Economy taking a bite out of non-profits

As I am researching a wide variety of organizations, I typically take a glance at the annual reports. They usually have the same upbeat topics about how they have increased over the years, and how they are looking forward to an increase in the future. 

Although I admire the optimism that these companies have, I can't help but think how the downfall in the economy won't deeply effect how well off non-profit organizations are.

I noticed this first a few months ago. I am lucky enough to be a part of a trip that goes to Mexico to build houses each spring as I have previously blogged about. The trip usually costs around $1000, which gets you from Columbus, Ohio, to San Diego, California by flight, and then a week in Mexico and then back again. The price of the trip went up $300 dollars this year, and I could see a decrease in number of trip participants, partly for this reason. 

I guess what I along with other critics are worried about is that if the economy continues to dwindle that people will be less able to donate their excess money to charities, and the well being of many great non-profit organizations will go down. 

According to an article from the Non-Profit Times, "The declines were evident across almost all industry sectors, according to the study. Only animal welfare and international relief organizations tracked by the study reported revenue and donor growth."

After spending a good amount of time researching the variety of organizations and seeing the good that they've done, I hope that the economy replenishes, so that the organizations can keep their good work up, in hopes to change the world by the small steps that each organization is taking. 

"Service is the rent we pay for being.

It is the very purpose of life,
and not something you do in your spare time.
                        -Marion Wright Edelman"

A travelers movement

A big part of me has been writing this blog entry in my head since I first had to start a blog in January. I cannot express how happy it makes me when part of my homework is talking about something I truly love in life. When I first started thinking about Slice of Life, a book that I read came to mind. This book, Step Back from the Baggage Claim is much more than your average read. I know I have been talking about non-profit organizations, but in my mind this fits in perfectly.

Whenever I hear about a non-profit organization or other charities, there is always a certain feeling I get, and I've talked with others that know exactly what I'm talking about. After hearing about the good people are doing, there is an "Ahh Hah" moment, when everything seems to come to terms, and people start to ask "why didn't I think of that?"

These moments are all about what the movement of Step Back from the Baggage Claim possesses. Earlier this semester around Spring Break, I began writing about the book/movement for my school paper because it deals with life at the airport.

The book talks about the things that happen at the airport and how we can take the actions involved with flying and airports and inspire ourselves and others to exemplify these moments in everyday life.

Jason Barger, author of the book and movement spent 7 days in the airport watching and observing people and how they interact. The majority of travelers are usually moving at a very fast pace. From the time they are dropped off, the hassles begin. Stress getting the correct seat assignment, standing in the plethora of lines, and trying to pass through security. There are so many check points through the airport that cause a sense of panic before passengers even set foot on an actual aircraft.

The book talks about how everyone is always in a hurry. For example, when the "ding" sound goes off to signify that passengers can unbuckle their seat belt, individuals automatically stand up and rush to get their bags out of the overhead bins (that almost always shift during flight). All this rush when in the back of their minds, everyone knows that nobody is going anywhere until the plane has reached the gate. 

Finally, the most impactful part of the airport experience, and where the book gets it's title: the baggage claim. People will rush to get their spot at the baggage claim even when the luggage hasn't even reached the final destination. Passengers "box out" others in order to get their bag first. Barger suggests "stepping back" and when you see your bag, simply going up to get it. 

Sounds pretty simple. But it's not just the airport. The movement encourages readers to think about other areas in their lives where a step back moment is needed. Barger and other followers focus on the fact that change starts with little things in life, and that if we start to change the small interactions, then we can soon change our perspective, and our world. 

"Have faith, end hunger"

"An estimated 963 million people in the world go hungry."

"One in ten households in the U.S. are living with hunger or are at risk of hunger."

These facts could go on for days. The fact of the matter is, that a large chunk of our society and our world are living below the poverty level. These statistics are just mere numbers, what is perhaps more important to focus on, is what efforts are being done to change these statistics.

Bread for the World is one organization who is doing just this. Bread for the World is a Christian affiliated organization who has many volunteers who donate their time to write letters and meet with members of Congress and help educate people and advocate the organization. 

The organization recognizes that above religious affiliations and other needs, that curing hunger is the most important goal. They believe that everyone must do their part to make these changes. They believe that by starting with the government, their voices will be heard louder across communities everywhere. 

They also believe that this goal of ending hunger is feasible. "The United Nations Development Program estimates that the basic health and nutrition needs of the world's poorest people could be met for an additional $13 billion a year. Animal lovers in the United States and Europe spend more than that on pet food each year." 

