Why You Should Donate To UNICEF

January 2, 2017 by

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The holiday season brings up thoughts of love, warmth and giving. While you’re busy giving presents to your friends and family, don’t forget to give back to those less fortunate as well. When you’re choosing a charity, it’s extremely important to make sure you’re giving to the right one. Make sure you’re supporting an organization that holds similar values to your own. One of the best organizations to donate to is the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, which supports UNICEF’s work on behalf of children all around the world.

UNICEF stops at nothing to save and protect the most vulnerable children globally. UNICEF has been around for 70 years, and 40 years ago, the organization realized it could save millions of lives by promoting low-cost, high-impact interventions. One example of such an intervention was providing ready-to-use therapeutic food for kids who were suffering from severe acute malnutrition. The intervention could even be as simple as teaching kids to wash their hands.

When you choose a charity, the work the charity is doing should be urgent and important. UNICEF’s cause fully embodies this. Whenever earthquakes, hurricanes or floods strike, UNICEF delivers aid to children and their families who are affected worldwide. The organization travels to these locations regardless of war or geography. UNICEF also immunizes millions against polio, as well as maternal and neonatal tetanus and measles.

Another important thing to investigate is whether the charity you want to donate to is truly a non-profit organization. If it is, it should have 501(c)3 certification from the IRS. If it doesn’t, your donation is unlikely to be tax deductible. The organization should also disclose its finances and its financial health. UNICEF meets all these requirements and more.

Now that you’ve decided on an organization, think about your giving budget and how you can maximize your charitable donation. If you have a lot of money to give away, you still want to make sure your gift will be put to good use. Choose a non-profit that’s efficient and spends your money wisely. Make sure most of the spending will be going to the stated mission of the organization. See if charity watchdog groups have recognized that charity. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF fits all of these criteria as well. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF also meets the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability. Charity Navigator has continuously given the U.S. Fund for UNICEF the highest ratings for transparency, administration and accountability.

One of the best things about the U.S. Fund for UNICEF is that its program expense ratio continues to stay at 90 percent. This means that 90 cents out of each dollar spent goes directly toward helping children. Seven of those cents are spent on fundraising costs and 3 cents are spent on administration. With these numbers, the U.S. Fund is in the top tier of charities nationwide.

It is often said that the children are our future. If you want kids around the world to have access to food, clothing shelter, education and more, UNICEF is the best organization to donate to, because you know that a large portion of your donation will go directly to helping kids globally.

Filed Under: Charity, Mark Bronner Diamonds

4 Ways To Research A Charity Before You Give

September 11, 2016 by

4 Ways To Research A Charity Before You Give

Giving to charity is a wonderful thing that people enjoy doing, but making sure that the money is going to go to good use, is another story. While donating to a cause that you care about is incredibly kind and generous, you always want to do some research on the charity you want to give to before sending the money, just to be safe. Because there are so many millions of charities set up these days, some of them might not actually be what they say they are.

These 4 tools will help you to confirm that the charity you wish to donate to is worthy of the cause.

CharityNavigator.org

Find top-rated charities in every field. Look for organizations that have received a four star rating for consecutive years. Charity Navigator works to guide intelligent giving. By guiding intelligent giving, it aims to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace, in which givers and the charities they support work in tandem to overcome our nation’s and the world’s most persistent challenges.

CharityWatch.org

The official site of the American Philanthropic Institute allows anyone to search for information (good and bad) on hundreds of charities. CharityWatch does not merely repeat what a charity reports using simplistic or automated formulas. It dives deep to let you know how efficiently a charity will use your donation to fund the programs you want to support. CharityWatch also exposes nonprofit abuses and advocates for your interests as a donor.

BBB.org

The Better Business Bureau’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. Search the Better Business Bureau’s site to research international and domestic charities and learn which ones are accredited by the BBB.

Google.com

Search online for news and reviews of a charity. Keep in mind that on the internet anyone can say anything for any reason. Always consider the source, taking no claim (positive or negative) seriously unless backed by factual evidence.

Filed Under: Charity, Mark Bronner Diamonds

Philanthropic Ways To Get Involved In Your Own Neighborhood

November 11, 2015 by

Being involved in philanthropy is a great way to give back to your community and contribute to making the world a better place. These days in our busy and overscheduled world, it can become hard to find the time to attend philanthropic events or groups. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, and feel like we don’t have the time or energy to give back to the community in a big way. However, giving back isn’t measured by the amount of money you donate or the number of fancy events you attend. There are plenty of ways to be philanthropic right in your own neighborhood.

If you’re looking for a way to give back to your community with a group of people or by yourself, here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling.

