What Makes You Want to Donate?

What Makes You Want to Donate?

What makes you want to donate?

As Nicole Ash and I sat in our virtual Zoom office, thinking about the specific fundraising campaigns for the upcoming year to cover the cost of managing Overcoming Odds (producing podcast episodes, curating stories that people share, organizing virtual events, holding weekly space for deep, meaningful conversations), I began to think about my own experience of donating and the challenges I had faced prior to making those decisions.

I asked myself, “What is the real challenge of donating? Is it not knowing how the money will be spent? Is it lack of trust between the donor and the organization? Is it something completely different?”

Although, I think trust, credibility and/or personal connection to the cause play a role, I began to think that there was more to it.

For me, my thoughts led me to a feeling.

I think the act of donating and how much I donate is measured by the feeling that comes over me.

In particular, the feeling of what it took to earn the money.

As I looked at the previous experiences where I chose to give, I noticed a difference between giving $5 verses $10.

Both decisions were intentional, the difference was the perceived reality of what it took to earn either the $5 or $10.

In my mind, it appeared more difficult to earn $10 than $5.

The labor was the same, but the difference is how long it took to earn the amount.

Today, I challenge you to donate $5 to a cause of your choice, AND ask one other person to donate $5 to a cause of their choice.

Think about the difference we could all make by doing this.

What is the value that you placed on the $5? Does it register as a $5 donation in your mind? Does it make you feel good to donate? Do you realize you are making a difference?

Should you choose to donate to Overcoming Odds, in advance, my gratitude and appreciation.

Let us all take a moment and think about the significant impact we can have on our communities who need our donations.


Oleg Lougheed is the host of the Overcoming Odds Podcast, where you get a glimpse into the stories of individuals who have overcome adversity, suffering, and struggle in achieving their personal success.

S. Scott Mason

The Myth Slayer?? Transformational Coach for Attorneys ?? 2x TEDx Speaker ?? Ignite Rebirth, Inspiration, & Bold Impact ?? I Want Your Future to Be EPIC!

4 年

What a genuinely creative and thought-provoking article. Love it; great work!!

Penny Stayropoulos, CFA, CIM, TEP, CFP, FMA

Your Wealth Conscience, Investment and Planning Professional

4 年

Oleg Lougheed I have experienced events in my life where I’ve been on the receiving end of charitable donations. What drives me to give back is knowing sometimes people just need support for a brief moment in time.

Summer D. Watson, MHS, PhD

Dr. Summer Watson, owner of KORE Women, helps companies develop thriving cross-generational leadership and mentorship programs, while also consulting on AI integration to improve business efficiency and innovation.

4 年

I am all about offering my time and donations to non-profits. I started my professional career working in non-profit and I am also on the Executive Board of a non-profit. Much of my time, effort, and energy has gone into the support of non-profits. I usually donate to non-profits that I have engaged with, are fully transparent about their financials, and take on and mentor young folks that can learn so much in relation to practical and professional experience.

Nate Peo

Builder of Homes, Communities, and People | Vice President of Purchasing

4 年

Is my donation going to make an impact? That’s what I think about. That and the number of causes to choose from.

Hallie Avolio

Say ?F*ck Yes!? to ABUNDANCE, JOY, CREATIVITY| Mindset + Intuition + Action = Success! | Freelance Consulting - Marketing, Sales, LinkedIn

4 年

It does make me feel good to donate when it is the right cause. It’s also a sign of abundance and understanding that you give more than you take. I will be making some donations before the end of the year to organizations that I feel strongly about. Oleg Lougheed

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Oleg Lougheed的更多文章

  • What would my life have been like if I wasn’t adopted?

    What would my life have been like if I wasn’t adopted?

    What would my life have been like if I wasn’t adopted? I’ve thought about this question often. I remember the day some…

  • Learning to Feel

    Learning to Feel

    I missed my birth family. I wanted to see them again.

  • Overcoming the Fear of Taking Action

    Overcoming the Fear of Taking Action

    “Welcome” spelled out in big, block letters across a piece of plywood. A long, winding path unfolded in front of me…

    4 条评论
  • Overcoming the Fear of Death

    Overcoming the Fear of Death

    Part 3 - Overcoming the Fear of Death [Part 1 & Part 2 in the comments below] The morning light had slowly made its way…

    1 条评论
  • Why do we need each other?

    Why do we need each other?

    What are your needs? At the most basic level, your needs are food, water, and shelter. If you have these necessities…

  • What do you fear the most?

    What do you fear the most?

    What do you fear the most? A few weeks ago, I had asked a group of fellow travelers this question as I was finalizing…

    5 条评论
  • How do you acknowledge your own shortcomings?

    How do you acknowledge your own shortcomings?

    “Are you safe?” Ever since I landed in Ghana, this has been one of the most frequently asked questions from friends in…

    6 条评论
  • How are you making others feel valued and seen?

    How are you making others feel valued and seen?

    “Good morning, Boss!” The other day, a friend of mine had said these words as he was talking to the Uber driver. It…

    1 条评论
  • Be Good to Strangers

    Be Good to Strangers

    The Uber driver asked, “Do you want to know one difference between United States of America and Ghana?” I said, “Yes, I…

    10 条评论
  • Was it worth waiting 6 hours in -12° ???

    Was it worth waiting 6 hours in -12° ???

    Was it worth waiting SIX hours in -12° ??? F#@$ YES! Two days prior, I didn’t think I’d get a chance to see them. I was…

    1 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了