Philanthropy
Community service
Unpaid work done by an individual or group to benefit others
National service
A commitment to work for the government, which can be either voluntary or required.
Overhead ratio
The percentage of revenue that a nonprofit spend on philanthropic programs
Mutual aid
A form of community cooperation where people work to meet each other’s needs without hierarchy. It can be a form of political participation.
Board of trustees
A group of people who make important decisions for a nonprofit organization
Mission statement
A guide for people and organizations doing philanthropy. It is usually 1-2 sentences that describe your purpose, values, and goals.
Service learning
A learning experience that includes volunteering to address community needs
Crowdfunding
A method of fundraising that brings together many individuals who commit money to specific projects or causes
Donor
A person who donates something, especially money, to charity or a nonprofit
501(c)(3)
A specific type of nonprofit in the U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations can receive donations that are tax-deductible and cannot participate in politics.
Form 990
A tax form that provides information about a nonprofit’s finances, leadership, and programs.
Nonprofit
A type of organization that helps people or causes without trying to make money for themselves.
Participatory grantmaking
A way of making philanthropic decisions that includes people from the community who will be affected.
Philanthropy
Actions that promote the well-being of others, often through monetary donations
Voluntourism
Short-term programs where people pay to travel and volunteer in another country.