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The Secret to Raising a Billion Dollars

So what is the secret to raising a billion dollars for people and organizationsin need around the world? A great question for so many people that are raising funds every day to give back to the world. What if you had a secret recipe that would change the world, raising billions of dollars along the way? It’s been done and they all started with the same ingredient.

Bill Gates has done it.
Bill Clinton has done it.
Bono has done it.
The United Way has done it.
The Salvation Army has done it.

The secret is simple – it all starts with $1.00 and the inspiration to change the world.

I recently met Mike Zserdin founder and writer of the Generosity Manifesto and the Change Crew via Twitter. At 365give we like to share stories of people that are doing their part to create change in the world. Mike has a goal to raise a few billion dollars. Mike started his giving journey by writing the Generosity Manifesto to encourage and inspire people to give more in their lives.

“I have started by working with friends to give away a few billion dollars. I think money helps advance world change. My hope is that the manifesto empowers and encourages people to believe that (most of us) have a little extra to give and those little, extra gifts make a difference. I grew up. I hit my 40s and realized my life is half over. I watched a close friend die and others grow old. Each of them encouraged me to live for something bigger than myself.  I then came across a TED Theme, What The World Needs Now and read Seth Godin’s compilation of essays, What Matters Now. And, and then saw a headline by Chris Brogan, We Could Do So Much More…I began asking myself these very questions. I realized I couldn’t do everything but, I knew I could do a little more. As a result, my family and I started giving a little more. We realized that we have enough to give a little more. Since then, we’ve begun feeding kids in Africa for $50 a year, then traveling there to see first hand what’s wrong and right in that part of the world. In one word, the catalyst was Perspective. When we see what a little gift does and began to realize how much we have it made it easy to give a little more.”

Mike is not making it complicated or an impossible dream – he is asking friends and family to be more generous in their lives. He is encouraging people to give what they can but give a little more. Mike is taking one step at a time starting with his Generosity Manifesto to help people realize the positive effects of giving. It’s a free online book that will take just a few minutes of your time to read. It will inspire you to give more and feel happier in your life. 365give shares a similar philosophy that is featured in the book. I call it the ripple effect and Mike calls it the Boomerang Effect.

The Boomerang Effect–You Get What You Give: An excerpt from the Generosity Manifesto

There is truth in the seemingly absurd notion that we can pay it forward.

Jeff Goins observes, “The paradox of life is the more money you give, the more you get.” His article “ What You Get From Giving: The Paradox of Generosity” is a must read. Jeff claims that giving is good for you and me. He’s right.

Like Jeff, some of you have experienced the boomerang effect of generosity—the more good you throw out, the more comes back. Even science supports the boomerang effect. Generous people are happier, skinnier, and more productive. Jeff says, “There are legitimate health, business, and psychological one is this: it gives meaning to life.”

As it turns out, practicing generosity is a key to getting all we really want. Things such as genuine smiles, greater peace, community, lower blood pressure, a sense of accomplishment, and even the opportunity to change the world.

Giving also kicks depression in the teeth.

You get what you give. Give to change another’s story and you will be transformed.

Many of us are looking for that magic recipe to raise money for the charities we love and stand behind. Maybe this is the key – imagine a billion dollars and start raising it $1.00 at a time. Find your inspiration to change the world. Leave a comment and share your story with 365give – just maybe it will inspire one other person to give more today.

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)