If you intend to live in a more just world, there are plenty of reasons to practice philanthropy and help embed a culture of giving in our society. The Bem Maior Movement has compiled five reasons to show that the time to act is now. It's not complicated at all, you just have to want to. And your participation can make a difference in the lives of many people, including your own.
1) You are part of the world
As dictionaries show us, the word philanthropy means 'love of humanity' and 'generosity towards others'. The literal meaning alone would be a great reason for everyone to understand its importance. But, in the face of so much social inequality, the need to spread solidarity is even more pressing. We don't live in bubbles, nor can we close our eyes, ignoring everything around us. On the contrary, we must exercise our empathetic gaze, identifying with another person's situation and seeking to act to change the reality of our country. There is a clear interdependence; we are all co-responsible for the current situations. Organized civil society has a central role in building a better country.
2) Numerous causes need your support
emergency donations were necessary , such as the delivery of masks and food. However, countless important causes continue to need support. Amid so many problems, how do you choose a cause to start helping? A good way is to identify the causes that touch your heart. Talk to family and friends, seek information, search the internet and see the needs. Try to choose a project that matches your profile. If you enjoy practicing a sport, there are several institutions that work with children and young people through sports and education together. If you enjoy traveling, supporting projects that help refugees can generate great empathy. Look at the work of that small organization that operates in your neighborhood; you may identify with it. After choosing a cause, try to make the donation a fixed action in your monthly financial planning. This is important so that organizations can organize themselves and maintain their operation even during periods when contributions are lower.
3) NGOs do essential work
NGOs, supported by various sectors of society, played a leading role in many actions to help society during the pandemic. Extremely important activities, such as delivering food to those in need, were reported more frequently in newspapers, on TV, and online. Technological advancements also made it easier to follow the organizations' initiatives, check their transparency, and understand the impact generated by donations. Thus, people became more aware of the serious and dedicated work of these entities, and the result was increased public trust in the third sector. According to the Brazil Donation Survey , coordinated by IDIS (Institute for the Development of Social Investment), trust in organizations among donors rose from 74% in 2015 to 93% in 2020. Meanwhile, the percentage of people who do not donate because they do not trust the institutions fell from 17% to 4% in five years.
4) It is possible to donate more than just money
It's common to see news reports about large donations. However, we shouldn't associate the image of a great philanthropist solely with American billionaires. Everyone can make donations that fit their budget and transform lives. And it's possible to donate in other ways too: you can simply share some of your time, your work, and your affection through volunteering. This is a transformative experience. By getting directly involved in the actions, the volunteer has the opportunity to see firsthand the impact generated by the actions and has the chance to receive, as a thank you, a hug or a smile from the person who benefits.
5) Building a positive legacy
We must always remember that we are ephemeral and that in our daily lives we build a legacy to leave for future generations. Through our actions, we serve as examples for our children and grandchildren. Thoughtful and simple gestures from a father or mother represent important lessons. By always treating other people with respect, children are shown that no one is better than anyone else. Teaching that donating clothes is a way to help someone in need, and not because the item is surplus, means transmitting valuable guidance. Avoiding the use of your personal car whenever possible to avoid further deteriorating the weather conditions is another lesson. To leave a better world as an inheritance, it is important to act now and also plant the seeds for the future.
Carola Matarazzo
Executive Director of the Bem Maior Movement
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