Black Friday. Small Business Saturday. Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday. These days have become synonymous with this time of year. It can also be difficult to reflect on all we’ve been blessed with.
Trisha Finnegan speaking at the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City | Club 29.
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s President & CEO Trisha Finnegan was the keynote speaker at the December 3rd meeting of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City | Club 29, where she talked about the power of generosity. How it can affect and lift a community and how we can break through that feeling of fatigue when we’re asked to give.
Oklahomans are generous. The Center for Nonprofits 2024 Sector Data shows that Oklahoma has 21 thousand nonprofits across the state and volunteers put in 94.5 million service hours to create an economic impact of $2.2 billion.
These numbers are impressive when you see them on paper. But the fact is, people are giving less and less each year. According to the Generosity Commission, a project of Giving USA and the Giving Institute, twenty years ago 66 percent of all households in America gave to charitable organizations. In 2018 however, household giving has now dropped below 50 percent – the lowest rate in 40 years. In addition to giving being down, people are volunteering less. In 2019 30% of people volunteered their time – two years later that was down to 23%.
We can simplify, take action and encourage others.
The biggest impact this trend has had has been on our nonprofits. 88% of all U.S. Nonprofits have budgets less than $500K and 45% of those have no financial reserves so the decline in giving hits them hard.
How do we help turn this trend around? “We can simplify, take action and encourage others.”
By simplifying, you must ask yourself – what inspires you, and what brings you joy? What are the communities that matter to you? What future do you want for your community? When you take action, you can make generosity part of your everyday – donate monthly, set a budget, activate your workplace and consider non-cash gifts. Finally, you can encourage others – share your joy, engage your family and volunteer, and if you choose to do that, invite a friend. More is possible.
Let’s inspire others so that all may realize the Power of Generosity.
Trisha Finnegan with Ross Ploude & Marnie Taylor at the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City | Club 29.