Despite increases in local per capita income and a flurry of encouraging signs for our economy, there are still those who continue to struggle economically. There are so many Western New Yorkers – our friends, relatives, and neighbors – in need, and countless worthy individuals, organizations and agencies which try to meet those needs. Not a day goes by that I don’t receive a solicitation of some sort, either through the mail or via the internet. I wish I could help them all, but unfortunately I just can’t do it. Buffalo is a remarkably generous city, and I’ll bet many of you are in the same boat – you want to help, but you’ve only got so much to give. What can you do? How can you make the greatest impact with what you have to give?
I have a few suggestions.
The first and probably most important thing I can suggest is that you get involved. Writing a check is wonderul (and much appreciated, there’s no denying) but it’s only part of the process. Request promotional materials and an annual report from the organization you’re interested in supporting. Find out what they do, and how your gift will help them do it better. Ask questions. If possible, schedule a tour to see the day-to-day operations for yourself. Most non-profits are overworked and underpaid, but any reputable organization will jump at the chance to show the community what they do and why they do it. It will take an hour or two of your time (vs. thirty seconds to write a check), but you get peace of mind knowing exactly where your money is going. You also get to see the results of your generosity first hand, and you’ll be invested in more than just a financial sense. One quick note: conventional wisdom says that the higher the percentage of each donation dollar that goes directly to services, the better. That’s the sign of a more efficient organization. But it’s not always so simple. The types of safeguards, checks and balances required to insure your money is spent wisely, and to prevent fraud, unfortunately eat up part of that donation dollar. The percentage is important, but it’s not the be-all and end-all in identifying a well-run non-profit.
Now maybe you’re like me and you simply don’t have the resources to contribute financially. Why not volunteer? Volunteering actually has several important advantages over a financial contribution for a lot of people. There’s a social aspect to volunteering. You’ll make new friends among the other volunteers as well as the organization’s staff and clients. Volunteering can be a lot of fun, and there are so many different types of organizations that you can definitely find a task or project that you’ll enjoy, and that will really make a difference in someone’s life. It’s not selfish to pick a task you actually enjoy. If you have a particular skill or talent, use it! By the way, volunteering can be a great way for people just starting out in a particular field to network professionally and get their name out there. The skills you use in your volunteer position might be noticed by a donor or Board member with a lot of influence. You could end up with a new customer or two!
Finally, a bit of disclosure. I work for a non-profit agency, so my suggestions are coming from that perspective. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, I’d love to hear them! Maybe we can get a good conversation started and help make the most out of Buffalo’s already amazing generosity.