Giving as Good as You Get

Giving as Good as You Get
by David Bach

While many of us are making plans with our families and putting the final touches on our Thanksgiving menus, there are millions of Americans -- approximately 33 million, actually -- who don't know where or when they're going to get their next meal.

Did you know that more than 8 million Americans regularly go hungry? Or that 3.5 million have no permanent place to live?

Reflect and Be Thankful

On a global basis, the situation is even bleaker. Roughly one out of every five people -- more than 840 million -- is malnourished. Upward of 153 million of them are children under the age of 5.

I refer to these statistics not to depress you, but rather as a call to action. As we head into the holiday season, I'm asking each person who reads this to take a few moments to reflect and recognize all that you have to be thankful for.

Once you do, decide how you can make your life more meaningful while also helping to make the world a better place. The best way I know how to do this is to give.

Give to Get Rich

One incredible truth has stood the test of time: The more you give, the more you receive. This notion -- that the more we give back to others, the more comes back into our lives -- is practically a law of nature.

Over the years, I've seen firsthand that the "have mores" give more. I don't think this is a coincidence. People who give to help others in need -- by donating money, time, energy, or expertise -- live longer, happier, and wealthier lives.

But while money makes life easier, it can't always bring happiness. Real happiness comes from living a life of meaning. Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we earn, but we make a life by what we give." I truly believe that.

Finishing rich is an important and worthy goal, but having a purpose bigger than money is critical to long-term happiness, joy, and personal fulfillment. Having nice stuff is great, but living a life of meaning is even better. With that in mind, consider the possibility that your life is meant to be lived with a purpose higher than simply accruing wealth -- and that purpose is to use your wealth to make a difference.

Finding a Worthy Cause

Find a charity that's important to you and make a donation this Thanksgiving. Ideally, you could aim to commit a percentage -- even if it's only 1 percent -- of your income on a regular basis. You can even make it automatic by having it deducted from your paycheck or checking account and transferred to a reputable charity of your choice. And remember, donating your time and talent counts as well. Volunteering is just as important as giving money. Everyone can afford to give in some capacity.

When deciding who and what to contribute to, it's important to choose an organization that doesn't use up your contribution on administrative expenses, but that actually spends the bulk of the money it collects on the people or causes it's supposed to be helping. Most experts agree that a charity should pass along at least 70 to 75 percent of what it raises -- meaning its administrative expenses should never exceed 25 percent. (I personally never give money to any charity until I've looked at their financial records.)

There are some excellent online resources that can help you figure out what groups deserve your support. Some of the ones I recommend include GuideStar, JustGive, and the Better Business Bureau's Give.org. Some additional sites that can help you get started to volunteer your time to help others include the Network for Good, VolunteerMatch, and Volunteer Solutions.

Housing Generosity

One of the many charitable organizations that's near and dear to my heart is Habitat for Humanity, an organization dedicated to providing decent and affordable housing to those in need.

As a board member, I had the pleasure of co-chairing and hosting the Habitat for Humanity gala in New York City. The event raised over $1 million for Habitat New York City. (You can check out some photos from the event on my blog.)

I opened the event with a powerful, life-changing poem long attributed to Mother Teresa, but actually written by Kent Keith. Called "The Paradoxical Commandments" (or sometimes "Anyway"), it's a beautiful, thought-provoking piece that complements what I've emphasized here.

With that in mind, I wish you and your family a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving.