How You Can Use Sports in Philanthropy

Whether doing something small like donating time or money, or something larger like managing a charitable event or organization, most generous people pick causes that are personally relevant to them. For those who love athletics, exercise, or other physical activity, it might seem difficult to tie that kind of passion into philanthropy. However, there are actually many ways that sports can be used in philanthropy.According to Greatist, many sports-centered charities are having great success improving the world for the better. Here a few highlights of these charities that you could get involved with and make a difference.

Right to Play

For example, Right to Play demonstrates how well-known athletes can serve as excellent partners in philanthropy. The organization leverages exercise and competition to empower children who come from challenging backgrounds. Right to Play supporters believe that providing athletic opportunities to children in difficult circumstances helps them develop important mindsets and skills. More than 300 athletes from over 40 countries serve as ambassadors for the organization. Right to Play is a great organization that’s sincerely making a difference.

Challenged Athletes & ASAWW

Meanwhile, both Challenged Athletes and Adaptive Sports Access for Wounded Warriors demonstrate ways that sports can provide opportunities to disabled people. Challenged Athletes focuses its philanthropic efforts on anybody with physical challenges, including those who have suffered traumatic injuries such as military veterans. Adaptive Sports for Wounded Warriors focuses explicitly on former members of the armed services. Both organizations seek to provide goods and services to injured people to ensure that they can improve their lives through athletics.

PeacePlayers International

One ambitious charity called PeacePlayers International teaches how to leverage sports as a way resolve major conflicts. The organization focuses its work on places where there is considerable turmoil of varying types. For example, PeacePlayers International conducts work in the Middle East and in Northern Ireland, but also in American urban centers such as Detroit, Chicago, and New Orleans.

Project Fit America

Project Fit America is another excellent example of a philanthropic outfit that uses sports for the greater good. It does so by providing to schools with indoor and outdoor fitness equipment, lesson plans, curriculum, and training to ensure that children in underserved communities have access to education related to fitness to ensure their physical and mental health.

These are just a few examples of how sports can be used for philanthropy. These types of organizations can help inspire others to start similar ones, but they all also gladly accept donations and support. To find more about other similar causes, visit Sports Charities USA.

5 Challenges Facing Philanthropies that Prevent Their Success

No matter what cause a philanthropy works toward benefiting, there are very real challenges the organization will face while trying to help others. Many people want to help out specific causes, yet it can be difficult to launch a charity and have it be successful. In order to better prepare yourself and your philanthropy for the challenge that comes with striving toward success, here are five challenges faced by philanthropists that prevent their success.

An endless battle for survival

It is always problematic for some philanthropies to take a step back and relax when they have minimal reserves and there is a need, often desperate, for more money. Nonetheless, it is of the essence to break the cycle by finding time to step back and breathe and then plan ahead. Thinking about the future and planning for it at present would help them overcome the same battle over and over again.

A reasonable time frame to consider could be five years for instance. In this duration, they should imagine where they want to be after the period elapses and what difference they want to make in the community. Once they have established their destination with clarity, they can work out how much money they need to fund their activities and work backward to create a strategy that won’t fail and can prevent future worries about money.

Limited time to commit to philanthropic activities

Frequently, it can be difficult to find enough time to spend dedicated to philanthropy. Naturally, one can not do everything, so no one should try and you need to pace yourself accordingly. However, they should try to stay focused on specific areas they can make a major impact. It is always better to do a few things well, than try to do a lot of things and then do them poorly. Learn to manage your time well so you can do as much as possible.

Lack of enough money to invest

Philanthropic ventures cost money and need money continuously invested in their causes. Philanthropists that are starting up often face a dilemma over where to place their limited resources and what aspects make for the best investments. It may be necessary to take any spare funds on investments to generate more money to fund the activities.

Developing skills

Sufficient training for small philanthropists can be challenging to achieve. With limited time and funds, it can be difficult to get workers and volunteers the training they need to do their jobs effectively. It’s important to set aside enough time and resources to properly train those working with your organization and then focus on continually develop their skills.

How to be unique

There are too many philanthropies that are doing more or less the same thing. Therefore it becomes a crowded marketplace that makes it tricky to attract support. It is essential for philanthropies to focus on sectors that make them stand out from the crowd. Before starting a philanthropy, make sure there’s a need for your organization and that there’s something that makes you different from other charities.

5 Great Podcasts Focusing On Philanthropy

People often turn to podcasts as a resource for self-development. Many popular hosts share tips for life improvement and they usually require listeners to dig deeper into their own minds. On the other hand, philanthropic podcasts create the same positive feelings by urging listeners to do the exact opposite. Getting out of your mind is sometimes the best form of therapy. Learning how to help others and listening to encouraging stories of those already doing so is a great way to be more aware of the world around you. Here are some great podcasts focusing on various aspects of philanthropy.

