Tag Archives: nonprofit

Giving Thanks and Giving Back

22 Thursday Nov 2018

Posted by in Fundraising, Giving Tips, Holidays, Special Events

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Today is a special day – Thanksgiving, a day where we gather with friends and family to STACKED_0.pngreflect on life’s greatest blessings. We love the message behind the holiday, but isn’t it ironic that less than 24 hours from now, many of us will be stampeding through retail stores to find this year’s newest tech gadget or a larger flat-screen TV? Why do we only get the one day to appreciate all that life has to offer, but multiple days dedicated to buying gifts?

The team at the Belfer Center for Innovation and Social Impact must have had similar questions because, in 2012, they introduced America to Giving Tuesday. The idea is simple. On the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (this year, it’s November 27) we take the day off from holiday shopping and instead give back.

On Thanksgiving, we give thanks.

On Black Friday, we get deals.

On Cyber Monday, we get online.

On Giving Tuesday, we give back.

How can you give back? That’s the beauty behind this holiday because the answer is any way you wish. You can choose to give time by helping a neighbor in need, give kindness by complimenting a stranger, give hope with a donation to your favorite nonprofit organization, or give knowledge to others with the power of your voice.

Regardless of whether you have $5 or $50, 10 minutes or 10 hours; all that matters is that you give. By finding a way to help your family, friends, community or organization of your choosing, you’ve done more than your part. Let’s join together to start a movement celebrating generosity and giving back.

The Lions Pride Office will be closed today and tomorrow in observance of the holiday but are excited to hear how you will be celebrating Giving Tuesday. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Wishing you and your family a happy Thanksgiving!

 

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How to Support Your Favorite Organization with Holiday Shopping

15 Thursday Nov 2018

Posted by in Giving Tips, Holidays, Lions Camp, News, Special Events

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The holiday shopping season is here. If you’re like us, you’ve already seen the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals from several major retailers. We know, we know, it seems like the shopping window increases each year, but you can take advantage of its early arrival with extra preparation time, sizable savings and an opportunity to support your favorite nonprofit organization – without spending anything more. Learn how to become an even smarter shopper with these free online tools:45749783_1042895462557318_4769862938020282368_o.png

AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon website that you know and love but allows you to an easy and automatic way to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you.

To get started you need to visit smile.amazon.com and select “Lions Pride Endowment Fund,” then start shopping. Every time you make a purchase, Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% back to Lions Pride. Consider creating a bookmark or installing the Amazon Assistant to get in the habit.

GoodSearch and GoodShop

GoodSearch is a search engine powered by Yahoo that supports nonprofit organizations in every search. Every time you choose to use GoodSearch when browsing the internet, the search engine will donate one penny to your favorite organization. One penny may not sound like a lot but imagine this: If 1000 Lions Pride supporters were to use GoodSearch twice a day for a year, they could raise a total of $7300. Wow!

Similar to AmazonSmile, GoodShop is an online shopping portal that allows you to donate to your charity of choice with every purchase you make. The site helps you find online coupons and deals with businesses all over the web. Not only are you raising money for your favorite charity, but you are also saving money. Most importantly, the operating costs to manage the site come from advertisers, so there is no fee to sign up.

Getting started with GoodShop is simple. Just visit http://www.goodsearch.com/choosecause and search for “Lions Pride.” Next, select “Lions Pride Endowment Fund.” Then, you can choose your favorite stores, and Goodshop will alert you each time there is a new coupon or sale. Who doesn’t love easy shopping?

It may be hard to believe, but the holidays will be here within the blink of an eye. If you prefer to do your shopping online, consider using one of these free tools to save money and contribute to Lions Pride when you check items off your list. With your continued support, we can work together to preserve, protect and provide for the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects.

Happy shopping!

 

 

Ways to Celebrate Sweetest Day

18 Thursday Oct 2018

Posted by in Giving Tips, Holidays, Lions Camp, Special Events

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ThereHappy Sweetest Day.png are plenty of holidays to observe in October. Bosses’ Day falls on October 16, Make a Difference Day is celebrated on October 27 and, of course, Halloween shows up each year on October 31, but there is one more holiday that we want to make sure you add to your calendar – Sweetest Day on Saturday, October 20.

