A nonprofit, by definition, is a tax-exempt organization with the directive to focus entirely on community benefit. Because of this mandate, you can be assured that your support is intended for good, not just a financial return on investment. Copious sizes and categories of nonprofits are already serving your community daily, so use these 8 reasons to help you understand who they are and why your support is essential.
1) A nonprofit is an organized group of people who already serve a part of the community you're passionate about.
- Whether you're interested in becoming part of a support system for the children in the foster care system of Charlotte (consider our partner Foster Village) or in the rehabilitation and re-homing of animals (Carolina Waterfowl Rescue and Guilford County Animal Shelter both do a wonderful job), there is a nonprofit out there for you. Running Works uses sport to "break the cycle of abuse, neglect, and homelessness" while creating lasting relationships and a safe space for families, Camino Community Center promotes a healthy lifestyle through access to their free health clinic, and Hope Vibes ensures that the homeless community in Charlotte has access to hygiene products and basic necessities. All of these nonprofits have already made a lasting difference in your community and can continue to do so with your new/continued support.
2) Some nonprofits may be serving a subset of the community that isn't in the public view.
- Our partner Project Outpour provides a private space for the homeless community of Charlotte to shower and refresh; Para Guide enables visually impaired people to enjoy physical activity through guides; Best Buddies creates one-on-one relationships with and promotes inclusion of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and Zabs Place prepares young adults with special needs for more rewarding careers by providing job experience. Your support of these nonprofits encourages visibility of the "unseen" necessities/communities and a continuation of the effort being made to improve them.
3) There are nonprofits who exist to improve the quality of your community and the communities surrounding you.
- iServewithjoy and A Giving Heart Project strive to improve the Charlotte community through service. SAVE - Safeguard Atone Validate Educate works to "make children job-ready instead of jail ready." Ada Jenkins Center promotes higher education and economic stability, and Project 658 serves international and refugee communities by moving them toward sustainability. Supporting nonprofits in this category provides a safe, productive space for all people. With "job-ready," well-prepared, and well-loved community members, the cycle of despair in society can be broken.
4) Certain nonprofits actually expand the impact of other nonprofits. We call these capacity building nonprofits.
- Apparo connects local nonprofits to technology expertise, and Charlotte Community Tool Bank is a tool bank that allows nonprofits and charities to borrow tools and equipment for a fraction of the cost. These capacity building nonprofits need your reinforcement to create an internal support system among nonprofits. With a strong, internal support system, all nonprofits have the opportunity for growth and development. This, therefore, supports the growth and development of your entire community.
5) You can see a tangible difference when you support a nonprofit.
- When you give to a nonprofit, you see the output of your input because you're a part of the community being served. You will see the fed, clothed, and loved child learning to read; your visually impaired neighbor running with a guide (as they pass you in a 5k); and homeless wrapped in warm blankets on an icy winter night. These are just a few, evident examples of nonprofits at work. You're immersed in the community that seems so distant. When you give, you're making your neighborhood, your park, and your town a better place. If you haven't seen change, slow down. Become more aware of your surroundings and research the success stories in your town. The goal of a nonprofit is never to hide; conversely, the goal is to make others aware of the change being made.
6) You have a societal responsibility to yourself, your family, and your community to support its weakest members.
- To quote Mahatma Ghandi, "A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." Although the word "weak" is typically perceived as a word meant to degrade, weak merely describes the level of support needed for success. It is our responsibility, as active members of society, to create a space where each member is heard, supported, and uplifted. Some succeed with the first opportunity presented, and others need more opportunities. Supporting your local nonprofit provides countless opportunities, and therefore, a more well-rounded community.
7) Supporting nonprofits supports equality for all.
- Service, the directive of every nonprofit, is often perceived as the simple act of supporting/aiding a group of people. However, service, when effected, can translate to equal opportunity. Whether fighting directly, like Queen City Unity when fighting for equity and equality for all in Charlotte, or indirectly, like Ada Jenkins Center when fighting for higher education and economic stability via community center, each strive to help all members recognize their value, worth, and place in the community. When all are treated with respect and all recognize their worth, the community takes once giant leap towards total equality.
8) Restore Global is a nonprofit that has the ability to support every nonprofit.
- We couldn't finish this article without telling you why we would be a nonprofit worth supporting. At Restore Global, we work to serve all of your favorite nonprofits, causes, and passions. Restore Global's mission is to help nonprofits become more efficient and effective in their mission by reducing their product cost, acquiring donated items from corporate excess, and alleviating the stress of finding, procuring, and storing products needed. We're here to do whatever we can to make you the best version of you.
Now that you're familiar with the nonprofits listed above, click some of the names you see and/or do your own research. It's important to understand exactly who you're giving to and what they stand for. We fully stand behind all of our partners (those listed and those not mentioned), but there are so many more to explore. If there's a subject or passion of yours that we didn't mention, search "(your interest) nonprofit," or "(your interest) nonprofit in (your town)." There are hundreds of active, engaged, and staffed nonprofits in every community. Do your part; get involved.