The Business of Giving

As its title may suggest, this podcast aims to quantify the process of giving. Philanthropy affects so many people on this planet, so it’s important to talk about it and be knowledgeable. This podcast serves as a place to discuss the trends set by the most successful philanthropists. Unlike some other entries on this list, this show often takes a more general look at philanthropy in society at large.

The Philanthropy Roundtable

The Philanthropy Roundtable is all about discussing the ways freedom of giving affects our right to liberty. Above all, the podcast homes in on the philosophy of responsibility and how it affects philanthropic efforts. The monthly show features great stories of people who solved big problems through acts of selflessness.

The Classy Podcast

Giving back socially is a growing part of philanthropy. The Classy Podcast spreads stories of social leaders who used their business platforms to promote change in their communities. With social media being what it is, business leaders have more opportunity than ever to champion important local causes. The Classy Podcasts gets into the heads of the people who establish these causes.

Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast is similar to the above entry on this list, but it focuses on leaders from the nonprofit sector. More so than the other podcasts, episodes of this show tend to revolve around particular social issues that are being addressed through nonprofit work. The show also aims to guide aspiring nonprofit leaders onto the right course.

The Life You Can Save

Finally, The Life You Can Save is a hybrid podcast that focuses equally on philanthropy and self-improvement. This show is the best example of how the different concepts of getting and giving are actually similar in many ways. Each episode is usually based on a centralized theme, and discussions emerge outward from there.

3 Habits Any Great Entrepreneur Must Possess

The life of an entrepreneur requires high levels of physical energy, mental focus, emotional strength, motivation, and productivity. To perform at their best, many entrepreneurs rely on daily habits to guide their behaviors on autopilot, allowing them to accomplish much more than the average worker on a daily basis. Developing habits that make you more efficient are beneficial no matter what your career is.

Below are three key habits that the best entrepreneurs put into practice every day to help them achieve their goals and lead their companies to success.

Focus on high-value tasks

One of the most important abilities that every successful entrepreneur possesses is the habit of focusing on high-priority tasks at all times throughout the day.

High performers are constantly asking themselves, “Is this the best use of my time right now? Is this activity moving me toward my most important goals?” This habit ensures that the entrepreneur is always doing the work that only he can do, while everything else is either delegated or ignored completely. Being able to push lesser tasks to the side and focus on what’s most important is invaluable.

Follow a daily routine

Leadership expert John C. Maxwell has said, “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”

High achievers are known to follow daily routines, whether in the morning, in the evening, or both. There might be several reasons why following a daily routine is important. One of them is that people have a finite amount of energy and creativity from which to draw upon every day. If every decision made throughout the day taps into this finite supply, then it makes sense to set up systems and routines that minimize daily decision-making. This allows the entrepreneur to save that limited creative energy for the truly important decisions of the day.

Include daily health practices

There are many healthy habits that successful entrepreneurs incorporate into their lives. Some of these include eating fresh fruits and vegetables, minimizing consumption of processed foods and junk food, meditating, walking, running, and lifting weights.

Activities and habits such as these promote high energy levels, mental focus, emotional stability, and proper body weight. It is impossible to be productive when the body is unhealthy and the mind is sluggish, so adding healthy habits is a smart move for everyone who requires high levels of work performance.

Successful entrepreneurs use good habits to increase their effectiveness at work and in daily life. Anyone who is looking to achieve their best results in their business should follow entrepreneurs’ leads and develop habits that help them accomplish their goals as well.

4 Ways to Reduce Stress at Work

When most people think of stress, they think of their jobs. The workplace is the largest single source of stress in the average person’s life, likely because you spend so much time there and it impacts the rest of your life. While work is a necessity, there are some things that a person can do to reduce the amount of stress that they experience at work and feel more relaxed.

Take breaks

One of the simplest things that a person can do to reduce stress is to take a break. Whether it is going outside to stretch for 15 minutes or taking a weeklong vacation at the beach, everyone needs to take the break time their employer offers. In fact, studies show that employees who take breaks are more productive than those who do not. Those who take breaks are more productive as they are more relaxed and better able to work steadily than those who sit continuously at their work site.

Take action

A person may not be able to control the amount of stress they experience, but they can work to reduce the impact of that stress on their body. Regular exercise, preferably daily, can help to burn the stress that life provides. In addition, a healthy diet that features a mix of nutrients from every food group keeps the body energized to fight stress. Getting plenty of sleep at a regular time can also work to improve mental and physical health. Taking care of yourself is one of the best ways to manage stress.