Clean Up! You don’t have to be an official cleaning crew to get to work! Gather a few families, friends or do it by yourself! All you need is some trash bags and some gloves. Head to a place that could use a little love, and leave it better then it was when you found it. Maybe you’ll even inspire others to do the same.

Offer to help. Is your neighbor going through something that makes life stressful? New babies, moves, or the loss of a relative can really throw people for a loop. If you know someone who might need some help, show up at their house with a simple meal, or maybe mow their lawn. Small gestures can make all the difference during a stressful time, and giving back can happen even on the simplest level.

Sing a Song. You have the potential to brighten the day of an entire retirement home by walking in and signing ONE song. It’s something so simple, but so greatly appreciated by the residents. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy—folk songs and old standards are great, because everyone can sing along. Bonus points if you can bring someone who knows how to play a guitar or piano!

Keep Someone Company. Many communities have senior centers with programs linking seniors and younger people, offering companionship and company for an hour here and there. Childrens Hospitals are another great place to go and spend time with someone who could really use the company and conversation. Do a search for your local centers and hospitals and inquire how you might help.

Plant Something. Want your neighborhood to be a little greener? Make it happen! Organize a planting party and beautify your surroundings. Whether you’re building a community garden or planting some flowers in your neighbor’s yard, you are giving back to your community in a big way! Just make sure to check with your city to ensure you’re planting in the right areas, especially if you’re planting trees.

Neighborhoods are made great by the people within them, so don’t be afraid to lead the way. Your efforts will come back to you tenfold, as you enjoy the neighborhood that you’ve fostered!

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People Undergoing Root Canals May Have Gained A Powerful Yet Tiny New Ally — Diamonds

November 1, 2015 by

People undergoing root canals may have gained a powerful yet tiny new ally — diamonds.

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More than 15 million painful-yet-necessary root canal procedures are performed in the U.S. each year to protect us from tooth infections. But complications such as infection can arise post-surgery. Teeth infections can lead to tooth loss which is something the UCLA School of Dentistry is trying to prevent! In a new study at UCLA, they have found that these post-surgery infections can be warded off by a girl’s best friend: diamonds!

Nanodiamonds, specifically, were the subject of the researchers’ study. Thousands of times smaller than a human hair, at about four to five nanometers in diameter, nanodiamonds have the shape of very tiny soccer balls and are the byproduct of diamond mining and refining. They’ve also been widely explored for use in dentistry, cancer therapy, and regenerative medicine, among other applications. Combining the nanodiamonds with current root canal therapy, scientists at UCLA fortified a material that could significantly improve the outcomes of root canal patients.

Typically during a root canal, the area inside a tooth where there are nerves and blood vessels are is removed by dentists and refilled with a polymer called “gutta percha.” The purpose of the polymer is to act as a sealant and prevent future infection. However, gutta percha isn’t always successful in ridding a tooth of infection, in part due to the material not being a complete solid.

Using a compound that consisted of nanodiamonds and the traditional gutta percha mixture, the team at UCLA conducted an experiment on human teeth. One set of teeth was tested with nanodiamond-reinforced gutta percha while another set was tested with gutta percha by itself.

The traditional gutta percha mixture left small gaps in the canal — making the tooth susceptible to harmful bacteria. However, as predicted, the nanodiamond gutta percha mixture proved much stronger than traditional methods. By eliminating space for bacteria to fill within the tooth, the nanodiamond mixture allowed for a lower chance of infections or other complications following a root canal.

“The nanodiamond-enhanced gutta percha combines many desirable properties into a single platform, including vastly improved mechanical characteristics and the ability to combat bacterial infection following a root canal,” said UCLA study author Dong-Keun Lee in a press release.

Over the next two years, the team plans to optimize the nanodiamond-reinforced gutta percha formulation, and begin clinical trials at UCLA. To read more about this study or future research at The UCLA School of Dentistry, click here.

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A Different Kind of Diamond

September 28, 2015 by

When we talk about diamonds, we usually reference jewlery; but diamonds also symbolize importance, unique qualities, and beauty that reaches way beneath our skin and touches deep into our hearts. The Four Diamonds Fund is an example of this beauty. It is a charitable organization based out of Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, whose ultimate goal is to conquer childhood cancer. After all, children are the diamonds of the world – nothing can shine brighter than them.

Mark Bronner Diamonds

The Four Diamonds Fund was established in 1972 after Charles and Irma Millard lost their 14-year-old son to cancer. The name of the fund, The Four Diamonds, derives from a fantasy story Christopher wrote shortly before passing away from pediatric cancer. A fund whose foundations are built on compassion and hope, and whose objectives are built from love and support. A child whose dreams can live on through charity.

