Partnering with other leaders outside your own organization can start to build a greater good. Perhaps that organization would do the same for another organization and then another organization and suddenly you’re 1/2 responsible for the dispersion of philanthropy among your peers.
If you feel like other organizations don’t support your organization, flip it by supporting another organization. More than likely, that organization will want to return the favor in a meaningful way. Remember, money will flow in and out of your organization. That is the nature of business. However, once you give to another organization, you open the door to start receiving more and more from the universe.