Charities Review Council - Smart Giver Profile: David Eide

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Smart Giver Profile: David Eide
Why do you give?

I give simply because I am able to give. I think that it’s incredibly important to do things that you hope will make a difference for someone in some way.

Why do you think giving is important?

I feel strongly that we are called to service, regardless of what we do or where we are. As part of that commitment to service, we should share our blessings in life by giving to others who are less fortunate or to causes that are worthy of our attention.

What do you look for in an organization that you’d like to support?

I look for organizations that have a defined purpose and that are striving to meet a defined need that may not be met elsewhere. I look for organizations that help others and that make our collective environment a better place to live and grow in. Personally, I am interested in organizations that work with children, specifically programs that provide underprivileged children the means to attend summer camps. This allows children to get out of their normal environments and spend time in nature.

What about your experience working with charitable organizations?

My experiences with charitable organizations have been extremely positive. The people involved are passionate about making a difference and helping others. They are the unsung heroes. They do wonderful work day in and day out. The easiest thing is to give money. The hardest thing is dedicating your life to helping others to find meaning or easing their burdens.

I also have worked to institute a culture of giving at my company. In the past five years, the company has begun donating a percentage of profits to charitable giving. We have instituted an annual paid volunteer day for employees. There are entire departments where 100% of employees take advantage of that day. It is a spontaneous process where individuals come up with ideas for charitable giving and the company strives to provide matching programs for employees. The company has supported a variety of causes, including food shelves, Habitat for Humanity, Art Council for Kids, and the Literacy Council. We all can and should make a difference where we work.

What advice would you give to other potential donors?

Know the charity you are giving to. Know how they use the money, what their mission is and what they hope to accomplish. Find out if they are being effective in that mission. Be aware of who you are giving to and if that contribution is used for the purpose you expect.

What has been your best giving experience?

My best giving experience was working with an organization to place computers with public school students who wouldn’t have any way of using those types of technology. With that project, I was able to see how that made a difference in their school experience. It was so gratifying to help empower these students and bring them into the mainstream.

Has the Council been useful for you?

In both my personal giving, and with my company, we check to see if the Council has reviewed the organization. We contact non-reviewed charities and suggest that they go through the process. We tell them that we believe that it is an important self-check method.

What can donors do to strengthen nonprofits?

Donors play a key role in determining whether nonprofits are run efficiently. If you are not efficient in business, you will not succeed. Similarly, charities must be efficient so that contributions can go to the cause they are championing. Donors must insist that charities are run well and they can use the Council as a check. Donors have the biggest say because if they insist on high standards for a charity, that charity will have to comply. Donors should be questioning, following up on reports, and looking at statistics to know the money is being used for a positive outcome.