For families emerging from crisis, the holiday season can be a challenging time. At The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, we aim to ensure that families in need have everything to make their house a home, and during the holidays, we are lucky enough to connect families in need with companies who are interested in serving the community.
Category: Blog
One of your many responsibilities as a parent is to make sure your children grow to become kind, compassionate adults. An important aspect in achieving this is to teach them the importance of giving to charity and being charitable. Here are some ways you can teach giving fundamentals to kids who are first learning to give.
Tips for Teaching Giving to Children
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Have a Conversation About Giving to Charity
The first step towards your children understanding charity is simply having a conversation with them. Tell them about the importance of helping others, the good feeling you get inside your heart when you are charitable, and ask them if they can think of any ways that they can give to others. Listing off examples of various ways that they can give, and the types of things that they can give can also help paint the picture for them.
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Ask Them Where They Want to Give
When teaching giving to children, it is important to let them have a say in how they donate. If you force them to give back, it is going to send the wrong message; rather, help them understand their potential impact and why giving is a good thing to do so they’ll want to partake in the act of giving on their own. By allowing them to decide where, what, and how they want to give, you’ll teach them that they have agency over how they donate their time, talent, and treasure to charity. However, if they can’t think of anywhere to donate to, try to show them examples of ways to be charitable that appeal to their interests. For example, if they really like animals, you can look up what donations your local animal shelter is currently seeking.
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Make Giving Back a Parent-child Activity
Another important aspect of teaching giving to children is leading by example by being a charitable role model. For example, when putting together a bag of items to donate, show your kids what you’re going to donate and explain why you’re donating it. Then, you can help them go through their own clothes or toys while explaining the joy their old items of good quality can bring to those less fortunate. They’ll quickly understand the value of giving and better understand what types of goods are suitable to donate.
When you and your children are ready to begin giving back, The Mustard Seed of Central Florida is an excellent place to start.
Teach Giving at The Mustard Seed of Central Florida
The mission of The Mustard Seed of Central Florida Furniture and Clothing Bank is to help rebuild the lives of families and individuals who have suffered disaster or personal tragedy by providing household furnishings and clothing while being environmentally responsible to our community. Consider donating your funds, furniture, or time by calling us today at (407) 875-2040.
Donating to a charity is a fantastic way to help those who are less fortunate. For most, deciding to donate to a charitable organization is easy. However, knowing who to donate to is often the hard part. With over 1.5 million non-profits in the U.S., it’s difficult to know which are the best charities to donate to. Follow these tips to help you make the most informed decision when you choose a charity.
Tips on Finding the Best Charities To Donate To
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Follow your heart.
Choosing an organization that focuses on a cause close to your heart is a great place to start when considering which non-profit to donate to. So, take some time to think about the causes you’re most deeply passionate about
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Do your homework.
There will likely be a few different organizations focusing on your cause. You can significantly narrow down your options and ensure you’ll be making an impact by searching online for legitimate non-profits that have 501(c)(3) status.
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Follow the money.
Unfortunately, not all organizations are as reputable as they claim. One way you can separate the legit organization from the rest is by tracking how the donated funds are dispersed. For example, if more than 20% of donations go towards annual administration costs, then you should red flag that “non-profit.”
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Research the organization.
There are many reputable organizations who may take positions that you may not agree with. Therefore, it might be helpful to look into the organization’s viewpoints, stances, and past actions to get a better picture if it is the type of organization that you should support.
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Consider donating locally.
Before landing on an organization to donate to, don’t forget to consider local organizations that are serving the community right outside your door. One such organization, The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, is the best charity to donate to in the Orlando area.
Choose a Charity That Makes a Difference
The mission of The Mustard Seed of Central Florida Furniture and Clothing Bank is to help rebuild the lives of families and individuals who have suffered disaster or personal tragedy by providing household furnishings and clothing while being environmentally responsible to our community. Consider donating your funds, furniture, or time by calling us today at (407) 875-2040.
Giving to charity can benefit both donors and recipients not only by helping a worthy cause but also by reducing the donor’s tax return. Here are a few rules on how to make a tax deductible donation the next time you’re giving to charity.
What can I deduct when giving to charity?
