I know a couple of business owners in Canmore who were inundated with requests to support every local event, fundraiser or charity for years. Because of the nature of the business, the requests were often for supplies, products or staff to support an event.
They’re generous guys and genuinely like to help the community, but each request failed to consider that they were the fifth one that week. If the guys said they couldn’t help, suddenly they were the villains.
They decided to pick one cause that mattered to them and give their full support. That way, they still got to do their part. And when the inevitable next request came in, they could say, “We’d love to help, but our charitable efforts support (insert name here).”
I often get requests to donate artwork, money, or even commissions. But years ago, I decided to follow the same route and only donate my time, efforts and funds to support wild animals. For years, I’ve made an automatic monthly donation to The Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation in Coaldale, Alberta.
I know the money they get supports an independent operation with hardworking people. Colin Weir has worked for decades rescuing eagles, owls, hawks and other birds, rehabilitating and releasing them back into the wild. They’re a registered charity and receive no government funding. Though I don’t get there as often as I’d like, each time I go, I see the evidence of their great work.
Though they don’t make a lot of requests and sell my work in their gift shop, I donate my skills to Discovery Wildlife Park. Each year, I update their park map to reflect any changes. I’ve done a life-size cartoon bear portrait for them, and they know they can ask for my help whenever needed.
I’m not breaking the bank with either of those donations, but if I can save them a little on graphic design costs here and there, I’m happy to help. As for the bird sanctuary, regular monthly donations allow a charity or cause to budget for future projects and operating costs because they know that money from their regular donors is coming next month and the month after.
I hear from time to time that I should do a special edition series or offer some item and give a share of the profits to a charity. When you make a donation contingent on sales, it can come across as a marketing gimmick rather than a genuine desire to help a charity. There’s also little accountability unless you’re willing to open your books to the public. By donating to causes personally important to me, it has nothing to do with whether an item sold well or not.
So today, on Giving Tuesday, a day after the traditional excess of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals and discount shopping, I have a request. No, I’m not asking you to send me money or buy my stuff.
I’d like to encourage you to find a cause you can support with a small monthly donation.
Do a little research. Find a cause you care about that may not get much support but really needs it. It’s easy to give to the massive global or national machine charities whose names we all know, but many of them are bloated with bureaucracy, and the money you send each month may go to some board member’s parking reimbursement or pay for their breakfast at a convention.
Find something small, maybe even local, where your donation matters. When you can’t donate your time, a little money each month will support the efforts of those who can.
We’re constantly assaulted with bad news, but good people do great work every day to try and make a difference. Help a few of them out if you can.
Cheers,
Patrick
