My Nonprofit Reviews

Giving isn't a single solitary act. Giving is a conversation.

Over the last few year's I have donated my birthday to charities. I started a five year long commitment to donate each birthday, from 26 to 30 to the most effective charities I could find. I did this in hopes of opening a dialog with those around me about charity work and where we choose to donate. Often we think of our philanthropic work as secret or something we shouldn't or can't talk about because it would be seen as boastful.

Sadly this means that many of us don't get to celebrate each other and ourselves for the fantastic work we do in the world. It also means that we don't always talk about how we choose the charities and causes we donate to. Because we regard our philanthropy as so private we loose out on the opportunity to share notes and compare stories around giving. We loose out on the opportunity to learn about new programs, and think critically about our giving decisions.

This year I am donating to the Against Malaria Foundation. Malaria is a preventable disease that still kills thousands around the world, most of whom are children under the age of five. AMF has continuously been shown to be one of the most transparent, through and life saving nonprofits around, which is why I choose to support them.

As a way to encourage people to donate, and a way to be able to talk about these causes year round, I agreed to get a tattoo to commemorate each charity I raise money for if we reach our goal. Each tattoo in the series is an element and the complete set covers a wide spectrum of giving opportunities. The main symptom of malaria is a high fever so this year's elemental tattoo is fire. http://www.sydsbirthdaychallenge.com/

We have already raised nearly $2000, all of it from friends and family who likely would not have donated this money otherwise. Another friend has even decided to match every $27 donation in our fundraising efforts, as a way to encourage everyone to donate more.

I have spent a lot of time talking with friends, family, acquaintances, and even people I barely know about how and why I choose the charities I do and why I spend my birthday asking other people to give. My interactions are almost universally positive, and people usually as insightful honest questions. Opening the dialog about our giving has inspired many to give, or give more, and has inspired them to talk about their choices with others.

Giving isn't a single solitary act. It isn't something we do just for ourselves in the dark. It is something we do to make the world a little brighter and the more we shine a light on it and celebrate great philanthropy the better and stronger we will be.