Set limits

One of the largest causes of stress is feeling like there is not enough time to get everything done. However, the simple truth is that many times there is not enough time to do all the things that are needed. People need to learn say ‘no’ to tasks they cannot handle. Though it can be difficult, a person needs to set boundaries at work and at home. If a job constantly presents more work than can be completed, he or she needs to look for a new job.

Seek help

Dealing with stress often makes a person withdraw from others. However, staying in contact with others is a helpful way to deal with stress. Whether it is talking to a supervisor about a problem, having dinner with the family, or hitting the gym with a workout buddy, social connections are key to dealing with stress. Praying, meditating, and attending religious services also can serve as a calming influence for those who are dealing with large amounts of stress.

Tips for Creating a Successful Morning Routine

It can be difficult getting up in the morning without the aid of a helpful routine to get you started and motivated to get out of bed. Feeling tired and slightly moody isn’t uncommon. The temptation to crawl back into bed and get more sleep is certainly real and often overwhelming. Before you give into it though, you can try these special tricks for establishing a successful morning routine and jumpstart your day.

Prepare your body

For some, rolling out of bed is deemed a huge success. Once this has been accomplished, it’s time to take a nice, slow stretch. This is believed to increase blood flow in the body and will have a person feeling wide awake within minutes.

These days, cereal with milk is a popular breakfast choice. The problem with this food is that the focus is on dairy, rather than on protein. A couple of pan-fried eggs or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich are both good options instead of, or in addition to, cereal. Because of their high protein content, they’ll give a person the fuel and energy he needs to get through his busy day.

Besides these, an exercise routine comes in handy. During a workout, the body actively engages in various, quick movements, and a person will be left feeling more awake and energetic.

Get the mind ready

Drinking water is good for bodily health, but the simple act has exceptional benefits for the mind, too. It can improve a person’s mood in no time. A grueling, drawn-out morning routine that leaves much to be desired, can make an individual feel like he’s practically homebound. He can skip his usual morning shower and take it the night before instead. Also, he can save a few extra minutes in the morning, by setting the timer on his coffee maker then, as well. That way, the coffee will be brewed and ready to go the moment he gets out of bed.

That innocent looking snooze button on the alarm clock is supposed to be a friend. In reality, though, it’s the enemy. Not only does it interrupt your sleep, it makes it more difficult to accept the fact that the day has, indeed, begun. The snooze button is like the part of the brain that keeps trying to deny it.

By changing the usual, tedious morning routine, anyone can become a morning person. Getting the mind and body both on board may just be the key to the new one’s chance for success. It doesn’t hurt to try.

3 Reasons You Should Use an Open Coworking Space

We’re used to the traditional layout of offices where people working for a single company share the area and are placed in different offices or cubicles. Now, a new trend is growing; coworking spaces. Coworking spaces act just as dynamic and flexible as the people who work in them every single day. When a business owner gets into one of these spaces, they soon see that they will get a lot of functionality and malleability from performing their daily work tasks in them. Coworking spaces operate as a viable option for many businesses because they are a lot more affordable than the average commercial space and also make collaboration more of a reality.

Company owners that don’t have the means to lease commercial space, this article gives them three reasons why they should move their team into a coworking space.

The offices have a central location

If a business owner needs their clients to meet them at their office, this won’t act as a problem as most coworking spaces are located in some of the most populated cities in central locations. If entrepreneurs think they might want to rent an office, a downside to this option is that they will probably have to sacrifice getting a prime location if they want to pay a lower rent amount every month. When entrepreneurs and freelancers have a shared office, their office will sit in a key area. If they work in centrally located coworking spaces, people also have access to other amenities also located in those areas.

The offices have a low cost

Coworking spaces let entrepreneurs and freelancers do their work in a professional setting without needing to rent expensive office space. When they get a shared space for their company, they can do their work without needing to pay for equipment, different types of insurance, monthly building rent, and a lot of other expenses.

Even if a company made enough money to rent their space, the time they will spend talking to contractors, buying office furniture, and obtaining all of the licenses that they need would not be worth it. Renting a coworking space takes that task off their to-do list.

The offices give people an opportunity to network

When a freelancer or business owner do their work in a coworking space, they are surrounded by hard-working people with a lot of achievements under their belts. Every day, they have the opportunity to network with these hard-charging, interesting professionals. They can explore potential partnerships, invest in the projects of their space mates, and outsource some of their work to freelancers in the office.