We know what you’re thinking, “Great, another card-giving holiday,” however, there is truly charming reason behind this occasion.

According to Hallmark, Sweetest Day was developed by a candy store employee who lived in Cleveland, Ohio by the name of Herbert Birch Kingston. In 1922, he decided to bring happiness to those who were feeling forgotten. Together with a team, Kingston brought candy and small gifts to orphans, shut-ins and others to show their care.

By the early 1930s, celebrities started getting involved in the event. Ann Pennington handed out candy to over 2200 newspaper carriers, and Theda Bara passed out candy to theater attendees and hospital patients. The original holiday expanded to include loved ones, coworkers, acquaintances and friends. Today, Sweetest Day is still most prevalent in the Great Lakes region due to its origination.

So, how should you observe this weekend’s holiday? You could send a card or surprise someone with a box of their favorite candy, but here are a few more thoughtful approaches:

  1. Bake a batch of cookies

Who doesn’t love the taste of homemade cookies? There’s nothing like the taste of a chocolate chip cookie to brighten up even the darkest day, but it turns out that baking for others can also have a positive effect on the baker. Baking, especially when done for others, can have a whole slew of psychological benefits. If you’re in a baking mood, thinking about spreading the love by preparing a plate of cookies with someone who might need a pick-me-up. (Additionally, baking is always an incredible way to warm up the house!)

  1. Write a heartfelt letter

With the increase in technology, it seems that we have lost of the art of letter writing. Show a loved one that you’ve been thinking about them with a short, heartfelt letter. You can always send an email if you’re looking to save a stamp or send your message faster, but we can bet that a handwritten note will put a smile on your recipients’ face.

  1. Send flowers

Did you know that in addition to creating a beautiful focal point, flowers have several health benefits? Flowers can promote feelings of happiness and in people all ages. They are also believed to help balance emotions and prevent mood swings. If you know someone who is in need of an instant mood boost, flowers may be the perfect gift.

  1. Donate in his or her honor

Nonprofit organizations thrive with the gifts of their loyal supporters. Funds are the lifeblood of any nonprofit as it helps them spread their message and make a difference in their communities. When celebrating Sweetest Day, consider donating to your recipient’s favorite organization in their name. When you make an honorarium/memorial donation to Lions Pride, we’ll gladly mail an acknowledgment card to your loved one or their family to let them know about the lasting legacy that you are creating for future generations at the Wisconsin Lions Camp and in other WLF projects.

Sweetest Day may have originated with candy and sweets in mind, but we believe that the message has evolved as a day to do small things for others with great love. How do you plan to celebrate the occasion?

Happy Sweetest Day fromLions Pride!

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Traditional Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

10 Thursday May 2018

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“All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my mother.” -Abraham LincolnFun

She wiped your tears when you were sad, provided the bandage when you scraped your knee and cared for you when you came home sick. Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 13, but you how exactly do you say “thank you” to the person who brought you into this world and gave you the gift of life?

Rather than giving her the predictable presents that all moms have come to know and expect like flowers, cards and chocolate, we have a couple of out-of-the-box gift ideas that don’t require ribbons and bows. This Mother’s Day, consider giving her:

  • Time to relax: We all have responsibilities that we don’t necessarily enjoy completing, but doesn’t it seem like many of these duties often fall on mom’s plate? Whether your mother has plans to empty out the basement, mow the grass or give the house a thorough spring cleaning, help lighten her load by offering your hand.
  • A day filled with her favorite activities: If you were to ask anyone about their most prized possession, time would likely be the most frequent answer. There’s no denying that life can get busy. When was the last time, you spent quality time with your mom? Spend Sunday with the activity of her choice. She might enjoy going to church, tending the garden or simply spending the afternoon catching. If you both happen to already have plans for this Sunday, a raincheck is always an option!
  • The gift that keeps on giving: If mom has a special cause that she carries about, give a donation in her honor. Nonprofit organizations thrive on funding. If your mother is a Lions Pride support, consider giving an honorarium donation to help us continue to preserve, provide and protect the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects. Learn more about memorial/honorarium donations.

This Sunday, show your gratitude for your mom with a present she won’t soon forget. Remember, the best gifts in life don’t always come in beautifully wrapped boxes; the best presents come from the heart.

