When I was young, my father and mother emphasized how important it is to give as you have received.
You see, they taught us to tithe at least 10% of our allowance to the church each week. And on top of that, we were encouraged to give more to those in need.
It’s a lesson that’s stayed with me through the years – and it’s a cornerstone of our mission here at NICABM.
That’s why I wanted to share with you that this year, we gave away $450,000 to organizations doing important work to help those in need locally, in the US, and around the world.
I’m sharing this in hopes that it’ll inspire others to give.
Here’s a look at where the money went this year . . .
The World – $142,800
Save the Children (Global Hunger Fund) – $58,300
Addresses the root causes of hunger in the hardest-to-reach places
The Citizens Foundation – $20,000
Builds gender-equal schools in Pakistan
Innovations for Poverty Action – $10,000
Runs randomized controlled trials to assess interventions to reduce poverty
Evidence Action – $10,000
Scales evidence-based programs to reduce the burden of poverty
GiveDirectly – $10,000
Allows donors to send money to those in need with no strings attached
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIAS) – $5,000
Resettling Afghan refugees
The Baa Foundation – $5,000
Provides free health care and education in developing areas of India
Village Impact – $5,000
Provides educational opportunities for children in rural Kenya
Amnesty International – $5,000
Helps fight abuses of human rights worldwide
American Near East Refugee Aid – $5,000
Helps refugees in Palestine and Lebanon
Camfed – $2,500
Provides educational opportunities for girls in rural areas of Africa
Human Rights Watch – $2,500
Conducts research and advocacy on human rights
World Wildlife Foundation – $5,000
Fights for wilderness preservation
Friends of Ecole Agape – $3,000
Supports the only free girls’ school in Haiti
The United States – $230,500
Thurgood Marshall College Fund – $20,000
Supports students at HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions
Equal Justice Initiative – $20,000
Provides legal support to the illegally convicted and unfairly sentenced
The Innocence Project – $20,000
Works to free the innocent and prevent wrongful convictions
Southern Law Poverty Center – $20,000
Specializes in civil rights and public interest litigation
CouldYou? Cup – $16,000
Provides menstrual cups for girls to attend school during their periods
Exodus Transitional Community – $15,000
Provides support for those in transition from incarceration
OneGoal – $15,000
Supports low-income high school and college students in earning degrees
Legal Outreach – $10,000
Provides social and academic support to underserved youth in New York
Rising Tide Capital – $10,000
Aims to transform communities through entrepreneurship
New City Kids – $10,000
Offers after-school programming for low-income youth
Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture – $10,000
Provides educational opportunities for Native Hawaiians
Association on American Indian Affairs – $8,000
Dedicated to protecting the rights of Native Americans
A House on Beekman – $7,500
Provides educational opportunities that support the South Bronx youth
Operation Exodus – $7,500
Provides educational opportunities to NYC Latino youth
GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders)– $5,000
Ensures fair and inclusive representation for LGBTQ acceptance
Human Rights Campaign – $5,000
Fights for LGBTQ+ rights
Center for All Abilities – $5,000
Empowers people of all abilities to thrive
National Indian Council on Aging – $5,000
Advocates for American Indian and Alaska Native Elders
The Bowery Mission – $3,000
Serves homeless and hungry New Yorkers
Salvation Army– $3,000
Meets human needs without discrimination
PBS Foundation – $2,000
Uses media programming to educate, inspire, and entertain
RIP Medical Debt – $1,200
Buys medical debt from collections agencies and forgives it
Alzheimer’s Association – $1,000
Provides Alzheimer’s care, support, and research
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – $1,000
Aims to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide
ASPCA – $1,000
Fights to prevent cruelty to animals
Barre Center for Buddhist Studies – $2,000
Offers the integration, study, and practice of Buddhism
Insight Meditation Community of Washington, DC – $2,000
Offers meditation programs and sangha gatherings
Mass Eye and Ear Foundation – $1,000
Dedicated to eye and ENT care and research
Michigan State University – $1,000
Supports development at MSU
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)– $1,000
Dedicated to improving lives of those affected by mental illness
Provincetown Art Association and Museum – $1,000
Supports local art and artists
Sierra Club -$1,000
Fights for environmental and social justice
Shena Young’s Healing on the Mat – $1,000
