I spent nearly seven years of my career in non-profit fundraising. I’m proud to say that in that time, I helped raise over $60 million dollars for children and the arts, and have independently donated thousands of hours of my time (and still do) to causes from animals to children to women’s issues to homelessness. And I am intensely passionate about finding and supporting causes. I think there are few greater gifts that you can give back to the world than a contribution of you: time, expertise, resources.

Today is Blog Action Day, where thousands of bloggers across the globe are lending their voices and blogs to the cause of poverty.  Thousands of them have posted amazing, brilliant, creative, and inspiring words about incredible ways to make an impact on the world’s impoverished. You can find many of them here.

Poverty is a cause that I don’t know as much about as I should, so today’s action day has prompted me to educate myself and do my part. The facts are staggering, and what I’m reading today reinforces my desire to make a difference somehow.

But I’d like to dedicate my space in the blogosphere to the idea of philanthropy as a whole, and why it should be a critical part of anyone’s life (including businesses). Poverty isn’t just monetary. There are needs everywhere, for nearly everything.

Giving to others is the most fundamentally human element I can think of. Generosity of time, of spirit, of money and wealth, of knowledge. There is always someone, somewhere that has less than you do, and who could benefit from just a bit of your expertise. Don’t think you have anything to give? Please try. Find a cause you love – animal shelters, seriously ill children, non-profits themselves, hunger in America, domestic violence, homelessness, human rights. There are millions – yes, millions – of organizations around the globe doing unimaginably inspiring things with precious few resources and the passion of the people behind them.

Take it from someone with experience: that $5 you give DOES matter. But if money isn’t something you have to spare, give of your time. There are thousands of organizations that need you.

As a business, consider supporting a cause that’s close to you. Sponsorships, in-kind donations of goods and services, even cause-related marketing are all wonderful ways to support organizations in your community. And don’t do it because you get your logo in a brochure somewhere. Do it because it matters, and it will drive your passion for your work.

Giving, in any way, enriches us all.

image by Mr. Kris