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.