Celebrating the Fourth of July with Philanthropy

As we enjoy the 4th of July weekend with family and friends, backyard barbecues, parades and fireworks, we should also remember what July 4th really means. We celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 and our freedom.

Fourth of July Fun Facts

• On July 4th, 1776 there were 2.5 Americans living in the United States. According to the U.S. and World Population Clock there will be 318.36 Americans as of July 4, 2014.
• It’s estimated that 74 million Americans are planning to barbecue this Independence Day weekend.
• The USDA estimates that the total number of hogs and pigs in the U.S. (as of March 1, 2014) is 62.9 million. Chances are that a hot dog or pork sausage consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa, which is home to 19.7 million hogs and pigs.
• 6.1 billion pounds is the total estimated production of cattle and calves in Texas in 2013. There is a good chance that the beef hot dogs, steaks and burgers on your backyard grill came from the Lone Star State, which accounted for nearly one-sixth of the nation’s total production.
• 6.3 million total cases of beer are sold on Independence Day weekend, the most popular holiday for beer purchases, followed by Labor Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day and Christmas.
• 60.2% of U.S. families owned an American flag in 2011.
• 35.5 million people plan to travel by automobile over the July 4th holiday.
• 3.2 million number of travelers will fly during the Independence Day holiday.

Celebrate Philanthropy on the 4th of July Weekend

Our sense of patriotism, pride and appreciation for living in the United States remains as strong as ever, as evidenced by the many celebrations expected across the country this July 4th.

As we celebrate how proud we are to be Americans on the Fourth of July, take a moment to reflect on all the men and women of the military who have given their lives defending our country and considered ways in which you could honor their sacrifice. Why not give with confidence to military and veteran-related charities this Independence Day?

Here is a Philanthropist List of military charities that you can donate to this Fourth of July weekend:

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation
• Armed Services YMCA of the USA
• Fisher House Foundation
• Homes For Our Troops
• Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
• Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America
• National Military Family Association
• Operation Homefront – N.O.
• Semper Fi Fund / Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund
• United States Veterans Initiative

The Fourth of July allows us to appreciate the lives and freedom that we have as Americans. The U.S. Military is an important service that helps to protect our country and keep it safe. Give thanks to our military for protecting our freedom by making an effort to participate in philanthropy and also encourage others to give this Fourth of July weekend!

Original Source: http://philanthropistlist.com/2014/07/celebrating-fourth-july-philanthropy/ 

How to Be Charitable and Start Giving Back

The concept of charitable giving emerged with the spread of Christianity thousands of years ago as a Theological Virtue–an inherent impulse to help and love all people selflessly and unconditionally. Historians think that charitable giving arose from the Christian custom of tithing, or giving a certain amount of your income and assets to those who were less fortunate. Tithing and charity are also analogous to other world religions such as Judaism, Hinduism and Sunni Islam.

The Need for Charitable Giving

The world is now home to over seven billion people. Some are happy, prosperous and looking forward to each day with hope and optimism.
Others are not so lucky. Why is that? Where did civilization go wrong in making sure all people have access to the necessities of life, such as food, clothing and a place to call home?
No one knows that answer to that powerful question. Philosophers, sociologists, political scientists and other heavy thinkers may speculate on why suffering exists in the world but analyzing the reasons behind poverty won’t help the fact that millions of people need help through no fault of their own.
“You may never know what results come of your action. However, if you do nothing at all, there wil be no results.”–Mahatma Gandhi

Making a Difference in the World and in Yourself Starts with One Simple Act of Charitable Giving

We are alive because it feels good to be alive. We love waking up each morning to warm sunshine, the smell of brewing coffee, the sound of children laughing as they head off to school and the comforting companionship of our loved ones.
When you contribute to a charitable cause, you are helping somebody less fortunate than you are experience the same, wonderful things you experience each day. Imagine dreading to wake up in the morning because you know you are going to face another day without food, shelter, meaning or hope. Imagine trying to better yourself without the resources and encouragement that most people already have–family, friends, enough money to purchase nice clothes, three meals a day and transportation.
“Life’s persistent and most urgent question is–what are you doing for others?”–Martin Luther King Jr.

Making the World a Better Place for Everyone by Giving to a Charitable Cause

When the meaning of life seems elusive or vague, giving to others can give you a sense of purpose and of hope that one day, everyone in this world will find the peace and contentment of knowing they won’t be hungry, homeless or without a way to sustain themselves. Be the person to make that happen. Be charitable, giving and compassionate towards those who are not as fortunate as others.

Original Source: http://www.charitacy.com/charitable-start-giving-back/

Famous Philanthropists

Throughout times past there have been many famous philanthropists, from Aristotle to Victor Hugo, Benjamin Franklin to William Shakespeare, the world has been blessed with the presence of those who were highly privileged yet refused to turn a blind eye to those who were less fortunate.
As with anything throughout the course of history, philanthropy has evolved in many ways; in Ancient Rome philanthropy was built into the economic system, with the wealthiest Romans being expected to contribute wine and grain to the citizens as well as seeing to the upkeep of the city.