You can deduct anywhere from 20-50% of your adjusted gross income on your tax return, depending on what organizations you donate to. Certain private foundations or organizations will have a lower limit. This deduction limit counts for every donation you make per year. If you contribute more than the 50% limit, it can be applied to a return in the future through a process called carryover.
How can I claim tax-deductible donations?
To claim your tax-deductible donations, you’ll fill out the Schedule A on your return. This is where all itemized deductions are listed, including charitable contributions. Itemizing can be a time-consuming process, but it’ll go by quicker if you keep receipts of all of your contributions.
Things to Keep in Mind When Giving to Charity
There are a few things to remember about tax-deductible donations to maximize your return.
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Check the organization’s status:
Donations will only count on your tax return if they’re made to a tax-exempt organization. Check to make sure the organization is a certified 501(c)(3) group as defined by the Internal Revenue Code.
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Keep track of your contributions:
Make sure you write down all your donations, no matter how large or small. These include bank statements, receipts, or W-2 forms if you automatically donate from your paycheck. If you donate cash or property worth more than $250, the IRS requires a written letter of acknowledgment. If you deduct at least $500 worth of noncash contributions, fill out Form 8283.
Make Your Tax-deductible Donations with The Mustard Seed
If you’re looking for a place to make a difference, consider The Mustard Seed Furniture and Clothing Bank. Our mission is to rebuild the lives of families and individuals who have suffered disaster or personal tragedy by providing household furnishings and clothing while being environmentally responsible to our community. We believe in integrity, respect, commitment, compassion and service while giving back to the local Orlando community. To donate your funds, furniture, or time, call us at 407-875-2040.
Impact giving is a new model of philanthropic altruism in which an impact philanthropist endeavors to personally make a difference in the world and ensure their gift will deliver significant, specific, and long term results. However, the implications of philanthropic impact giving are vastly different from other models of philanthropy.
Here are a few easy ways to get the most bang for your buck when charitable impact giving.
4 Ways to Maximize Your Impact Giving
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Prioritize Your Focus to Make a Strong Philanthropic Impact
While it may be tempting to donate a little bit to several organizations, that is not the way to go if you want to make the most impact. To truly make a big impact, simply focus on a single organization and donate all that you intend, rather than spreading smaller donations around.
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Do Some Research on Nonprofits
Before deciding on which organization to donate to, it is really important to do some research to see if making a donation will really make an impact. Some nonprofits are more focused on those in charge of them instead of the people they claim to help. A good way to see if the organization that you are considering is transparent and trustworthy is by finding out how much they spend on administrative costs every year. If the annual amount is more than 20% of what is donated, scratch them off your list.
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Strategize Your Impact Giving
Charitable organizations tend to maximize the benefits of your contribution when more general funds are contributed. However, there are different ways to give that can increase your philanthropic impact.
Make unrestricted gifts.
Charitable organizations tend to maximize the benefits of your contribution when more general funds are contributed. By providing general support to a non-profit, you can give the charity the flexibility to use the funds at their discretion towards areas that need critical support. This helps them do the most good and deliver stronger, and more impactful, results.
Group your impact giving.
Pooling your donations with other contributing family members or friends is a great way to start a giving tradition and make a larger impact than you otherwise could on your own.
Give a multi-year gift.
Pledge to long-term support of a charity you love by planning a multi-year charitable impact commitment that you contribute to each year.
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Donate Locally to Witness Your Personal Impact
One way to see how your impact giving has made a direct difference is by choosing to donate to a local organization that serves your community. One great organization located in the Orlando area is The Mustard Seed of Central Florida.
Make a Charitable Impact at The Mustard Seed
The mission of The Mustard Seed of Central Florida Furniture and Clothing Bank is to help rebuild the lives of families and individuals who have suffered disaster or personal tragedy by providing household furnishings and clothing while being environmentally responsible to our community. Consider donating your funds, furniture, or time by calling us today at (407) 875-2040.
Giving back to the community, no matter how big or small, is an important way to improve lives, encourage growth, and build and restore relationships in your local area. Such community philanthropy typically involves giving of your time, talent, and treasure. Each of those are great ways to give back to the community.