Supports Black women survivors of sexual trauma
Taylor University – $1,000
Supports development at Taylor
Framingham State University Foundation – $300
Supports students who otherwise couldn’t afford a college education
Local – $76,700
Covenant Soup Kitchen – $15,000
Windham No Freeze Shelter – $10,000
Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts – $9,500
Windham Area Interfaith Ministry – $5,000
Holy Family Home & Shelter – $5,000
IRIS of CT (Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services) – $5,000
Joshua’s Trust – $5,000
Center for Medicare Advocacy – $5,000
Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network – $5,000
Mansfield Downtown Partnership – $5,000
Community Foundation – Windham Women and Girls Fund – $2,000
Mansfield Holiday Fund – $1,500
New England Public Media – $1,000
Access Community Action Agency – $1,000
Benton Art Museum – $1,000
Town of Mansfield – Farm to Families Fund – $300
Grace Chapel – $300
In Memory of Peter Lohne
UCONN Foundation – $100
In Memory of Anne Smith
Total (World, USA, Local) $450,000
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.
Dave Hunt, Coach, CA says
I give my tithe to Cornerstone of Hope, Calgary Alberta, Canada
I am also a Facilitator for childrens and adult programs. I am also a board member and co-director of the summer Camp.
This Charity helps those who have lost a loved one from Divorce Separation or Death. I have been involved since January of 2012 and still love it.
There is nothing more rewarding than to have a child come in to our program who is (for 2 years) non-talking. By the end of the second class, he told his mother that he loved her. I still tear up when I recite that incident. I love seeing the people, children and adults, grow from the time they start our programs until the end when they are finished. Greater still are the rewards they get when they decide they want to help with future classes and help others with what they succeeded in through our programs.
Please ask questions or reference to:
email; davehunt768@gmail.com
Er, Other, AU says
1.The courage & resilience of those for whom the “systems” have failed, face the most horrendous injustices, but don’t give up & keep facing each day as it comes.
2. The passion & dedication of staff & volunteers in not for profit organisations working tirelessly to improve the lives of the most vulnerable of our communities.
John Haw, Nursing, Ashland , OR, USA says
There is a amazing organization in Eugene OR called CAHOOTS. They intervene in situations where they are more appropriate than the police. There is a good bit of information on line since the murder of George Floyd. They have been overwhelmed by requests to train people from other communities to do this work. That is what I would recommend supporting. They are are a model for the whole country. As a nurse I have not been involved with them, I’m three hours away.
There is a group in this area that was going to try to organize a similar program here but I haven’t been able to follow up on what they are doing.
Doctors Without Borders isn’t a bad bet either.
Lisa NA, Another Field, NA, CO, USA says
I don’t give back I share what I have when I have it. I give of myself and my time to the youth and families who need help, on call at times.
If I had abundance then I would give in the same manner. I currently have zero resources to care for myself and family. I was not taught how to manage money, just get bills paid. Health and head injuries have reduced my ability to work like I used to. I’m not dead so I work with anyone in need whom God brings or where I am led to share my skills to help another. I’d like to be more specific and organized to provide the new work I do. I’m adding a new field of work to what I do.
I work with homeless youth and young adults who are struggling. I am working to put together a structured environment with opportunities that help youth, families, and communities to have a place for help that keeps the kids from falling through the social system cracks. Our systems are crumbling and failing. The rampant chaos all over our country is proof. Kids are confused of what gender they are, rejection of reality is now accepted as way of life, coddling predators and abusers while turning the other cheek to not deal with the reality of abuse, sex education is taught by one sided views with no education around emotional intelligence, fake and redirection news is the accepted news, our country is arguing more than resolving, there is little to no protection from public service authorities, morally disconnected persons are in charge of policy and rule making, and laws or codes of conduct are blatantly ignored by those who put them in place and used to suppress others. There is zero balance. There is serious lack of truth. There are despicable lies in all we have been taught is real, pick a subject!