In ancient Greece the spirit of giving took on the form of liturgies or funding public tournaments, which benefitted not only the poor but the general public as a whole; in both societies it was believed that this giving was richly rewarded, through both the attainment of honor and the favor of the Gods.

Today’s concept of philanthropy is an interesting mix of social awareness and sound business practice; famous philanthropists from Bill Gates to Warren Buffet, Richard Branson to Mark Zuckerburg, philanthropy has taken on a whole new dimension as social entrepreneurship has entered the mix.

While the more traditional forms of philanthropy, such as willing one’s money to charity after death have long been accepted and admired, today’s most famous philanthropists are an active and passionate breed; sure, they’re contributing enormous sums of money yet at the same time they’re rolling up their sleeves and throwing themselves into the fray in an effort to find powerful and sustainable solutions to solve the world’s problems.

Some of the most notable famous philanthropists are:

Bill Gates:

Is the rich world conscious of how the 4 billion of the 6 billion people live? If we were aware, we would want to help out, we’d want to get involved.

-Bill Gates

Bill Gates was the richest man in the world until he and wife Melinda donated approximately $29 billion through the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to help what Gates calls ‘the bottom 2 billion’, those who eek out a meager existence on less than $2 a day.

Passionate about making a difference, Bill and Melinda are famous philanthropists that have set an actionable goal to make a difference for the millions of children in the world under five who die due to preventable diseases; children who are lost at a staggering rate of one every 20 seconds.

The interesting part is that as of March 2014 Bill Gates had a net worth of $77.5 billion, making him once again the richest man on the planet; Bill and Melinda both are famous philanthropists who work tirelessly toward finding solid workable solutions to make the world a better place.

Warren Buffet:

If you’re in the luckiest 1% of humanity, you owe it to the rest of humanity to think about the other 99%.

-Warren Buffet

A close friend and ally of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet has long been known for his being one of the top famous philanthropists; from raising $15.8 million through an annual auction to benefit the homeless of San Francisco to teaching free online courses aimed at teaching young people about the benefits of philanthropy and donating over $30 billion of his fortune to help those in need, Buffet’s capacity for giving is legendary.

Incidentally, Mr. Buffet is also one of the famous philanthropists of Bill Gates’ billionaire’s club known as the Giving Pledge in which membership is reliant on each billionaire pledging to allocate more than half of their fortune to social enterprises.

Richard Branson:

Ridiculous yachts and private planes and big limousines won’t make people appreciate life more, and it sends out poor messages to those who work for them. It would be so much better if that money was spent in Africa – and it’s about getting a balance.

-Richard Branson

Intrepid entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson is yet another one of the famous philanthropists whose generosity and commitment to social causes has helped to make a difference; from educational charities in Africa to supporting children with AIDS, cancer research and a host of other causes, Sir Richard is one of the famous philanthropists who is true philanthropic hero.

In 2013 he took his place among famous philanthropists who have joined Bill Gates in the Giving Pledge, and he has made the commitment to distribute over half of his fortune to finding sustainable ways to solve some of the world’s most devastating social issues.

While these three famous philanthropists are particularly notable in their passionate fight to even the playing field and distribute the world’s resources to those who live their lives oppressed by preventable illness, hunger and abject poverty, they are not alone.

From Sheryl Sandberg and Mark Zuckerburg to Anthony Robbins and Mohammed Al-Fayed, there are a number of famous philanthropists who are changing the world by giving not only their money but also their precious time to help make the world a more equitable and sustainable place; they are the new breed of philanthropist and they’re creating positive change.

It’s not just about being able to write a check. It’s being able to touch somebody’s life.

-Oprah Winfrey

Original Source: http://philanthropistlist.com/2014/05/famous-philanthropists/

Quotations About Giving to Charity

Quotes About Giving to Charity

“Riches, power and fame last only for a few years! Why do people cling so desperately to these transitory things? Why can’t people who have more than they need for themselves give that surplus to their fellow citizens? Why should some people have such a hard time during their few years on this earth?”
— Anne Frank (diary entry, 1944)

“But history will judge you, and as the years pass, you will ultimately judge yourself, in the extent to which you have used your gifts and talents to lighten and enrich the lives of your fellow men. In your hands lies the future of your world and the fulfillment of the best qualities of your own spirit.”
— Robert F. Kennedy (speech at Berkeley, 1966)

“The race of mankind would perish did they cease to aid each other. We cannot exist without mutual help. All therefore that need aid have a right to ask it from their fellow-men; and no one who has the power of granting can refuse it without guilt.”
— Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832)

“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as I live it is my privilege — my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I love. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me; it is a sort of splendid torch which I’ve got a hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”

— George Bernard Shaw (speech in Brighton, 1907)

Source: Charitacy.com