The fund assists children who are being treated through Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, and their families by providing support, research, and valuable care. There is a three-pronged approach to the way the Four Diamonds Fund is organized and functions: through medical care, financial and emotional support, and through pediatric cancer research. Any child who is being treated for pediatric cancer at Penn State Hershey is eligible to take part in this program, in which the fund’s policy covers all medical costs not paid by insurance in hopes that families never have to see a hospital bill. Each year, there are around 90 new families that receive support.

Overall, The Four Diamonds Fund shows us that diamonds live deep within, through charitable acts, smiles, and most importantly, through love. Diamonds may be seemingly rare in the world of jewelry, but in our everyday life they surround us – they are our brothers, sisters, parents, friends, the people closest to our hearts.

 

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Giving Back: Diamonds International

September 14, 2015 by

Diamonds International is a nonprofit organization that supports dozens of charity causes in impoverished communities each year. Some of these causes include: funding education, construction efforts to rebuild areas destroyed by natural disasters, cancer research, providing treatment. You can find out about Diamonds International’s many locations and support a cause that you feel most connected with by visiting their website here.

Mark Bronner Diamonds

Diamonds International was first found on the Caribbean island, St. Thomas, and now holds over 125 stores across the world after just twenty years. The main goals of the organization is to sell high quality, affordable jewelry to various customers whose profits are donated to the many charity causes the organization supports. The organization’s owners and employees are unbelievable grateful for the opportunities they get to “say ‘thank you’ for allowing us to be part of your life than with a gift to make a less fortunate person’s life a happier one,” (Diamonds International Corporate Responsibility: What We Do).

Mark Bronner Diamonds

The organization gives back to communities all around the world, from the Caribbean, to Africa, Guatemala, and areas all over the United States. Diamonds International caters to various aspects of certain communities. For example, the Lend-a-Hand project that takes place annually in Aruba gets together 17 Diamonds International employees with teachers and member of the parents committee from Anglo Kleuterschool located in Madiki, Oranjestad to show the true essence of teamwork. In past years, remodeling of the school has been one of their largest projects, which included uplifting the playground, repainting classrooms, and ensuring that all areas of the school were safe and secure for students.

Diamonds International’s mission statement is “Making the world a bright place one gift at a time.” Which is exactly what they do.

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How to Make the Most Out of Your Community Serivce

August 28, 2015 by

Community service should be looked at in a positive light in order for you to get the most out of your experience. You may think back to a time when your parents forced you to volunteer at the local community center, or participate in a midnight run around Christmas time, and thought of it as a chore. But, if you change your mindset community service can be something you look forward to and dedicate to on a more regular basis. Here are a few tips to help you make the most out of your community service:

Mark Bronner Diamonds

First, helping others makes you feel good. Not only are you giving back to your community and helping those in need feel better, but the actual act of charity can elevate the levels of serotonin in your brain – making you feel great about yourself. By giving back, you recognize the power that a single person has on other lives, that you really can make a difference in the world, despite what you may have thought before.

Second, you can cater your community service to something you are passionate towards and therefore spend time working in a field you love. For example, if you love teaching and one day hope to become one (or if it’s just for fun), you can volunteer at after school programs and help children with subjects they are struggling in. This way, you can gain experience teaching all while helping children become better students and inspiring them along the way. If you are passionate about the environment, you may want to think about volunteering at a community clean-up day, or perhaps an event that raising awareness of pollution or anything else environmentally-related.

That being said, you can use community service as a resume-builder to help you gain experience in a field that you are looking to make a career out of. This way when you are going for job interviews, your interviewer will not only notice that you have experience, but that you are an active member of your community and are so motivated to work in a particular field that you’ve done it for free. Side note: having volunteer experience in your resume always looks good.

Last, being involved in your community will help you develop strong relationships that will stay with you wherever you go. Committing to community service helps you make friends you may not have otherwise met or thought of speaking to, and you’ll realize that the world is filled with wonderful, different types of people with kinds souls.

Community service will lift your spirits on the world as a whole, and you will be astonished by how much of a difference one person can make.

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Queen of Philanthropy

July 28, 2015 by

Mark Bronner Diamonds 55b46a307dbb6.imagePageants are renowned for churning out crown-worthy queens, each with their own “personal mission” to answer the many questions thrown at them during the Q&A portions of their competition. Topics range from solving world hunger, to fighting the AIDS epidemic, but few winners make good on their promises to change the world. McAlester’s pageant winner, Sanders, is looking to change that tradition.

Many philanthropic issues are used as a stage, a platform for attention. Sanders feels that if you’re to champion a cause, it needs to be seen through. “One in four children in America will grow up without learning how to read,” Sanders says. “Two out of three children who cannot read by 4th grade end up in jail or on welfare.” Pioneering her program “The Storybook Exchange,” Sanders hopes to get books into the hands of those young minds who so desperately need to be stimulated.