Happy Mother’s Day from Lions Pride!

Annual Nonprofit Audits

01 Thursday Mar 2018

Posted by in Lions Camp, Special Events

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We are officially 48 days away from Tax Day. If you haven’t done so already, you have Nonprofit Auditlikely gathered all of your W-2s, 1099-MISCs and other taxes documents, and have made plans to meet with your accountant or sit down and file your 2017 taxes. Everyone seems to have Uncle Sam and their finances on their mind. Lions Pride is no exception – but we’re not filing taxes; instead, we’re completing our annual audit.

For some reason, the word ‘audit’ has an amazing way of sparking apprehension or fear in people. While an audit may seem like a punishment for individuals, they are actually a standard procedure for nonprofit organizations. An audit simply refers to an independent review of an organization’s financial books.

An independent audit is an examination of the financial records, accounts, business transactions, accounting practices, and internal controls of a charitable nonprofit by an independent auditor. “Independent” refers to the fact that the auditor/CPA is not an employee of the organization but rather is retained through a contract for services. For the last five years, we have contracted with Schenk SC to conduct our audit.

For the next two days, the auditors will examine our bank reconciliations, selected restricted donations and grant letters. They will also review physical assets, journals, ledgers and board minutes. After the review, the auditors will then issue a formal opinion about the accuracy of all financial reports, and provide recommendations to continue improving our financial management.

Here at Lions Pride, we know that an annual audit is an essential part of a check-and-balance system to guarantee all finances are in order and allows the LPEF Board of Directors to be confident LPEF staff is following proper accounting practices. The audit also demonstrates our commitment to financial transparency, which donors have come to expect from our organization.

Trust is one of the most critical components of a nonprofit-donor relationship. The annual audit is just one more way Lions Pride works to build that trust by ensuring all donations are properly managed and secured so we can continue to preserve, protect and provide for Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF projects. We thank you for your continued support.

Sweetest Day – Then and Now

19 Thursday Oct 2017

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Do you ever feel like some holidays were created merely to benefit the greeting card Sweetest Day Chocolateindustry? Yes, we’re talking to you, Valentine’s Day, Boss’s Day and Grandparents Day. Well, we’re here to tell you that the next holiday – Sweetest Day on Saturday, October 21, 2017 – may fall into the same category, but it truly has a delightful message.

The holiday began back in early 20th Century as Candy Day. According to Hallmark, legends say the day was established by Herbert Birch Kingston, a candy store employee who wanted to spread happiness to people who were feeling forgotten. He recruited a team, went out and began distributing candy to orphans, shut-ins and others to show them that some cared.

As time went on, celebrities started joining in on the act, and the holiday broadened to include loved ones, coworkers and friends. Today, observance of Sweetest Day is still the most popular in the Midwest due to its origination.

How should you observe the upcoming holiday? Well, you could surprise your sweetheart with a box of their favorite candy, but there other “healthier” ways to celebrate:

  1. Write a heartfelt letter (or email)

In the last decade or so, it seems that we have lost the art of letter writing. Show someone you care by crafting a heartfelt letter. Of course, you could always send an email if you’re looking for a quicker way to display your affection; but we can guarantee that a handwritten letter is bound to put a smile on your recipient’s face.

  1. Send flowers

Did you know that aside from being pretty, fresh cut flowers and plants have numerous health benefits? Flowers have the ability to give someone an instant mood boost and aid in both memory and concentration. If your loved one has been feeling stressed at work, you can provide them support with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

  1. Donate in their honor

As you likely already know, nonprofit organizations thrive with the support of their loyal donors. After all, funds are the lifeblood of any nonprofit as it helps them spread their message and make a difference in their communities. When celebrating Sweetest Day, consider donating to your recipient’s favorite organization in their name. When you make a honorarium/memorial donation to Lions Pride, we’re happy to mail an acknowledgement card to your loved one or their family. Together, you and your sweetheart can create a legacy that will last for future generations at the Wisconsin Lions Camp and in other WLF projects.

While the holiday may have begun with candy and sweets in mind, it has truly become a day to do small things with great love. Remember, it’s the thought that counts! How do you plan to celebrate?

Happy Sweetest Day from Lions Pride!

