Entrepreneurs have the special ability to create financial abundance, and I believe it is our
responsibility to make the most of this opportunity so we can help others in need
When you’re in business because you’re passionate about what you do and want to truly make a difference, the money aspect can seem unimportant in the big scheme of things–unless you take a moment to think about the impact you could make if you were running your business at it’s full potential.
I’m a little embarrassed about how long this took me to realize, that growing my business beyond what I needed to support my family was not selfish, it gives me the ability to make an even larger impact on others.
This is why for every business owner that makes an investment with me to grow the business that lights them up I give a portion of that investment to a non-profit that I believe in.
Here are the three non-profits I have
chosen to support this year:
Make-A-Wish®
“Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.”
Make-A-Wish® has been granting wishes for children with critical illnesses since 1980. It is the nation’s largest wish-granting organization. It has fulfilled the wishes of more than 300,000 children in the United States and its territories.
Being a dreamer and having children myself, this charity is dear to me because of the impact it has on families that are going through challenges I can’t even imagine. A wish doesn’t just bring a little happiness to a child in need, it can also improve their chances of recovery.
Kiva
“Dreams are universal, opportunity is not.”
Kiva is an international non-profit that helps connect lenders with individuals that wouldn’t normally have access to funds in order to start businesses, further their education, or have the right equipment in order to grow food for their families and communities. Every dollar you lend on Kiva goes directly to funding a loan for someone in need, once the loan is repaid you can choose to reinvest your money, or withdraw it.
In this case, the portion of your fee that I will lend to Kiva will be a gift that keeps giving!
Avian Haven
“Saving Wild Birds Since 1999”
I grew up in Maine and my mom was a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. This meant that I grew up with many different kinds of animals and in addition to the various mammals we cared for, I personally helped raise over 100 birds every summer (imagine having 30-50 gaping mouths that you have to fill every 15 minutes with worms, bugs, and other foods – now you know where I learned how to multi-task!). It was hard and rewarding work , and wild birds hold a very special place in my heart.
Avian Haven is now one of the only rehabilitation centers left in New England and the work they do is incredible since 1999 they’ve saved over 26,000 birds from over 100 species. Most of the work is done by volunteers and I know from experience that work like this is not very well funded. This is why I’ve chosen this non-profit as one I would like to support more in the coming years.