As Anne Frank Once Put it, "No One Has Ever Become Poor By Giving"

By: Jessica Schmidt-Bonifant, Philanthropy Manager, NHS of Baltimore

“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege." That's how John Rockefeller viewed giving, and it certainty rings true in these challenging times. Many of us have felt the effects of the economy first hand whether our paychecks have been reduced, our investments depleted, or our home values decreased. We all have less and less disposable income to take care of the many needs piling up on our plates- especially this time of year when we have gifts to buy, food to make and traveling to do, on top of the appeal letters that arrive at our doorsteps. It is easy just to add the letter to the stack of recycling in the corner and think “Not this year, there is just too much”.

It is easy just to shove off the request and move on with our day, but as Mr. Rockefeller said giving is a privilege. Not everyone has the ability or capacity to make a donation, but if you do think about how lucky you are. You have the unique opportunity to make a difference; you have the chance to change someone’s life by making a contribution no matter how big or small. Obviously we aren’t all the Rockefellers, we can’t make million dollar pledges for organizations to build new offices or start new clinics, but our gifts still matter and that is important to remember.

Nonprofits cannot run on the desire to help people alone. We have all the right pieces, we have the dedicated staff, and we have the desire to work to change lives, but at the end of the day we need to keep the lights on, we need to call our clients and that is where your contribution matters. Whether you give directly to a program or to an annual fund your gift matters it lets us do our job and it lets us help those in need.

So in these challenging times take a moment to remember that if you are able to make a contribution you are lucky, you can change people’s lives for the better and at the end of the day what better gift is there then that. Click here to donate.