During the years following her coronation, Sanders’ program was able to give away 15,000 books to children in the surrounding area thanks in part to financial support from corporate sponsors. With lofty goals for this year, the philanthropic spirit still burns brightly inside this pageant queen. “This year I hope to give away 25,000 books, and this year we hope to get $5,000 [in corporate donations].” Encouraging anyone to give whatever they can, Miss McAlester believes that no donation is too small.

In a time where promises made eclipse promises fulfilled, Miss McAlester has risen above her peers. Deserving of the crown placed upon her head, this queen will not let her reign pass unmarked. Giving the gift of education, inspiration, and imagination to thousands is a treasure beyond measure, and one the people of McAlester are sure to remember. For more on the queen who truly rules, follow the link here.

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New York City Charity Events

June 25, 2015 by

Whether you are a resident of New York City, or just there for a visit, there are always ways for you to make one of your days spent in the big apple extra meaningful by devoting it to charity work. Organizations like City Meals on Wheels, the Robin Hood Foundation, Learning Leaders, and Seeds of Peace always have opportunities for you to lend a hand to help out those who struggle in NYC.

Along with these great organizations comes charity events that you won’t want to miss if you’re in New York. Year-round there are different events that you can partake in depending on what kind of charity or nonprofit organization you feel most strongly about. Whether you want to raise money for cancer research, promote a green environment, or improve education, there are plenty of philanthropy events that you can choose from.

Not sure what kind of organization you want to help raise awareness for? It’s always nice to gleam at what some of the most prominent figures in philanthropy and the arts are doing. Here are three of the most infamous charity events that take place in NYC throughout the year to help give you some inspiration:

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First is the annual New York Junior League Winter Ball, which usually takes place at The Pierre at the beginning of March. This event is the organization’s largest fundraiser of each year, and focuses on honoring seven outstanding volunteers. The New York Junior League is one of the oldest and largest women’s nonprofit volunteer organizations in the city and aims to give volunteers leadership skills needed to take charge and help change their communities for the betterment of humanity. Over 550 guests will attend this black tie event, which typically has a specific theme that attendees always admire.

mark bronner diamonds new yorkers for children

Second is the New Yorkers for Children Fool’s Fete, an event that brings together not only elite member on the guest list, but passionate volunteers who care whole-heartedly about the needs for foster children living in NYC and other parts of New York. Past attendees have included Selita Ebanks, Josh Hartnett, and Coco Rocha. In previous years, the event has taken place in mid April at the Mandarin Oriental.

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The last charity event on this list is the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Chaplin Award Gala, located in the Avery Fisher Hall section of the Lincoln Center. Typically, this event takes place in late April and has included guests like Barbara Streisand and Bill Clinton. The Chaplin Award Gala aims to support ongoing work in education, artist development, and cross-cultural film outreach – the core qualities of the organization.

For more information on various charity events and organizations across New York City, make sure to check out this link, which will provide an extensive list of NYC nonprofits.

 

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Blogging For Your Charity

May 22, 2015 by

mark bronner diamonds charity blog

Creating a blog for a charity you care about or work for is a great way to increase publicity and fundraising. According to a recent article published on Know-How Nonprofit that details how to create a blog page for a particular charity, blogging can help nonprofit organizations in various ways. Here’s a recap on how blogging can help charities:

First, blogging is a great way to communicate with others. Because we live in such a technological era, most everyone can be found on the internet. Thus, the internet has become a central communication tool for a wide range of people. In addition, blogging is a particular part of the internet that can gain authority and quickly share important information. According to Know-How Nonprofit:

“It’s important to have a place that you can link to for more information and for follow-up, instead of sharing news or updates only in a tweet or facebook message, and especially if it is just in an email newsletter. A blog can provide the space for sharing news, announcements, stories, and other information and let you reshare and distribute it all over the web,” (How to Create a Blog for Your Charity).

Plus, people can often find your Facebook and Twitter accounts through your blog page, so it will generate a lot of engagement for your charity.

Creating a blog page for your charity can also give you a chance to tell people about your cause from various, entertaining angles. A blog page can also incorporate videos, pictures, slideshows, and music (among others). These platforms give you the opportunity to tell a story through multimedia that will help your viewers understand your charity not only through words on a blog post, but through these other platforms.

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Lastly, a blog page is a great way to start conversations within your community of readers and supporters. According to Know-How Nonprofit, “Whether you are asking for feedback, sharing stories, or urging people to take action, providing a place for your community to share back with you shows your openness to feedback and interest in the community,” (How to Create a Blog for Your Charity).

For further information on creating a blog page and blogging for your charity, check out Know-How Nonprofit’s article here.

Filed Under: Charity, Mark Bronner Diamonds