How are the kids and youth supposed to navigate this alone while self destructing because that’s the only thing they know. Sad. I walk life with those who need help to survive and find themselves. I do not try to tell anyone what things are or aren’t truth, unless gas lighting and abuser tactics are present in situations that bring us together. I am newly an instructor focused on child abuse prevention and awareness. The fact there was a lull of advocacy in child abuse prevention along with lack of mental health support leads me to believe those in charge at that time were deliberately a part of the crumbling in our present now. Why is human trafficking not on the news? Why are our failing foster care systems unchecked? We have lost what Sacred means. Everyone is important, no other way about it.
Hope this isn’t too much, however it is what it is, and this is what I’m trying to help our youth with as we garden and “work it out” while gaining new self care and good healthy lifestyle skills. It takes a village and I’m thankful for those that help me help my youth.
Patricia Eltinge, Counseling, North Palm Beach, FL, USA says
I give 2 hours of my time every Thursday: LATalkRadio.com Empowered Communication 4pm-6pm PST (7pm-9pm EST)
Live call-in show for Relationships (1st hr) Dreams (2nd hr).
I also gave $650 to The Order Of St. John, Knights Hospitaller
1.to aid the sick and the poor. 2. and Dogs For The Blind
Laura Abbott, Health Education, Cabot, AR, USA says
In 2012, I was left for dead after being assaulted me with a truck. My family and I went through the criminal court process , including a six “day” trial. After going this arduous journey, my family and I began to donate our time, resources, and lived peer experience to help address gaps in areas of victims’ rights and resources. We created Victims’ Rights Arkansas. Arkansas remains one of handful of states lacking a state constitutional amendment for victims’ rights. We believe the rights of the defendant and victim can be balanced in the judicial system. In the meantime, we will continue to volunteer or time and efforts in raising awareness on the victims’ rights laws throughout our state and the nation.
Julieta Rushford, Chiropractor, South Burlington, VT, USA says
Thank you!
Karen M., Other, AU says
How do I give back? My parents were battlers who taught me, ‘to receive you must first give’. I give to my family who are less fortunate than myself, I give to others who are among the most vulnerable in society. Mostly, I give my time and show respect and dignity to others who have nothing to give.
Leslie Harding, Other, Shoreline, WA, USA says
My career was spent at the University of Washington in Seattle. I donated to charity through our Combined Fund Drive. I was a coordinator and promoter as well.
I am now retired and I still donate to my charities, but I now have time to donate in other ways as well. I sew pillowcases and quilt tops for various charitable endeavors, and find great satisfaction in giving a gift in a more personal way.
Una Starr, Psychotherapy, Denison, TX, USA says
How do I give back? I take very good care of my family. I help raise babies and children in my family whose parents are not available to do so. I provide pro bono therapy to clients who may not otherwise receive therapy. I donate funds to different first responders’ organizations, my local church, children who participate in fundraisers for their schools and family members who struggle financially. I also mentor younger and less experienced therapists when given the opportunity.
Una Starr, Psychotherapy, Denison, TX, USA says
What inspires me to give? When I see a need in people (babies, children, teenagers, adults all ages) who are unable to get the help they need on their own and animals in need as well, I am drawn to and compelled to help them where and however I can.
Michelle Small, Another Field, Lewiston, ME, USA says
The mental health and care of animals. I volunteer to sit with rescue dogs and hold paws.
Dempsey Center for Quality Cancer Care
Supports those with a cancer impact with all services at no cost. Volunteer/fundraiser and work
Alzheimer’s research donate generously.