There are so many ways you can give back, pay forward, and otherwise contribute to the overall well-being of your local and global community.
Even if you aren’t set up to be a major philanthropist and don’t have tons of time on your hands for volunteering, you can still contribute to the overall betterment of those you share the earth with.

In Pure Spirit presents some different options for helping others, depending on where you are in your life right now.
Help Others Financially
Whether giving directly to individuals or supporting charitable organizations, financial donations remain an important way to help others.
- Donate to a reputable charity (do some reading to figure out which charitable organizations have the best ratings for making the most of their funds and being the most ethical and transparent).
- Find a good sponsorship program and use it to support a child, making sure they have access to food, water, clothing, health care, and education.
- Contribute financial support to a local group or nonprofit that provides services to the less advantaged in your community. Better yet, you can set up your own nonprofit to a cause that’s near and dear to your heart.
Volunteer Locally or Globally
Volunteer work can be a great way to get involved on a more personal level, connect with like-minded persons, and find out more about the needs of your community at home and around the world.
- Look for a good soup kitchen in your area where you can help out by sourcing, cooking, or serving meals, or by helping with cleaning or administrative tasks.
- Reach out to your church to help connect you with volunteer opportunities both in your community and church.
- You can also get involved with educational or cultural trusts, to help keep arts and literacy available and affordable for all.
Help People on an Individual Level
Often you can make a difference by going out of your way to help people you know of who are in need or in a rough spot.
- Keep an eye out for GoFundMe or JustGiving campaigns and other fundraisers to support individuals and families needing financial help to get them through difficulties, such as illness, job loss, or bereavement.
- Find out whether there are any local programs for helping veterans. Veterans may be in need of food or transportation assistance, or simply a friendly face and someone to talk to.
- Offer to help the elderly clean up their living space and declutter. These efforts may seem small, but they can reduce stress and increase mood, which are both important for older adults who may feel isolated. Your time there will also help them feel connected to others.
- If there are immigrants in your community, see if you can help them settle in, find work, and make connections. One way immigrants can earn a living is to work as translators, so find out how much translators make, and see if you can help set them up as freelancers.
Get Involved Politically
As a public official, you can put your energy into supporting, promoting, and spearheading initiatives for community betterment.
- If you’re up for it, consider a run for office – but make sure you give some serious thought to what this entails, and discuss it with family and loved ones first.
- Even if you’re not ready to run for office, find a political cause and get involved. Perhaps you’re interested in climate change or LGBTQ rights. Find organizations in your area pushing for national change in your passion areas and volunteer.
Whether it’s helping one person or a whole community, it’s always worth your while to plug in and make a difference. And hopefully, you will inspire others to contribute their gifts and talents to help people around you.
In Pure Spirit
Are you looking for interesting reading that will inspire you to believe and think differently? Then check out In Pure Spirit. We offer a variety of readings to inspire your curiosity.
About the Author
Betty Vaughan understands that achieving work-life balance has never been harder. She has experienced first-hand how remote work blurs the line separating one’s work from the rest of their life. That’s why she created Nine To Thrive. Through the site, she hopes to help anyone struggling with a work-life imbalance find and sustain that needed balance so that they can live a life where they can fully thrive.
Photo Credit: Anna Shvets via Pexels