Every year, hundreds of thousands of people donate their time and/or money to non-profit organizations. Why do they do it?More importantly, why should you? Here are five reasons to donate to charity: 1. To help others. First and foremost, when you contribute to a cause you are making the world a better place. Whether you are donating your time, money or expertise, there are recipient(s) benefiting from it. People may go to school because of the scholarship you fund, children may feel supported by the shelter or food they receive, animals may be saved because of the organization you donate...

pub·lic sec·tor:nounthe part of an economy that is controlled by the government. What is the Public Sector? Quite simply, the public sector is one section of the economy that is concerned with providing various government services. Though there are variations from one country to another, the public sector normally includes such services as the military, police, public transit, infrastructure care, public education, health care, and of course, the government itself. The public sector, as you would expect, provides public services to its citizenry. It delivers services that benefit all of...

A social enterprise, much like the descriptors "NGO" or "non-profit" is a term you hear quite often.Of course you know what it means. You know it's a company that helps communities.Sure, that definition is factually correct. Not a bad start. But let's delve a little deeper; let's unpack some of the specificities of a social enterprise. What officially makes an organization a social enterprise? How is it different from a traditional company or a charity? Is it still technically a business?Let's take a look: A social enterprise is a business whose primary purpose to create positive change. It...

First off, what is a charity?It is an entity with no goal to amass high revenue, hence the name 'non-profit organization'. Its purpose, recognized by law, is to be charitable and benefit others. It may only engage in charitable activities (though it can be involved with corporate activities if the business involved is related to a charitable project).Now, what exactly is a registered charity? A registered charity has its own official title because it is registered under the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) and abides by its regulations. The most notable defining factor of a...

NGO.You've been hearing this term for years, from casual conversations with friends to corporate meetings.Three simple letters, but what do they mean?An NGO, a non-governmental organization, is an entity that comes in many forms, sizes, and styles. They can go in different directions and have different goals. They can focus on a specific region, a specific person, and/or a specific issue. They can have a macro-level or micro-level focus. They can be international organizations working with countless country offices, or they can be based out of someone's basement with three employees....

What does science have to do with philanthropy? Well, learning how to harness the advances of science in ways that can help the disadvantaged is a clear channel that bridges the two disciplines.The annual Grand Challenges in Global Health conference, hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was launched eleven years ago with the goal of identifying the biggest problems in health and providing grants to researchers who might solve them. Each year this event brings hundreds of scientists together to discuss and analyze global issues through a scientific lens. The founder, Bill Gates,...

There are all kinds of donors. What kind are you? The annual donor? The voracious volunteer?  No matter what way you give, your work matters. 1. The Annual Donor You are an organized, love to plan, type A person.You've thought about the issues that matter most to you and done the research on the non-profit organization that best addresses those issues. You are an annual donor, giving the same amount of money each year. It is predictable, stable, and safe.It's your commitment to doing good in the world. 2. The Random Acts of Kindness Creature You love nothing more than giving in a fun...

'Social enterprise' and 'non-profit' are two terms you may be hearing more and more in your day-to-day life."Oh, I just heard about this great program being launched by this non-profit.""I think that social enterprise caters towards such a noble cause."But what exactly are they? How do they differ?Well, here are their literal definitions: Social Enterprise: An organization that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human and environmental well-being, rather than maximizing profits for external shareholders. Social enterprises can be structured as a for-profit or...

Making the decision to donate money to a charity can be a complex process; it's a sacrifice that requires commitment and thought. Saving up your hard earned money and giving it to a non-profit organization is a generous gesture that should involve some research. There are a few important decisions you need to make when you donate money. After you decide the exact dollar figure you can and will give, you also have to decide which charity you would want to give to, and which specific cause you want to support. This decision is no walk in the park; there are many worthy causes you can...