Throughout my years of being an entrepreneur and a self-made millionaire, I have learned that having this type of money also gives you a great deal of responsibility. I truly believe that for those who can afford it, donating their time and money to those in need is very important. If you have never donated before, you may be surprised to find how easy it is to give back and how much these organizations can do with monetary donations. If you are looking for ways to donate and give back, here are five great suggestions to consider.
Make a Wish
If you have never heard about the Make a Wish Foundation, I suggest you start learning about this organization and the amazing things that they do for children. This company specializes in helping sick children and children with difference challenges and they make their dreams come true. I once donated $20,000 to the organization and that money was used to help a young boy with a life-threatening medical condition, get the technology he needed to be able to communicate with others for the first time. Donating to this cause and getting to see first-hand how my donation paid off was one of the best experiences of my life and was so fulfilling.
Donate to an Inspirational Athlete Trying to Make the Olympics
Nothing is as inspirational as seeing a hard-working athlete make their dreams come true in the Olympics. This is one way to donate that many people simply aren't aware of, but it is a really powerful way to make a difference in the life of a hard-working individual. When I donated to Olympic athlete Prince Mumba, I got to see a young man with a tough upbringing get the support he needed to make it to the Olympic games in track. His story really moved me. He was living on the streets at the age of 8 and is now on his way to Rio. There are many athletes out there in need of support just like Prince who can benefit from the support of others.
Build a School in a Third World Country Inexpensively
Organizations such as the Cambodia Village Fund are designed to help bring educational opportunities to young people living in third-world countries. This program is able to build schools for these children for very little money, meaning a standard donation can go a long way in changing the lives and the futures of children who were born into poverty.
This is an organization that is close to my heart. My charity, the Tim Skyes Foundation has donated $50,000 to this organization and helped build the Timothy Sykes Learning Center. Educating others is a true passion of mine and I found with this organization I could really make a difference in the lives of others.
Second Chance Humane Society
For animal lovers out there, the Second Chance Humane Society is a great organization to donate to. This is actually my top student, Tim Grittanti's favorite charity and he turned me on to this organization and what it has to offer. The organization's mission is simple, they are looking to help abandoned pets in need find the homes they need and to save lives while educating the public on animal care. This is a company that really goes above and beyond to help animals in need. My student Tim and his wife recently got the opportunity to visit Second Chance Humane Society and to deliver them with a check from the Timothy Sykes Foundation. It was a great experience for Tim and myself to be involved in.
Project Chicken Soup
Project Chicken Soup is a non-profit organization that prepares and delivers free, nutritious and kosher meals to those living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses. This is a great organization that is truly focused on helping others. I partnered with this company in 2016 along with members of the Timothy Sykes Foundation. It was a truly humbling experience to see how something as simple as a healthy meal can change the lives of members right in our own community.