“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
Every year individuals, foundations and governments spend over $500 billion on efforts to improve the world. We fund research to cure cancer, send donations to help rebuild communities after natural disasters, give money to rescue animals, and invest in thousands of other initiatives. Yet, even with this amount spent annually, it is not enough to address growing needs around the world.
At Innolect, our vision is To Better the World… With this in mind, we encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect on at least one pressing problem you wish you could solve in the world. Now imagine that you’ve been awarded a $5 million grant to help solve a problem in your backyard. As you consider what to support, ask yourself the following questions:
💜 How will you determine what is important to you?
💜 Will your giving focus on improving the lives of others and address social issues such as human trafficking, social justice, affordable housing, healthcare, immigration, food insecurity, etc.? Or will you focus on the environment, endangered species, etc.?
💜 How will you prioritize the greatest needs?
💜 How will you distribute the funds?
💜 Which organizations do you trust with a track-record of fiscal responsibility?
💜 How will you measure the impact?
December is a time when many consider end-of-year giving and ways to Pay It Forward. No matter the size of the gift, we encourage wise philanthropic giving. Before donating, invest a little time in the following:
💡 Review a nonprofit’s performance on Charity Navigator. To determine how much of a gift is going to the actual mission.
💡 Evaluate the nonprofit’s fiscal health, such as the ratio of administrative costs to program expenses.
💡 Measure and track your investment. Read an organization’s annual report to learn about the impact of donations to determine whether to renew a commitment in 2022.
💡 Focus on those nonprofits that share your values and mission. Consider the Blackbaud Index to gain up-to-date information on charitable giving.
How will you Pay It Forward this holiday season? Each year, Innolect shares a percentage of our profits. For 2021, we’ve chosen Feeding America and Habitat for Humanity.
Wishing you, your families and your team a season of gratitude that lasts year-round,
Kittie Watson, Ph.D.
President & Founder
KittieW@innolectinc.com