What is philanthropy?
Audio Pronunciation for phi·lan·thro·py 
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Philanthropy can best be explained as an active effort to raise money or needed materials for a non-profit organization or cause that is important to you. The funds or materials are meant to be collected in an attempt to support the given charity with the needed financial or material resources to promote or support the purpose or maintenance of the charity.
The two essential components to philanthropy are time and help. You give your time for your charity. You help your charity benefit from the funds or materials collected from your event or activity.
It is very easy for celebrities like Mariah Carey or Kanye West to give thousands of dollars to charities, because they have the income to do so. Your contributions as a result of your philanthropy are just as important as their contributions. It is more challenging for YOU- as a young woman or man- who has to go and seek the funds or materials that are in such need.
Why be a philanthropist?
Simply put, philanthropy makes the world a better place. You have the power to create social change, just by taking action. Other reasons why you would want to be a philanthropist are:
1. Make your voice heard.
2. Support an important cause.
3. Serve as an example to others.
4. Be recognized within your community or potentially receive a national or local scholarhsip or award.
5. Build a foundation to be a lifelong agent of social change.
And guess what- it just feels good!
How can you become a philanthropist?
1. Identify an issue or cause that is relevant or important to you.
- The issue or cause may be within your own home, school, community, state, country, or worldwide.
2. Decide how you will take action.
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We all have strengths- maybe you like to swim, run, walk, bike, write, draw, paint, sculpt, sing, play an instrument, cook, or are passionate about something else. Here is where you can bring yours to the forefront.
3. Assemble a team to support and work with you.
- The team can consist of parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, friends, classmates, teammates, bandmates, religious community members, neighbours, teachers, MySpace friends, Facebook friends, and/or co-workers.
4. Become an expert about your issue or cause and share this knowledge with your team.
- Take the time to read, research and know as much about your issue or cause as possible through legitimate or scholarly websites, articles, journals, books, interviews, lectures, and executing your own interviews with experts who are knowledgeable about your issue or cause.
- The more informed you are, the more potential you have to influence and gain donors, supporters, and volunteers.
5. Devise a plan of action.
Two suggestions are:
- Be a part of an existing planned event.
- Create your own event.
6. Execute your plan of action!
- Work with your team and move forward with participating in or organizing your own philanthropic event.
When working with a philanthropic organization, be sure that it is categorized as a 501(c) organization.
Be aware that there are some illegitimate organizations that are not true to the cause of social change.
Bibliography
www.forbes.com/finance/philanthropy/
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/29/AR2007122901848.html
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/topical/youth.html
http://images.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Feb/15/il/hawaii802150331.html/
http://youth.foundationcenter.org
Webmasters: Judith Cruz-Walsh & Lisa Moretti
Upper Montclair, New Jersey Last Updated: September 21, 2008