Beyond money, impacting the lives around!

There is a common belief in India and other countries that philanthropic goals are interlinked with monetary resources to some extent. But there are so many other factors, besides money, that have the potential to bring about change in communities and help them grow. As we dive deeper into the space of philanthropy, we start to learn how we can do that.

The initial step is to increase public awareness around the important issues in society. And we can do it by advocating on behalf of those affected. Speaking up for the principles we believe in not only draws public attention to the cause but also effectively encourages them to join and take actions that are required.

A philanthropist can benefit from a number of approaches when it comes to effective advocacy:

1. Social media platforms: We all know how strong social media platforms have become these days, especially in the matter of promoting awareness. Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and many others provide a vast reach of audience which helps one easily gain necessary insights on various causes. Additionally, it gives all the details on how to get in touch or make a contribution.
2. Community forums - Utilizing a community forum to establish connections with other people in the industry is one of the best approaches. It not only allows you to share your ideas but also helps you gather knowledge from people with varying experiences. One can easily understand how things function in the field of philanthropy more clearly with this.
3. Organizing events -When it comes to supporting any cause, people must first be informed about it. Organizing events can be quite beneficial in achieving this goal as it helps people learn the roots of the cause. Also, these events highly influence the opinions of people, helping them make informed decisions.

The other way to help the community is by volunteering. Offering some time to organizations that work in CSR or support causes can do wonders. There are many ways that one can opt for volunteering, like teaching the underprivileged children, contributing to some kitchen service that makes food for homeless people, planting trees to protect the environment, giving unused clothes or toys to charity, sharing expertise with others, etc. Annamrita foundation, Seeds, Lepra society, Swades foundation, Mamta HIMC, Radhika Foundation, and many other NGOs offer opportunities to volunteer and support the community.

The frequently held health and eye check up camps, and blood donation drives are another domain that needs assistance without resources. If one is healthy enough to donate blood, or desire to contribute their time or expertise, can participate in these drives to help those in need. Every step can change lives and benefit the community.

People around us experience an array of challenges on a daily basis. All we need to do is look around us and offer our support in any possible way to enhance their lives.