2 Ted Talks You Need To Watch As An Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurship is both a rewarding and potentially isolating way of doing work. A lot of people desire to work for themselves, but the reality of doing so is sometimes more of a challenge than what people had bargained for. This is why those who do this kind of work need frequent bursts of inspiration from others who have done the same or similar types of projects before them. A great place to find some of that inspiration is through Ted Talks.

How I Became An Entrepreneur At 66

Age really is just a number if you are asking Paul Tasner. He went on to defy social stereotypes that someone who is well into AARP membership age could not start their own business or be an entrepreneur. He didn’t become one until the age of 66. However, at that point he took it on with a passion that most of us desire for the things we do in our lives.

He had worked for other people for more than forty years, but he was not ready to hang up the hat and contribute nothing more to society. Rather, he took the experience that he had gained through all of those years along with some of his own ideas about business and mashed them together to form his own ventures. His talk is definitely one to check out.

There Is No Shame In Taking Care Of Your Mental Health

Scroll through your Facebook or Twitter feed one of these days and take note of the number of people describing mental health issues that they are having. They might be trying to laugh them off, but in reality there is a desperate cry underneath those jokes saying “something is not right here!”.

This particular Ted Talk helps explore the issues of how we treat mental health, and how we sometimes brush it aside in our own lives in order to avoid taking time away from our work or other responsibilities. This talk makes the argument that doing so is more costly than whatever work we are missing out on in the meantime. This talk is definitely one to watch for anyone suffering from mental health issues, but also just for those who know someone who may have these kinds of struggles as well.

How to Write a Top-Notch Business Plan

There are many people who are interested in owning their own business. Owning a business is a lot of hard work and it requires the owner to take on numerous financial risks. Writing a business plan before getting started is also critical. However, writing a business plan is not easy to do. There are numerous areas of the company to focus on when writing a plan and plenty of thought that must go into your business plan.

Start with goals

Before writing a business plan, it is critical for a business owner to understand the goals of the business. Writing down goals is one of the best ways to have success in life. There are numerous studies that show the impact of having strong goals in a business. When starting a company, it is difficult to find time to plan for the future, which is why writing a business plan is so critical. If you plan out your ultimate goals before you even start your business, you’ll find it easier to focus on and achieve them.

Financing

One of the biggest issues with starting a business is getting the required capital to invest in a business idea. There are some people who try to raise money from investors. Other people would rather borrow money from a bank. In the business plan, the financing plan needs to be carefully outlined. Some business owners get into financial trouble because they borrow too much money in the beginning and do not understand how to budget or properly use this money. This issue can be avoided through proper planning and fundraising before opening your business.

Be realistic

As a general rule, starting a company is harder than many people realize. Although there are success stories of business owners who have become millionaires, this is not the normal experience. When writing a business plan, it is critical to be realistic. Some people have lofty goals and get discouraged when they do not reach them. By writing down realistic and attainable goals, a business owner can have a plan to follow over the course of time.

Focus on customers

Some business owners never spend time interacting with customers. It is critical to understand the customers who could be purchasing products or services from the company because they’re the reason your company will succeed or fail. By understanding customers, business owners can design marketing plans that improve sales and profits at the company.

With the economy improving, many people are considering starting a company. Although it is hard work, owning a business is one of the most rewarding things that anyone can do in life. Writing a solid business plan can greatly increase the chances of managing a successful business.

How to Create Positive Relationships Between Your Coworkers

Positive working relationships are imperative in any workplace. When coworkers get along and respect one another, they work well together and the office is that much more productive. Establishing and maintaining healthy relationships in the office requires effort and these tips can help anyone foster a positive relationship with the people they work with at their job.

Recognize a job well done

When people recognize the hard work their coworkers put into a job or a project, it makes their coworkers feel good. They feel appreciated and valued and that benefits everyone working in the office in numerous ways. The first is that it makes people continue to work hard so they can earn more appreciation. It also helps people realize their coworkers want them to have credit for their work rather than trying to take it for their own benefit.

Encourage teamwork

Collaboration is the best way to ensure people are given the opportunity to work together and appreciate what their coworkers bring to the table. Each person is different, and it’s one way to teach people to learn to appreciate the talents and skills everyone in the office has so that they can work together for more success.

Set goals

When an office sits down together and discusses their goals, they bring themselves closer together. Putting the entire office in a room to share their goals with one another helps everyone. When one person shares their goals, their coworkers can help them figure out how to achieve that goal, and the same goes for anyone who works in the office. Everyone is different, but they are working to achieve the same thing and motivation works no matter what your end goals are.

