Ever since I was a little girl, my mother and father emphasized the importance of giving back.
I’ve always admired how, even when we didn’t have much, they taught us to tithe and give 10% of our allowance to the church. Not only that, but they also encouraged us to give an offering beyond our tithe to those in need.
That one important lesson has stayed with me throughout my life. And it’s why here at NICABM, one of our long-standing goals is to continue that core value by giving back.
In 2021, we gave away $720,000 to organizations doing important work locally, in the US, and across the globe.
I’m sharing this in hopes that it’ll inspire others. Here’s a look at where the money went:
The World – $405,100
Save the Children – $50,000
Providing health services and cash transfers for buying food to those in Afghanistan
Village Impact – $50,000
Building an all-girls high school in Kenya
International Rescue Committee – $50,000
$10,000 designated to resettle Afghan refugees
The Citizens Foundation – $35,000
Building gender-equal schools in Pakistan
UN World Food Programme – $30,000
Providing food to those in Afghanistan
Partners In Health – $30,000
Doctors Without Borders – $30,000
$10,000 designated to provide medical care in Afghanistan
Innovations for Poverty Action – $20,000
Running randomized controlled trials to evaluate interventions to reduce poverty
Evidence Action – $20,000
Scaling evidence-based and cost-effective programs to reduce the burden of poverty
Camfed – $15,000
Paying school fees for girls in impoverished areas
CouldYou? Cup – $15,000
Providing menstrual cups for girls in Mozambique so they can go to school during their periods
Hebrew Immigration and Refugee Service (HIAS) – $10,000
Resettling Afghan refugees
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIAS) – $10,000
Resettling Afghan refugees
Amnesty International – $10,000
Direct Relief – $10,000
American Near East Refugee Aid – $6,000
Human Rights Watch – $5,000
World Wildlife Foundation – $5,000
Friends of Ecole Agape – $3,000
Supporting the only free girls’ school in Haiti
Balule Wildlife Trust – $1,000
Anti-poaching in South Africa
Caring Bridge – $100
The United States – $111,300
UpTogether – $10,000
Cash transfers to low-income families from marginalized communities
The Bowery Mission – $10,000
GiveDirectly – $10,000
Cash transfers to low-income Americans and disaster relief
OXFAM America – $10,000
OneGoal – $10,000
Supporting low-income high school and college students in earning their degrees
Girls Who Code – $10,000
Closing the gender gap in tech jobs
National Coalition for the Homeless – $10,000
RIP Medical Debt – $5,000
Buying medical debt from collections agencies and forgiving it
Salvation Army– $5,000
GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders)– $5,000
Human Rights Campaign – $5,000
PBS Foundation – $5,000
Insight Meditation Community of Washington, DC – $2,000
Barre Center for Buddhist Studies – $2,000
Sierra Club -$2,000
Provincetown Art Association and Museum – $2,000
Green America – $1,000
Mass Eye and Ear Foundation – $1,000
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health)– $1,000
Taylor University – $1,000
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – $1,000
Michigan State University – $1,000
Alzheimers Association – $1,000
ASPCA – $1,000
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia) – $300
Local – $203,600
UCONN Foundation – $77,875
$55,000 designated to starting a human rights film festival in eastern Connecticut.
$20,875 designated to sponsorhip of Jorgenson Digital Stage presentations for the 2021/2022 season.
Windham Area Interfaith Ministry – $20,000
Covenant Soup Kitchen – $15,000
IRIS of CT (Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services) – $15,000
Resettling Afghan refugees in Connecticut
Holy Family Home & Shelter – $10,000
Windham No Freeze Shelter – $10,000
Community Foundation – Windham Women and Girls Fund – $5,000
Joshua’s Trust – $10,000
Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network – $5,000
Access Community Action Agency – $6,000
Center for Medicare Advocacy – $5,000
New England Public Radio – $5,000
Quiet Corner Refugee Resettlement (via WAIM) – $5,000
Resettling Afghan refugees in the greater Willimantic area
Benton Art Museum – $3,000
Mansfield Downtown Partnership – $2,000
Mansfield Holiday Fund – $1,500
Booth & Dimock Memorial Library – $500
Our Companions (Animal Shelter) – $500
Total (World, USA, Local): $720,000
Now this is the most we’ve ever given away in a single year, and next year we hope to donate even more.
But for now, I’d like to hear from you. What inspires you to give? I’m always eager to hear how you give back to your community, whether that’s with time, money, or resources. So please, leave a comment below to share the important work you do.
What a comprehensive list of great organizations doing good in the world. As one who has lived and worked in developing nations, these dollars go far! Thank you for your generosity. I’m inspired to give because I’ve been given so much. I primarily support anti-poverty, anti-trafficking in persons, environmental, youth, and the arts organizations.
Thank you for being a model in serving humanity. I wish good health, so you can continue to inspire others
I gave to St. Labre Indian School, PBS and Homeless people in Portland ME about $20.00 a month. Also like to donate to environmental causes, National Wildlife Federation and the Nature Conservancy. Also donate to VOANNE on Amazon plus I volunteer at a school as Foster Grandparent.
Thank you for caring and your service.
My favs are Soi Dog, Sheldrick Wildlife, SPANA, Animals Asia. I am on disability and do lots of the courses with you. Studying to be a trauma counsellor where someone has a chronic illness, cptsd, aces etc… I have cptsd, 27 yrs fibromyalgia and it’s time to give back via being a therapist.
