What's Modest Needs? Glad you asked!
Modest Needs is an award-winning charity that works to stop the cycle of poverty 
before it starts for low-income workers struggling to afford emergency expenses like those we've all encountered before: the unexpected auto repair, the unanticipated trip to the doctor, the unusually large winter heating bill.
By choice, the work we do at Modest Needs is funded exclusively by the generosity of private citizens - people just like you - with donations typically ranging from $5 to $100 at a time. We work this way because part of our mission is inspiring all people to discover their power to change lives - as they can, with whatever they have to share.
This year, a private foundation is matching all monthly pledges in support of Modest Needs, dollar-for-dollar, up to a preliminary maximum of $300,000 in 2007. This means that, right now, your 'small change' has even more power to make a 'world of difference' to the hard working individuals and families who need our help the most.
So, Modest Needs is partnering with Squidoo in an effort to help even more people who are facing short-term financial emergencies but have nowhere to turn for the helping hand they need to continue supporting themselves.
Because of our matching grant, any pledge that you make at Modest Needs will be doubled in size, every month, all year long.
I'd like to personally thank you for exploring our Squidoo lens and for your support of hard-working people in short-term crisis through Modest Needs.
Together, we can make sure that no hard-working person is ever forced to choose between taking a child to the doctor and putting food on the table.
Watch our Public Service Announcement
Courtesy of our friend, Emmy-Award winner Allison Janney (thanks Allison!)
curated content from YouTube
Witness the power of 'small change' for yourself!
- Read a couple of Profiles in Courageous Generosity
- Modest Needs' most popular column, "Profiles in Courageous Generosity," is an ongoing series of inspirational pieces offering an in-depth look at the personal stories of families who have requested help from Modest Needs - and the miracles people like you have made possible for these families through your support.
I think you'll especially enjoy this month's column: 'The Giving Ladder.'
Why Support Modest Needs?
It's not just about the 'helper's high . . . '
1. We pass a full 100% of our donors' contributions directly to our applicants.
Because Modest Needs' costs are paid in full by grants made for that purpose, every dollar our donors give goes directly to someone who has requested help from Modest Needs. Period.
2. We offer our donors a unique, hands-on approach to giving.
At Modest Needs, our donors help us to place their donations by reading and 'scoring' current applications for help via our website in real-time.
Each week, we allocate the gifts that Modest Needs' donors have made to to the applicants they've told us they'd most like to help.
3. We work diligently to safeguard the integrity of our donors' giving.
Before we make any application available for donor review and / or funding, we require our applicants to provide documentation sufficient to ensure that our applicants have been straightforward with us about their situations and that a one-time 'hand up' will make a long term difference in that person's life.
And, when we can step in, we do so in the safest way possible. Rather than send cash directly to our applicants, we actually pay the bill with which they've requested our help on their behalf.
4. We generate a tremendous return on our donors' investment in the lives of persons struggling to overcome the burden of a short-term financial emergency.
Modest Needs' average grant is only $380.00. But because Modest Needs' grants keep people working and out of the cycle of poverty, each grant we make returns an average of $9,000 in earned income to the individuals and families we're able to reach.
In short, our donors like that Modest Needs empowers them to change the lives of real people in need of a short-term helping hand.
We think you'll like that, too.
Want to help?
There are many ways you can support Modest Needs . . .
- Make a Donation
- Throughout 2007, all pledges of any size to Modest Needs are being matched, dollar for dollar, by a private foundation. This gives your 'small change' more power than ever to make a 'world of difference.' You can make a secure one-time donation or pledge of any size in about a minute by clicking the 'Make a Donation' link, above.
- Browse Applications for Help
- Read and evaluate real applications from hard-working, low-income people who stand to lose everything over a small financial emergency. Help us to place your donation by telling us who you think needs your help the most.
- Make a Lens to Support Modest Needs on Squidoo
- You can make a Squidoo lens to support and spread the word about Modest Needs in just a few minutes. It won't cost you a dime, and you'll be helping to raise both awareness and funds for Modest Needs. Together, we can reach more of the hard-working people who need our help the most.
Visit the Modest Needs Blog
Read all the late-breaking Modest Needs News . . .
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