Choice in Giving

I just had one of those days where I really enjoy what we do. I love the idea that we don’t tell people WHAT to believe in, we just give them options to give. I gave 2 campaign presentations today, and at one of them, the Executive Director of the organization stood up and said that she gives through paycheck deductions and loves how easy it is. That’s why Community Shares exists – to provide people easy, convenient and no-hassle ways to give. Its so critical that our average donor gives $7 a paycheck – so many of us can afford that.

There are so many organizations out there that think everyone should give to them. The truth is, we all have different passions, different experiences, different causes we believe in… which is why Community Shares is so crucial. And so relevant! When I give my campaign presentations – and when I spoke at the Women In Business Network luncheon – I encouraged people to think about what they believe in and why. That makes giving so much easier… and it makes saying no easier as well. Its ok to say, “No, I’m not going to give to one organization because I am passionate about something else and I give my time and money to what I am passionate about.” Its also ok to give to organizations once a year, and in small amounts. I say this because I have a friend whose mother died of leukemia. So every year when she participates in a fundraising event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I give. But I don’t’ want to get on their mailing list, and I don’t want to be solicited by them otherwise. I want to give only because I care about her and she asks me. And that’s ok – I have every right to decide my own philanthropic giving and have my own personal reasons for it --- we are all entitled to that right.

- Mary Snyders