Helping Communities Through Volunteering
Volunteering is one of the most altruistic and inexpensive ways of giving back. Every community has members who are struggling and less fortunate. When facing these tragedies, such individuals can feel isolated, hopeless, and alone. Therefore, donating your time is a valuable way to give back to the community.
Ways to give of your time can include:
- Volunteering at a food or clothes bank
- Serving food at a soup kitchen
- Visiting a nursing home
- Spending time with patients at a hospital
- Helping out at a homeless shelter
Donating your time to support those in your community can also be extremely beneficial for you. Studies show that people who volunteer regularly are healthier both physically and mentally. Volunteering will expose you to new people, both volunteers and those in need, who can enrich your life through conversation and camaraderie. Furthermore, individuals who have volunteered in their lifetime typically live longer and enjoy a healthier mental well-being.
In addition to the health benefits, volunteering can give you a sense of purpose. The fulfilling feeling of giving back and contributing to society is unmatched.
Giving Back Through Donations
Money is an essential part of everyday life, therefore monetary donations would definitely be a welcome way to help out your community. However, you don’t have to give thousands of dollars to make a difference. Even giving one dollar can impact the community and the people who call it home.
From collecting spare change to donating a large check, everyone can afford to pitch in a little bit to help their community prosper. By reaching out your hand through charitable giving and volunteer work, you can help disenfranchised members of your community feel truly welcomed.
You can also donate other treasures to your community, like gently used clothing, housewares, and furniture. Churches, missions, and furniture and clothing banks like The Mustard Seed of Central Florida will gladly welcome any donation you can offer your community.
Give Back to the Community by Donating to The Mustard Seed
The mission of The Mustard Seed of Central Florida Furniture and Clothing Bank is to help rebuild the lives of families and individuals who have suffered disaster or personal tragedy by providing household furnishings and clothing while being environmentally responsible to our community. Consider donating your funds, furniture, or time by calling us today at (407) 875-2040.
The reasons for giving are different for everyone. Perhaps it is a family tradition in your household or maybe you are personally determined to make a positive impact in the world. Maybe it’s both. The truth is, most people have more than one influence motivating them to give. Whatever your reason, breaking down the psychology behind giving can help you understand why you might be motivated to donate to charity and which cause is worthy of your time.
Why People Donate to Charity
Studies in behavioral science show that people typically give money to charities because their spirit of goodwill is in full swing. However, there are other reasons to give that span each end of the altruism spectrum. Here are four common reasons why people choose to donate to charity.
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Personal Connection to a Cause
A personal experience or intimate connection to a specific cause can spark life-long contributions from donors. For example, maybe a donor gives to a homeless shelter because they experienced similar hardship at some point in their life and are empathic to the cause, or perhaps they donate to cancer research because they lost a loved one to the disease. Such passionate advocates will not only give from their wallet, but also devote their time to spreading the good word about the charity closest to their heart.
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Self-served Giving
Driven by egoism, some people donate to receive a personal benefit, show off their wealth, or impress others on social media. However, not all displays of egoism are rooted in narcissism. That is because people generally want to feel good about themselves. Giving to those who are less fortunate will lead to warm, fuzzy feelings and a satisfying sense of pride in serving others, and that’s not a bad thing at all.
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Tax Write-off
Some donors are incentivized by the financial benefit of giving, like the money-saving tax breaks offered in exchange for giving to a 501(c)(3) public charity.At the end of the year, donors will receive a taxable receipt of their charitable deductions, which they will include when they file their tax returns. Donors in the 15% tax bracket, for instance, will save 15% of the tax on a $100 donation. Such tax breaks can be quite motivating.
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Kindness of Their Hearts
Sometimes people give just to give. Truly altruistic donors donate to charity because they want to help people in need. Whether they’re doing their civil duty to fight social inequality because of their moral values or they’re practicing their religious beliefs through tithes and offerings, kind-hearted donors are committed to charitable giving simply because it’s the right thing to do.
Choose Charity by Giving to The Mustard Seed
The mission of The Mustard Seed of Central Florida Furniture and Clothing Bank is to help rebuild the lives of families and individuals who have suffered disaster or personal tragedy by providing household furnishings and clothing while being environmentally responsible to our community.
Consider donating your funds, furniture, or time by calling us today at (407) 875-2040.
