You may not think so, but chances are you are a philanthropist. Personal wealth is certainly not a requirement for philanthropy nor is having a family foundation. In fact, individuals make up 81 percent of giving in America.

You may not think so, but chances are you are a philanthropist. Personal wealth is certainly not a requirement for philanthropy nor is having a family foundation. In fact, individuals make up 81 percent of giving in America.  And, the wealthiest 10 percent of Americans account for only 25 percent of all charitable giving. Taking it a step further, when calculated as a percentage of income, those who earn less than $20,000 become twice as charitable as those who earn $100,000. Surprised?

And while big donations are important, small donations matter too. Have you ever hesitated to give because you didn’t think that your ‘small’ donation would make a difference? If you have, think again. Because, small gifts have always made a difference.

• In 1938, a campaign to combat polio was launched and folks across the country were asked to ‘join the cause’ and send in a single dime to President Roosevelt. This “March of Dimes” raised $1.8 million in the first year with $238,000 arriving one dime at a time.
• In 2012, Salvation Army bell ringers raised a record $139 million – one coin or dollar bill at a time.

A dollar can really stretch a lot further than you may think. Read Oprah’s eight examples of how donations from $1-$8 can make a difference in someone’s life. By combining your donation with others, your impact will grow. Try doing this. Small Can Be Big lets you help someone in need right now—even if you don’t have a lot to give.

One dime or dollar at a time — when added together every donation will have an impact.

Suggested Reading:

Give a Little: How your small donations can transform our world, by Wendy Smith