Chances are, you are a philanthropist. We’ve already established this. Personal wealth certainly is not a requirement for philanthropy and you don’t need have a family foundation or give so much that you receive fantastic tax credits to make a big difference. In fact, did you know that individuals make up 75 percent of giving in America? Did you also know that 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.

Chances are, you are a philanthropist. We’ve already established this. Personal wealth certainly is not a requirement for philanthropy and you don’t need have a family foundation or give so much that you receive fantastic tax credits to make a big difference. In fact, did you know that individuals make up 75 percent of giving in America? Did you also know that 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.

And while big donations are important, what about little donations? Have you ever considered not giving because you don’t think that your ‘small’ donation will make a difference? If so, think again. Because in a word, YES. It will.

Examples of small donations making a big impact:

• The Center for Responsive Politics estimates that two-thirds of U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann’s third quarter 2010 fundraising came from donations of less than $200.
• On the other side of the aisle, in January 2008 Barack Obama raised $28 million online, with 90 percent of those transactions coming from people who donated $100 or less, and 40 percent from donors who gave $25 or less.
• This blogger reports on the difference her father’s company was able to make in the lives of children in Africa whose families could not afford their annual school tuition of $21.
• Last spring, Houston Elementary School in Spartanburg, S.C. raised $2,000 for Children’s Chance, a South Carolina nonprofit that provides non medical assistance for families during a child’s cancer treatment and recovery, by selling Zig the Pig merchandise, contributing dollars and change, hosting a BBQ lunch, raffle and ‘Hat Day’ in Zig’s honor.
• In 2009, despite the recession, Salvation Army bell ringers raised a record $139 million.

Zig the Pig from Children’s Chance

As you can see, small donations collectively have a huge impact and regardless of the size of your individual gift, it will make a difference. Whether it’s students pooling change and efforts for families with children facing cancer in South Carolina, educating children in Africa or supporting the nonprofit that is near and dear to you, every donation will truly make a difference. Just ask the Salvation Army bell ringer if your spare change has an impact.

Need more reasons to give even if the dollar amount seems small?

1. Most organizations, no matter how big or small, need all the help they can get.
2. Small donations add up.
3. It’s not the size of the contribution that matters; what matters is the outcome your giving produces.
4. Regardless of the amount we are able to contribute, the heart of the donor is what counts – that’s you.
5. Not only will you make a difference in the lives of others, your life will be changed.

Regardless of the amount, most giving requires some level of sacrifice on the donor’s part. And, collectively, all of our donations impact our community and the world. So be proud of the difference you and your family are making.

Suggested Reading:

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