Create fun

The workplace is often serious and busy, and the demand to produce great work and make positive changes in the lives of everyone connected to the business is sometimes overwhelming. It’s easy to forget to have fun and focus on just getting the job done, but coworkers who have fun together are more likely to enjoy working with one another. Create time for employees to unwind and have fun, such as an office dinner party or quarterly party to celebrate a job well done.

Fostering a creative and happy workplace is as simple as taking a little time to make people feel good about their role in the company. Good manners, a happy work environment, and recognition when it’s warranted is all it takes to foster healthy relationships in your workplace.

3 Tips for Starting Your Own Charity

For those looking to give back to the community and the world at large, there are several options. You can volunteer your time to a cause you care about or you can donate money to an organization you respect. However, another option is starting your own charity. If you don’t feel that there’s an organization out there that fits your mission, you can start your own philanthropy. A charity can be an excellent way to give to those in need and can positively impact all who are involved with it. While starting a charity may seem a bit daunting at times, it can most certainly be done successfully. That being said, it may be difficult to know where to start with such a venture. Below are some tips to consider when starting a charity.

Do research

Before attempting to start your own charity, do adequate research. This tip comes from Joanne Fritz’s article in The Balance. This step is vitally important, as poor planning and preparation can dissolve a charity rather quickly. If you want to lead a successful charity, you need to know what you’re doing. Make sure to research any laws and regulations regarding charities. Research the marketplace of charities as well, such as which ones are successful, and for what reasons. This can help organize a charity that is just starting. Also, make sure you aren’t starting a charity that’s too similar to another or will be overshadowed by an organization that already exists.

Figure out what the charity is all about

Steve Odland’s article in Forbes, highlights the importance of understanding what exactly you want your philanthropy to accomplish. Odland suggests creating both a vision and mission statement. According to the article, a vision statement includes the broad, general goals of an organization and should be qualitative in its descriptions, not quantitative. The mission statement includes more of the quantitative measurements and descriptions such as who and what the charity helps. Mission statements should also include goals for the charity to reach, according to Odland.

Bring out the uniqueness of the charity

This is an important tip that Odland mentions in his article as well. There are many non-profit organizations out there vying for the attention of donors. This competition can make it difficult for a new charity to gather the funds to operate. Having a unique idea and way to contribute to society can help bring attention to the charity. This feature can then help bring in donations that further the charity’s cause.

In the end, there are many ways to give back to the community, both globally and locally. A great way to achieve this goal and make lasting change is through creating a charity. Though starting a charity from the ground up can be challenging at times, it can also be immensely rewarding. Hopefully the tips above help anyone thinking about starting their own charity.

Businesses that Donate Portions of Your Purchase to Charity

Charity is a wonderful way to give back to your local community and the world. There are many ways you can participate in philanthropy; volunteer your time, donate your money, or simply raise awareness. You can also patronize businesses that use your money for a good cause. There are a number of businesses who give back to their communities and others by allocating a portion of certain purchases to be donated to a good cause to help people in need. Here are two excellent examples of these kinds of businesses.

Bombas

The name “bombas” comes from the word in Latin for bumblebee. The company’s mantra is “bee better” because bees all work together in a hive with their combined actions having a big impact on their world.

The company puts that slogan on the inside of each pair of their socks to let it be known that you helped someone through your purchase because Bombas donates a pair of socks to someone in need for each pair sold to the tune of more than five million donated thus far!

Bombas had spent two years developing the perfect pair of socks that would give extra support and comfort with extra cushioning on the footbeds, prevent irritation by placing blister tabs by your ankles, reduce moisture, and provide a tight fit at the arches by using a special honeycomb stitching at the middle of each sock. These are carefully crafted socks and many people love them.

The Company Store

The Company Store, primarily a direct-to-consumer retailer of textiles and home goods, has offered everything to outfit your bed including sheets, pillows, mattress pads, and more. When you purchase one of their comforters, their “Buy One, Give One” program also donates one to a child in need.

On Thursday, December 21, 2017, Home Depot announced that it had acquired The Company Store, an e-commerce and catalog retailer. The Wisconsin-based store also has five physical locations, but they were not a part of this deal.

This acquisition adds to Home Depot’s online arsenal, which is an important growth area for the company. Almost 60 percent of store-based and online sales are influenced by a prior digital visit, and online sales of 6.4 percent are double that of the retailer’s nearest competitor. Home Depot’s online business has grown by approximately $1 billion in each of the past four years so it is a key growth engine for their overall business.

With the acquisition, Home Depot has an extra way to help customers complete every room in their house and expand their online décor business into broader categories. The Company Store could also receive a marketing benefit by being a part of Home Depot with its close to 2,300 stores.

These are just two companies that help others when purchases are made by consumers, so feel confident that your money is going to a good cause.