Now that we are well into the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to pause and focus on what we’re grateful for. Gratitude has been proven to be completely safe and effective for making you feel better about life in general, especially during the holiday season. In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the rest of the season, it’s the best time to share our gratitude with the many organizations, or “social-profits” that “do good” and make the world a better place.
Currently there are approximately 1.5 million 501(c)3 organizations based in the United States, many of which Dr. Nancy describes as social-profits, for the value they provide to their communities goes far beyond the limitations of financial measurements. The many ways they do good – by providing resources, guidance, or a hand up to the people they serve – are innumerable.
This week #GivingTuesday – a global generosity movement – will unleash the power of radical generosity as millions of people will donate millions of dollars to “social-profits” worldwide. Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday, which is held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, sets aside a special day to encourage people to “do good.” And it’s turned into a pretty big deal. In fact, in 10 short years Giving Tuesday has “grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.”
Many social-profits embrace the Giving Tuesday concept and “do good” by making a difference in our communities each day. From cultural centers to food banks to disaster relief organizations, they deliver important services, strengthen communities, and facilitate civic engagement. Whether we’re aware of it or not, these organizations play a vital role in our lives, and we all “profit” from their activities in countless ways.
“Social-profits benefit when we all come together to help those who need us, whatever the circumstances may be,” Dr. Nancy says. “All of us can help. All of us can serve. All of us benefit when we support our social-profit organizations.”
While Giving Tuesday is a rallying cry for donations worldwide, we should not limit our giving to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, but instead should follow the organizers’ lead and “do good” as often as we can. At Women Connect4Good, we are pleased to support several organizations that do good year round. Each one of them work towards the greater good, creates immeasurable benefits to those they serve, and aligns with our values.
As Dr. Nancy says, these vital groups are our path to changing the world, and they, like so many others in the social profit space, are often understaffed and underfunded. These organizations need our help, and we invite you to check them out as you plan your ways to do good this season.
National Women’s History Museum – Your support can help them inspire generations by sharing the stories of women who have broken barriers, 
shattered glass ceilings, and made contributions to our nation’s history.
Someone You Know – Your support will enable Asha Dahya and her team to complete Someone You Know, a film that shares three women’s abortion stories and the barriers they faced with Roe v Wade gone, to foster empathy and dismantle stigma.
Take The Lead – Your support will allow them to continue to provide leadership training programs and events that offer women the tools and skills needed to advance into leadership positions.
I Am a Leader – Your support makes a positive impact and supports their mission to increase the prevalence and success of women in the workplace, marketplace, and public service sector.
World Pulse – Your donation helps more women make a bigger impact and powers their online community where women from 227 countries and territories are logging on and leading change for 21.6 million people and counting.
Convoy of Hope – When you shop this year’s Gift Catalog, you give the gift of hope and can support the Convoy initiative of your choice. For example, the Women’s Empowerment initiative means you are helping create opportunities for women and girls that will last for generations.
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara – You can fulfill a wish for Girls Inc. girls and staff by selecting from their beautiful Wish Book, which shares programs (selected by the girls!) that will help them learn to value themselves, move past limitations and discover and develop their strengths to become the next generation of women leaders.
Women Like Us Foundation – Your support can make a difference in the lives of women and families in Kenya that transforms lives and livelihood for generations.
African American Women in Cinema – Your support will create global opportunities for minority women filmmakers and content creators and help connect their talents to resources, relationships and industry training.
Whether you choose to share with these programs and organizations or others, remember that we all “profit” when we donate our time, treasure, or talent to social-profit organizations. As Giving Tuesday organizers point out, “giving” isn’t just about the money. “Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building the better world we all want to live in.” We couldn’t agree with them more.