The Generosity Experiment: Day 15
Finding out what happens when you look for opportunities to give. To start from Day 1, click here.
I loved reading all of your wonderful comments and ideas on where to donate this year and how your family is making a difference this Christmas! Thank you for taking time to share.
Based on your suggestions and my own research, here is a list (not exhaustive by any means!) of ideas of where you can donate from your abundance. Please don’t be upset if I didn’t select a wonderful cause or organization that you suggested or are passionate about. As we all know there are thousands of worthy ministries to give to and not enough space in this post.
My own criteria has been two fold:
Does my heart match God’s priorities?
- “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after oprhans and widows in their distress.” James 1:27
- “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought money from the sale,” Acts 4:34
- “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.” Leviticus 19:32
Am I reaching out to my local community, my nation, and the world? I want to create a healthy balance.
So, after much deliberation, here is my attempt at the Top 10 of my favorites ministries to give to this year:
- International Princess Project – Advocates for women enslaved in prostitution, mainly in India, helping them restore their lives and empower them to be free. Through your donation you’ll receive a fun pair of punjammies!
- Blood Water Mission – Empowering communities in Africa to work together against the HIV & Water crisis. You’ll recognize some of their spokespeople.
- Heavenly Treasures – From Bolivia to Guatamala to Kyrgyzstan they equip and assist people in developing countries to break the cycle of poverty through their handiwork and creativity. You can creatively donate and shop at the same time. These projects are very small enterprises, ranging from one refugee family to a group of village women, all in need of a consistent income.
- Jesus Film Project – If you’re a visual person like me, watching a story has such a greater impact on me than reading it or hearing about it. This division of Campus Crusade for Christ, travels to the remote parts of the globe to every tongue and tribe. You could reach up to 240 people with the message of salvation for $60 in their own language.
- American Bible Society – You can put God’s word in the hands of new believers in China for $75 or to persecuted international believers for $80 or deliver Bible storybooks to the children that live below the poverty line in the U.S. for only $23.
- Compassion International – They are releasing children from spiritual, physical, social and economic poverty all over the world in the name of Jesus. You can sponsor a child like I do for only $38 per month. You can have a one on one relationship with your child, praying and supporting them by name.
- Reece’s Rainbow – We all know someone that is in the process of adopting internationally. But these soon-to-be parents have decided to adopt an international special needs child. You can help them make that a reality. The founder’s story is amazing!
- Salvation Army Angel Tree – I know this is a tradition for most people, but if you’ve waited until the last minute, no worries. They’ve created three easy ways to donate and never leave your laptop. After recently meeting a local mom that was almost beaten to death by her husband while she was pregnant (he is now in prison for this crime) and is trying to survive and provide a Christmas for her soon-to-be 8 year old and 8 month old, the local Prison Angel Tree has new meaning to me.
- Sweet Sleep – A bed for every head. That’s their cry. You can go on a trip, bea bedhead, or build a bed with your kids.
- Remember your church’s mission team, local ministries, and students that don’t have enough money to attend a Christian summer camp that your kids go to every year.
By: Someone You May Know
P.S. Thanks commenting on The Generosity Experiment posts. The winners of a set of the Nester Christmas tassels (one to keep and one for a perfect package topper) are as follows: Linda, Becky, Sharon, Kristen, BIBM, Elizabeth, Claire, Joye, Bindu, Deb, and Elaine.
Please email Stephanie your physical address so she can drop your tassels in the mail to you in time for Dec. 25th. If you’d like to be entered to win, leave a comment on future Generosity Experiment posts and we’ll announce another round of winners soon.
Leave a Comment
Kristen - Moms Sharpening Moms says
Thanks for opening my eyes to some new-to-me organizations. Y’all rock! To Him be the glory, Amen!
Merry Christmas!
deb @talk at the table says
i am enjoying these posts, and listening to your thought process on all of it.
And a prize as a bonus! Thx
Linda says
Thanks!! What more can I say?! Your life has impacted mine and the prize will be a reminder of it. God spoke to me through it all this morning. I’ll try to send an email though my friend who know you about something I journaled this morning. I’ll have her forward it, since I don’t know who you are. 🙂 Christmas Blessings to you. May they return 100 fold in unexpected measures. Gratefully,
Libby H says
I have a friend on the board of the Blood Water Project. It IS an amazing organization. Thanks for mentioning them!
Kitty says
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