Growing up, I developed friendships with people from all walks of life. In our community, there were many immigrant and refugee families. I saw, early on, some of the struggles that came with moving to a completely new country. As I moved through my education journey from student to teacher, my understanding of the needs of immigrant and refugee families increased — and so did my desire to help.
I saw how little things like new clothes, free school meals and adequate school supplies could help relieve stress and nudge folks a little closer to success. Seeing the tangible impact made by things I took for granted in my own life brought on the realization that supporting such families wasn’t some million-dollar dream. It was new socks and underwear. It was shoes. It was crayons and colored pencils.
Realizing how simple and sustainable charitable giving could be was my first step. Giving personally and mobilizing my fans was the next step. I’m going to trace those steps in more detail, so that anyone interested can set out on their own giving journey.
Select Your Charity
I had my “why” for giving. Once I identified the folks I wanted to help, I also had my “who.” But I still had to decide “what” charity to engage with to reach those folks and “how” to make my support sustainable.
I found Lighthouse Charities by doing a quick Google search for charities in my area. My criteria were simple: do good stuff and don’t be religiously affiliated. However, you might have a specific cause or issue in mind. What are you personally passionate about? There are numerous nonprofits out there, with a wide range of missions. Look for one that reflects and aligns with your values.
Alternatively, you might want to consider geography. In addition to the big international organizations we have all heard of, there are small, local charities in your area. I choose to support locally because I appreciate seeing the impact of my contribution and the growth it can help people achieve in their lives.
If you have even a general idea of what sort of organization you want to support, or in what region, you are ready for the next step. There is a wealth of information and opinion online about nonprofit organizations, and there are numerous resources to help you decide and start making an impact. Obviously, you can Google! But here are some other potential places to start:
Family and Friends
Are people you love already engaged in giving? People close to us, who share our values, can help start your wheels turning when it comes to figuring out charitable organizations you might support. Pick their brains about which causes and groups they give to, and why. Giving is more fun with friends!
Community Foundations
While the presence and size of community foundations will vary by community, if your community has one, take advantage of this resource to find groups in need of support. Since community foundations provide grants that fund nonprofits and their programs, they are often tightly networked with local charitable groups. You can also donate directly to such foundations, which pool donor funds to support specific outcomes and amplify individual impact in the community.
Guidestar (Guidestar.org)
This is a great place to review prior tax documentation, contact information, general programming information and organizational demographics. A one-stop shop to start your search and connect with charitable nonprofit organizations, Guidestar has many databases that can facilitate your research.
United Way (UnitedWay.org)
United Way has thousands of local offices around the world serving nonprofits and donors through programming, research and grant-making. Find your local United Way and reach out to learn whether the charity you’re considering is engaged with the United Way and what impact the United Way sees from the organization’s mission.
These last two resources especially can also help you figure out things like whether a particular organization has a passing grade in terms of how well and wisely they utilize donor funds. Are they losing money by throwing lavish fundraisers? Or do their events truly help them meet their development goals by “friendraising” — bringing new people into the organization’s mission and expanding the donor base?
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Jot down any questions you plan to ask when you talk to different charities. This will help you eliminate groups that may not be a good fit, and narrow down your list. Some questions to consider might include:
• What kind of support is most needed? Does this align with what I’m willing to do?
• Does the board of directors fully participate in giving to the organization? Spoiler alert: As the governing body, it’s a best practice for 100% of board members to donate to the organization, even if it’s a symbolic, low-dollar donation.
• Is this organization collaborating with others in the community? How?
Ask to speak to volunteers, current and past board members and staff. Many organizations are happy to provide tours or meet a potential donor for a cup of coffee. They want you to feel confident that your donations will be put to good use.
Make It Sustainable
Remember I mentioned figuring out how to make my support sustainable? That’s important too. How much money do you want to give to the organization, and how often do you want to make those contributions?
There’s also the question of whether to link your charitable giving with your performer persona. Doing so can enable you to reach more people and funnel more support toward your charity of choice. Supporting nonprofit organizations is a powerful way to build community and connection with your fans. You can boost your impact by joining forces with your favorite performers and industry all-stars, too.
Once I picked an organization, I decided to support it in a way that allowed my fans to participate conveniently as well: an Amazon wish list for items families need to set up their apartments. You can also arrange other avenues. For instance, one of my fans donates shoes using his company’s donation budget.
You just have to figure out how much of yourself you want to share with the organization you’re supporting. Maybe you prefer to keep your giving separate from your performing. You can even give anonymously.
And Remember…
Charitable giving is not a lifetime commitment. Your priorities can change. Your ability to give can change. The organization can change. It’s a good idea to review your giving annually and decide if you want to stay the course or explore something new.
Most charitable contributions are tax-deductible, which can be a great benefit too, but you’ll want to consult a CPA to learn more about how this applies to you. For instance, it may not be worth it to go through the process of itemizing your charitable deductions in a given year.
Don’t worry, your money still did good things. The important thing is seeing a need and taking action. Giving feels good. Everyone wins.
Lexi Luna is a content creator and adult star who can be followed at iWantLexi.com.