3 Ways to Express Your Gratitude This Mother’s Day

11 Thursday May 2017

Posted by in Holidays, Lions Camp, Special Events, Uncategorized

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We hope that we’re not the first ones to Happy Mothers Daytell you that Mother’s Day is only 48 hours away. While this may seem to be another obvious greeting card holiday, don’t fall for the deception! Mother’s Day is a holiday that honors motherhood and takes many forms all over the globe. In America form of Mother’s Day was created in 1908 by Anna Jarvis, and became an official US holiday in 1914. (She later tried to denounce the commercialization of the holiday and spent much of her lifetime trying to remove the holiday from the calendar, but that’s a story for another day!)

There’s no question in our minds that parenthood, and motherhood, in particular, is one of the most challenging jobs that comes with its own share of sacrifices. Mother’s Day is a wonderful holiday that gives us all an opportunity to show the moms in our lives how much they mean to us.

Often, this gratitude comes in the form of gifts, but gifts don’t necessarily need to include the typical card and flowers. This Mother’s Day, think about giving a more creative present to the moms in your life with a few ideas:

  • Giving your time: Rather than giving a physical present, say, “I love you” with the gift of your time. In this day and age, it’s easy for time to get away with us. Spend Sunday doing the activity of her choice like going to church, seeing a movie or just spending the afternoon catching up. We are confident that mothers will agree that there’s nothing better than spending precious time together.
  • Taking on her usual duties: In life, we all have responsibilities that we don’t much care for. Whether it’s scrubbing toilets, washing dishes or eliminating loads of laundry, take one or all of those duties to give her a chance to put her feet up and relax. After all, how often does that actually happen at home?
  • Giving a gift that keeps on giving: It’s very likely that Mom has a special cause that she cares about. Help that organization carry on in their mission by giving a gift in her honor. If your mom is a Lions Pride supporter, consider giving an honorarium donation to help us continue preserving, providing and protecting for the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects. Click her for a memorial/honorarium form.

Remember that the best gifts in life don’t always come packed with ribbons and bows. This Mother’s Day, say “thank you” to the most important moms in your life with a present that she won’t soon forget. How do you plan to express your gratitude?

From all of us at Lions Pride, Happy Mother’s Day!

Share Your Love of Pride This Valentine’s Day

09 Thursday Feb 2017

Posted by in Holidays, Lions Camp, Special Events

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The most romantic day of the yearlions-pride-valentines-day is right around the corner. If you are young (yes, at heart counts) and in love, you have probably already started planning ways to spoil your sweetie on Valentine’s Day, but have you thought about how you can share the love of your favorite non-profit?

If you’re a proud Lions Pride supporter, we have a few simple ideas for you:

“Like” and share on Facebook

Non-profit organizations have recently found that Facebook is an exceptional way to share their message. You can help Lions Pride spread the word by “liking” the Facebook page and sharing it with your friends. Simply update your status with a couple of reasons why you love support LPEF.

lions-pride-love

Volunteer

One of the greatest gifts you can give to Pride is the gift of time. Our annual shoot is the largest fundraiser of the year, which requires a lot of preparation. Volunteers help make the event a success. The 10th Annual Lions Pride Shoot will take place on Saturday, June 10. If you would like to get involved before the event, please contact us today. We could always use a helping hand.

Make a donation

Of course, one of the clearest ways to share your love is to make a special donation in the name of a friend or loved one. With your support, we can help educate others on the Lions Pride mission of becoming “today’s help, tomorrow’s hope.” Remember that even small donations make a big difference.

 

We are always looking for excuses to show appreciation for our supporters, and we think Valentine’s Day presents the perfect opportunity. Thanks to you, we have the chance to provide, preserve and protect the Lions Camp and other WLF statewide projects. We would not get nearly as far without your help.

From all of us at Lions Pride, we cannot thank you enough for your continued support. We truly are wild about you!

 

How to Say “Thank You” This Memorial Day

26 Thursday May 2016

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Never Forgotten Flight CWA

Photo Credit to Stevens Point Journal

We don’t have to tell you that this Monday is Memorial Day. We’ve all been counting the days to a three-day weekend, probably since we flipped the calendar month. Your Memorial Day will likely include a day filled with barbecues, family and fun. We’re also excited for the holiday, but is it just us, or does the reason behind Memorial Day seem to get overshadowed with furniture sales, outdoor activities and other thoughts of summer?

Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, was created as a day to remember the men and women who died serving the United States of America. While there are no possible ways to repay them for their sacrifice, there are ways to say “thank you” to all past and current veterans. We’ve compiled a few ways to get started:

  1. Write a Thank You Letter

    Express your gratitude to the current veterans in your life, or one you’ve never met with a handwritten note. A Million Thanks is an organization that makes it easy to send a letter.

    “Feeling gratitude, but not expressing it is like a wrapping a present, but not giving it.” –William Arthur Ward

  2. Nominate a Veteran to Participate in an Honor Flight

    Honor Flight is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing veterans with honor and closure. They transport our heroes to Washington D.C. to visit memorials in their honor. There are currently 130 Honor Flight Hubs in 44 states. On May 16, 98 Korea and Vietnam War veterans boarded the Never Forgotten Honor Flight at Central Wisconsin Airport in Central Wisconsin (shown above).

  3. Visit a Veteran’s Cemetery

    One of the more traditional ways to celebrate Memorial Day is to plan a trip to visit a veteran’s cemetery to reflect. At present, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs maintains 134 national cemeteries in 40 states, and 33 soldier’s lots and memorial sites. In Wisconsin, there are three cemeteries and five soldier’s lots.

  4. Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance

    In December 2000, the “National Moment of Remembrance” was passed asking all Americans to “voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of Remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps’” at 3 pm local time.

These are only four of many possible ways to celebrate Veterans this holiday. How do you plan to say “thank you”?

Happy Memorial Day from Lions Pride!

Last Minute Tax Time Tips

14 Thursday Apr 2016

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Tax TimeThe countdown is on! We are only 96 hours away from the 2016 Personal Tax Deadline. Procrastinators can rejoice because the usual April 15th deadline has been pushed to Monday, April 18. You may be wondering why this year is different than past years, and the reason is due to a holiday usually only observed in Washington DC. Emancipation Day is a legal holiday that is celebrated on April 16, but since that falls on Saturday this year, the holiday will be observed on April 15.

Have you already taken care of your taxes? If so, good for you; if not, you are definitely not alone. Surprisingly, nearly 20% of all Americans wait until April to file their taxes. In fact, according to the IRS, the week of April 15 is typically the busiest week for tax filings.

If you still need to file, don’t stress, these tax tips can help make your job a little easier:

  • Avoid waiting any longer. E-file your return at irs.gov to submit your taxes for free.
  • If you cannot file online and plan on mailing your documents, be sure to pay special attention to collection pick-up times to ensure that it will be postmarked by April 18. It’s also a good idea to double-check that you have the right amount of postage.
  • If you don’t think you can complete your filings by the deadline, you have the opportunity to file for an automatic extension; however, be sure you understand these seven points before filing Form 4868.

Although many Americans file their taxes last minute year after year with no issues, there is no denying that that procrastination can cause unnecessary stress and increase the possibility of errors. Rather than waiting for next April, consider becoming more proactive to make the filing process easier on yourself next year.

  • Take your accountant out to lunch – If you aren’t in tune with all of the tax deductions and rules, you will likely have questions. With the 2015 Tax Season wrapping up, your accountant will have more time available to work with you. Now is the perfect time to find answers to your questions.
  • Create a charitable giving calendar – It’s easy to forget about charitable donations, especially when you’re in a time crunch. Rather than attending every fundraising event, create a plan that shows where you want to keep your contributions to go. You’ll also know exactly how much you are contributing and keep your giving in check.Did you know that Lions Pride offers an option for you to automate your contributions? Learn more about automated giving.
  • Review your withholdings – Now’s a great time to review the withholding amounts on your paychecks. For instance, if you overpaid this year, there’s no reason why you can’t adjust the values now and see a little more money every other week.

Read through more preparation tips for next year’s taxes.

Remember, the early bird catches the worm. Plan ahead now to save yourself time and frustration later on. Happy Tax Time from Lions Pride!

Disclaimer: The staff at Lions Pride are not tax experts. The tips listed above are merely from various sources from around the web. For any tax questions that you may have, please consult with your CPA or tax preparer.