Although it may be a long shot, Bread for the World believes that by starting with education, that society as a whole can make a difference if we only "have faith, end hunger". 

National Parks Foundation

As I've been reading up on organizations I have heard of, or been a part of, I realized there was a ton of organizations out there that I have not been exposed to. My friend directed towards the National Parks Foundation, which I had never read into, and I found myself pleasantly surprised with the overall organization. 

The organization has been established for 40 years, and works as a private philanthropy whose goals are to improve, preserve, and protect America's National Parks. The goals of this organization are to connect society with the National Parks and increase private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships, and increasing public awareness.

I was enthralled reading about all of the great acts that a private philanthropy has accomplished for our environment. Some of the best include securing tens of thousands of acres of parklands for new parks and also existing parks, restoring the Washington Monument, and preserving African American History throughout the National Parks.

When I was first directed towards this organization, I imagined that it would be focused only on park operations and improvements. To my surprise (along with the surprise of many other people that research the organization), the National Parks Foundation protects the National Parks of the world while also helping many other aspects of the world. 

The National Parks Foundation had a successful year in 2008 with their net assets being at $9 million, and this can be seen across many attributes they have made to the environment and other walks of life. They hope to gain more support from donors and volunteers in the future. 

Jump Rope for Heart!

Recently, as i've been thinking about the different organizations over the years that i've been involved in, I could think back to elementary school and think about the first charitable organization that I was a part of-Jump Rope for Heart.

Jump Rope for Heart is part of the American Heart Association, and is a national education program which encourages elementary students world-wide to jump rope  in to help funding for research for heart and stroke related diseases. 

Students that participate in the program receive pledges from friends and family based on how long they can jump rope, these proceeds then go to the National Heart Association. 

This organization has been proven affected for multiple reasons. It obviously helps raise awareness and donations for a great cause, but at the same time promotes the well-being and healthy lifestyles for elementary students to live by. 

Jump Rope for Heart is currently celebrating it's 30th Anniversary, and has raised over $702 million since it started in 1978. Jump Rope for Heart is looking forward to another successful 30 years, and even more money, and is always looking for new volunteers and donors to promote their cause. 

" Millions of students have jumped rope and learned about heart health and how nutrition and physical activity can help prevent heart disease and stroke."

Reduse, Reuse & Recycle!

It's become almost trendy, the new cool hip thing to do.

Besides the newest fashions, or the hot new apple product being a hot topic of discussion, more and more people are becoming concerned about the environment-and I like it!  Come to think of it, conserving our resources and recycling materials have not only become a part of daily life, but have become more and more advertised through our culture.

Just yesterday I was shopping at Old Navy with a good friend of mine, and saw a very funny shirt to promote recycling, and to be honest with you, I contemplated purchasing it. Recycling and conserving the use of materials has become more popular, partly attributed to the National Recycling Coalition (NRC's).

The NRC has a strategic plan  the contains five goals to promote their organization, and recycling in general. It consists of the the following goals: the be recognized as the leading national voice on recycling, to serve as a catalyst for constructive dialogue on sustainable raw material management, to advance member's understanding of current and emerging recycling issues, to foster new and innovative recycling solutions through strategic partnerships. and to ensure the NRC's organizational health and viability. 

So although recycling may sporadically appear through clothing stores and pop culture, there are organizational like the NCR that focus their whole business practice to helping the environment. 

the NRC is a great resource for those looking to get more involved, or for more information on efforts to increase recycling and improve the environment already established in communities world wide. 

PETA

It was no surprise for me to find out that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) was the largest animal rights group in the world. PETA has over 2 million members world-wide, and are well known by their slogan, "animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment".

Unlike most other non-profit organizations, PETA is very well-known for their variety of protests they partake in.  PETA also tries to spread their message through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, special events, and celebrity involvements. 

PETA began in 1981 and began with discovering a case trying to protect monkey's in hopes to stop or decrease animal testing in laboratories. 

PETA has expanded it's ways of advertising and spreading the word about their cause and now advertise through many media forms such as billboards, print ads, radio/TV advertising, and web banners. 

This company appeals to viewers sense of altruism, and concern for others. PETA has conducted more than 300 investigations based on exposing and stopping animal abuse and cruelty. 

Although PETA has many supporters, and then also haters, they are keeping their heads held high for the future: "But no matter what, we simply don’t give up—a compassionate world for animals is worth fighting for."