I love this! It is a reminder that we are abundant at our core and giving is our true nature.
I offer support and moral assistance as I have been councling and listening to others for three years
Inspiring! You’ve helped me envision an aspect of the new work we’re building. 🙏❤️
Aamirah Khan . Psychotherapist in Aylesbury . Bucks . U.K.
Thank you for your reminder of the importance to give and for all the people you have helped .🙏 It’s inspirational and I always love your content .
As a Muslim I was always taught to give 2.5 percent of all our savings to those in need every year called zakat . This was just something I did. Now I am so glad that is something I am used to doing . But recently I have realised the importance of that even more and also understand that as a psychotherapist I am here to serve others and what I do will be what comes back to me . So now as someone starting my own psychotherapy business I am thinking about it in another way rather than getting clients I am going to think of ways I can serve others by giving and the money as a reward for this will take care of itself . So basically never stop giving and never see it as a waste as the universe has a way of giving it back when the intention is pure . Still working on this idea but hope to give more next year . Love this post .😊 Thankyou .
Thank you for sharing this. I’m glad I discovered NICAMB this year, and am impressed with the content you offer. I am especially grateful for the donations that have been given this year 🙏. I give to several local charities and see a few clients pro bono, especially the homeless. Hope we all have a peaceful 2022. I am hoping to become proficient in EMDR this year and to value my self and my experience more to build a sustainable private practice.
I strongly believe in giving back both financially and in time.
I support a local vocational center for the disabled, foster, and post-foster care centers, such as Place of Hope and SOS Village, the Faulk Center who offer free counseling to those in need, St. Jude, and the like.
I also give my time to local independent living centers, Trustbridge Hospice Care, houses of worship offering continuous complimentary support groups for caregivers and those who are grieving. However, COVID has unfortunately limited my giving of time. Pray 2022 brings hope and safety for all.
Hi, your give back is impressive, and the recipients list is long and worthy.
As a life coach and self-designated best life advocate, I give back by offering my coaching time/sessions pro-bono to those who are unable to pay my rates but are in need of that listening ear who can help them get some immediate clarity and insights on a burning issue they have.
I have given many hours to the Jay Shetty Genius community, and I am constantly seeking and giving to other worthy programs/communities I get involved in.
You are a Bodhisatva of Compassion. Thank you for your giving to those in need and to those making this world a better place. You are one of those who make this world better by sharing your inner gifts and your own prosperity.
Dallas Leigh Atkins
Elder Care Law Attorney and Marriage and Family Therapist
So grateful to you Diane for all that you give in this way and for all you give to us as members of the healing community and how that flows through to all those we are given the privilege of walking with in our professional and non professional lives. Words cannot express the depth of my gratitude to you and your team. Much love Robyn
Wow! That is an amazing and heartwarming list! My parents instilled similar lessons when I was a child. It is a blessing to share! Thank you!
With Gratitude for your generosity provided for programs and organizations throughout Global and Local communities. Your programs are great, your heart even Bigger!
Warmest Aloha to all for 2022!
Thank you for sharing this information with us. It feels so important to know where the money goes, and I am really happy about all your contributions. Your sharing inspires me to continue my work to support Palestinian women and Afghanistan women.
Thank you for sharing this valuable list!
Appreciate the ripples in giving back….❤️
WOW I am so impressed! Mahalo (thank you) for your generosity! It all comes back to us!!
Amazing 🙏🙏🙏
I give back by doing a probono client at all times. When one completes treatment I accept someone else in need. I also work with Open Path to provide reduced fee services for those who need it. My fee for children is reduced for all children.
Beautiful. . . thank you <3
As a social worker who purchases your training and the CEO of a community based non profit, it warms my heart to see your commitment to supporting our sector. Thank you for your generousity!
Thank you for your abundance and generosity. I love the NICABM classes and knowing that portion of the cost for the classes is given in donations to so many wonderful organizations. 🙏🏼
This is so incredibly impressive. I have recently launched a business and once profitable intend to give away a percentage of profits to organisations that work with young people. To reach a target like this, would be a dream come true.
I have been mentoring a young boy for the last 2 years, who has recently be placed into the social care system. I regularly support friends and family who are fundraising as well the Children’s Society.
I donate especially different organisations who care for orphans in the world. And more in general I donate for countries with food problems.
Indeed, this is an important message. I stung from the same tradition and over time it evolved in sponsoring 7 children from different countries until they age out and supporting displaced elderly Jewish people struggling to make ends meet. For me what inspires me to do what I do is my love for Jesus Christ.
That really is inspiring :)) Thank You much for sharing..
What a beautifull message !
I too come from a tradition off giving and helping those in need. I started studying to be a counsellor in my community once my youngest child was in high school. Today 10 years later I love that I am part of a charity organisation, working with teenagers and helping them recognise the strengths and talents they have within,in order to be the best they can be in whatever life may bring them .
Thank you Nicabm for what you give me too .
Jacky
As a child I, too, was taught to tithe 10% and then to give an additional generous offering and have continued to follow that instruction throughout my life. It has always brought a sense of peace to me. Additionally, offering a lending ear and a shoulder of support to others has been a way for my to contribute to the betterment of the world around me.
I have given many , many hours of my time to visiting patients in hospital. crisis intervention, church activities and several non profit organizations. This is how I give back to my community. It has also given me great joy and purpose over the years. In my case that statement “I get far more than I give”, is very true