Be True To Your School

Sigh.  This is a tough one to write.  I saw the 617 number coming in on my cell phone and thought... "hm...617?! .. Boston...   now who from my past has tracked me down?"
When I said hello, I heard the sweetest young lady's voice who announced... "Hello! Is this Toby Sweeney??? I am so glad I finally could reach you... this is .... ... calling to.... fill you in on what's new on campus.... and .... update you on.... the ahem... ...the....
A N N U A L   F U N D".

They Found Me.
Not the Student Loan People... The Annual Fund People!
Good for them! They found me! (I actually found them first, in an effort to have them mobilize...but that is a whole other story, and this blog is not about plugging MobileCause, the nonprofit industry leader for mobile giving, engagement and communication! Ya hear?!)  So, after a nice conversation with a senior communications major, I happily gave $48.  I did this because I am grateful.
But I also did it...  because, it felt good.
I am proud to say I am a college grad! I usually exclaim this fact in an effort to show I can handle the Home Depot self check-out, when I am really in need of assistance from the clerk.   Either way, I do recall receiving a scholarship my senior year that basically paid for ALL of my classes.  And I also have a foggy memory of learning to program a state of the art lighting board at one of the most beautiful theatres in Boston.  And here I am, confidently giving $48 a month to this nonprofit and that nonprofit.  And all the while, my alma mater, who helped shape the 18-21 year old me, was being ignored.
You caught me on a good night, Phone-a-thon!  You do good things, Emerson College Annual Fund!

Tonight I felt like I was able to enter the circle of higher education giving, gratefully, and with immense pride.  I am an alum, who has become, a first-time donor.

Tough post to write.  Not the great equalizing post.  But a 48 Club post, nonetheless. 

If you loved your educational experience, be true to your school.  Trust me, this is not a student loan!  Student loans are owned by the government and by private banks.  Both of whom do not keep your school shiny and new... nor do they seek out students for scholarship opportunities.
A Student Loan is the scratchy old mean reminder that you are in debt.
The Annual Fund is a sweet voice of friendship, legacy and support.

If you can, give a few beans back to The Annual Fund of your school.  $48 to be exact.

Yours in giving,
The 48 Club

PS... if you want to nominate a nonprofit to be featured, feel free to post a nomination comment, and thanks!

BARK! MEOW! GIVE!

When you purchase anything, you pretty much are comfortable that the money is going in some way shape or form ... somewhere.  You have no idea where, when...how.  You just know that the money leaves your hands...and something then comes home with you in return.  The exchange.  The barter.
When you give to a nonprofit, you are exchanging money for trust and goodwill.  You are entrusting the recipient of that money to do with it what you had intended.  You want that money to be spent...
ON THE CAUSE! But, what does that mean? Surely some of the money a nonprofit uses is for the people whose ideas help to fulfill the mission of the organization.  And of course some of that money goes to the literature that is printed to spread the word about the cause.  And advertising, marketing, merchandising, a physical office, phones, paper, supplies for everything you can imagine... anything a FOR PROFIT company would need, a NONPROFIT company needs as well.

But the nonprofit needs you to give them money in exchange for no tangible barter.  This puts them in the position to be Responsible! They need to be more responsible than your average retailer.  Luckily there are some great resources out there that will help you understand how those hard earned donated dollars are spent.  Charity Navigator  (clue: this link will clue you into the organization I want you to donate to this month)

Through my research, I have happened upon an animal advocacy organization who puts the "Giving" in "Giving".  They put the MONEY into the CAUSE, and they don't aim to increase revenue, only to continue to spend your donations wisely.  The President of the org makes pennies compared to what they raise.  Compare her earnings to the President of any other animal welfare organization you know of.  Please take a moment to check Charity Navigator for the salary of the CEO and President of any animal nonprofit you donate money to.  Then, please take a look at Animal Welfare Institute! 
Donate your $48 this month to AWI because you love animals...but more importantly because you love your money! Put it in the hands of the organization doing the most good with it, and using the MOST OF IT!

Animal Welfare Institute

Bark, Meow, Roar, Chirp.... McCawwww.

Thanks for letting me steer you in the right giving direction,
The 48 Club