Building a Better World - How We Can All Contribute

• Posted by Abby Speight
• On September 11, 2008


• Interests: Development

FORGE recently had its biggest ever fundraising event. In the past, we have relied almost exclusively on the fundraising of our Project Managers and on individual private donations, often from friends and long-time supporters. So, it was incredibly exciting to see a room full of people who were learning about our organization for the first time. People were inspired and impressed by the work that FORGE had done in the past. Some even commented on the selfless nature of FORGE’s mission, which brings me to the subject of this blog – convincing people that supporting a nonprofit can actually benefit them.

No, I’m not talking about the warm and fuzzy feeling you get inside when you help someone else out. And no, I’m not talking about the tax breaks that come from charitable contributions (though those are nice). What I am talking about is the idea that most social entrepreneurs get excited about the work they do because they believe that it affects everyone – not just the direct beneficiaries of a certain program or service. A social entrepreneur’s aim is to make change, no matter how small at first, that helps to bring some sort of peace or balance to a broken system.

Let me be more specific. We’ve certainly seen in the recent past that poverty and suffering can help foster problems on the other side of the world that can eventually hit very close to home. There is a strong argument that suicide bombers are products of a life of desperation, and an improvement in their livelihoods can help ensure even our safety. Thus, supporting endeavors that alleviate poverty or create opportunities on the other side of the world can increase the safety we feel in our daily lives.

The same argument can be made for the cycle of war and poverty. When a country is mired in decades of civil war, the entire world loses out – on resources, creative minds, and money that is sent in the form of aid. In this increasingly global economy, it is impossible to ignore the fact that every nation can contribute valuable goods and services to the rest of the world. So, by working towards stability abroad, an organization can improve the long-run well-being in its own country.

While I do think there is a lot of selflessness that goes into supporting nonprofit work, I am eager to see more acknowledgment of the strategic use of one’s own funds. I’d like the donors to commend themselves for doing their bit to help the world, but to simultaneously be proud that in the end they are also helping themselves. After all, there’s no reason everyone can’t win!

• Tags: development

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