Volunteering is One of the Most Meaningful Ways to Give Back to Society! Americans are avid volunteers! In fact, in 2012 over 64,000,000 Americans volunteered their time to make our country a better place to love for all! Do you want to join our community of volunteers? Great! This is how you do it! First: Think about how you want to make a difference? What do you care about? It is the elderly, youth, education, the arts, the environment, health? Think about it so that you can come up with your personal giving platform! Tip: It feels much better if you are contributing to an area that is personally important to you! Second: Can you give of your time and/or of your expertise? How many days per month can you volunteer? A day, a week, two weeks? There is no wrong answer because volunteering needs to fit in to your life! Are you an accountant, graphic artist, florist, lawyer, writer or another profession who can offer assistance to an organization? If so, you will be so appreciated! Third: Think about an organization in your area that can contact. Call them up and get started! However, if you don’t know of an non-profit to contact in your area, don’t worry! There are plenty of fantastic organizations that can help you find the perfect volunteer opportunity:  volunteer.org Network for Good Points of Light Foundation Volunteer Match That is all you have to do to join the millions of Americans whose lives are fulfilled because they are making a difference through volunteerism! Join them! Source: Network for Good

Corporation for National and Community Service Volunteering and Civic Life in America Serve Your Community Build Your Capacity Impact On Our Nation Quick Stats: In 2012, 64 million Americans volunteered nearly 7.9 Billion Hours! The value of this volunteer service is nearly $175 Billion! Source: TEN TIPS TO VOLUNTEER WISELY 1.Research the causes & issues that are important to you. 2.Consider the skills you have to offer 3.Would you like to learn something new? 4.Combine your goals. 5.Don’t over commit your schedule. 6.Non-profits may have questions too. 7.Consider volunteering as a family. 8.Virtual volunteering? 9.I never thought of that! 10.Give voice to your heart through your giving and volunteering !  Source: USA Freedom Corps,

Americans are very generous people. Giving in 2013 reached almost $416 Billion! What causes did people give to? Religious causes: $143.1 billion Education: $68.2 billion Human needs/Disaster Services: $49.6 billion Health-related causes: $32.3 billion Where did the donations come from? Individuals donated $310.8 billion Foundation donated $48.7 billion Corporations donated $20.1 billion Bequests or legacy gifts were $27.9 billion Source: The Atlas of Giving,

Ten Tips to Giving Wisely 1. Budget for Giving 2. Be an Informed Giver 3. Keep the Right Records 4. Be Aware of What is Tax-Deductible 5. Ask About Matching Gifts 6. Remember, Your Gift Can be Confidential 7. Consider Alternative Forms of Giving 8. Volunteer! 9. Don’t Forget You Can Say No 10. Be a Proactive Giver Source: Network for Good, Charitable Giving Resources Use these online organizations to determine if the non- profit organization you want to donate to is legitimate and operating with the highest level of efficiency. BBB Wise Giving Alliance Charity Navigator Guide Star Independent Charities of America Tip: A non-profit organization should not spend more than 25% of its annual income on overhead, meaning at least 75% should go to services.

Volunteer Vacations! Volunteer vacations are a way for travelers to see the world, especially in the developing world, while also giving back by volunteering on sustainable, comprehensive community development projects. They can be short-term or long- term, lasting from 1 week to 6 months. Check out these reputable volunteer vacation organizations to learn more! Cross Cultural Solutions Global Service Corps Global Volunteers: Partners in Development Globe Aware Village Volunteers Source: USA Today

FAIR TRADE Empower, Sustain, Embolden …When we rise in the morning…at a table we drink coffee which is provided to us by a South American, or tea by Chinese, or cocoa by a West African; before we leave for our jobs we are already beholden to more than half the world… …Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Fair Trade is a sustainable system that endeavors to empower disadvantaged producers through payment of a fair price, democratically organized workplaces, technical assistance, social programming, equality for all, transparency, trust and environmental protection.

A socially conscious consumer is a consumer who is interested in companies that have implemented programs that give back to society. A socially conscious consumer can make life better for others through the products and services that are purchased. Socially conscious companies give a percentage of sales of products to charity or have a corporate culture of regular giving. Purchasing “Gifts that keep on Giving” is another way of being a socially conscious consumer! SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS CONSUMER! Giving Companies Giving Programs/Organizations Source:

The Atlas of Giving Fair Trade Federation Neilson Network for Good “USA Today” Volunteering and Civic Life in America