Genealogists for Families on Giving Tuesday

Genealogists for Families on Giving Tuesday
is my choice today (and other days).

Did you hit the mall on Black Friday? Shop locally on Small Business Saturday? Surf the Web for deals on Cyber Monday? If, as I am, you’re feeling the need to think of others, Genealogists for Families on Giving Tuesday is my choice for giving back.

Genealogists for Families is a Kiva team of genealogists worldwide (and our spouses, relatives, and friends) who have found a simple way to make a big difference.

Our goal is to enable people without access to traditional banks (including many women) to expand their businesses, support and educate their children, save for the future, and raise themselves out of poverty.

Giving Tuesday was born four years ago to encourage people to open their wallets for a good cause. Last year, Giving Tuesday pulled in $US 46 million in charitable donations – a 63 percent increase from 2013.

My friend and fellow genealogist Judy Webster of Queensland (how I long to meet her someday) first introduced me to Genealogists for Families. She maintains several well-regarded genealogy research blogs that are well worth your time. And she also manages Genealogists for Families. Genealogists for Families on Giving Tuesday and throughout the year works through Kiva, a non-profit organization working with microfinance institutions primarily in developing countries.

You choose a borrower to support with a loan of $25 on the main Kiva site. Contributions by other lenders are combined until the required loan total is reached. Then, as your money is repaid, usually in monthly installments, you can withdraw it or lend it to someone else. Money that is loaned over and over again does more good than a one-time donation.

Anyone who makes a loan through Kiva can be a member of this team. Invite your family and friends to join even if they are not involved in genealogy. For more information about Genealogists for Families, visit the FAQs page here.

It’s a truism that people donate funds not just because the cause is worthy, but also because it makes them feel good. And so it is that in increasingly dark times worldwide, I find myself at Genealogists for Families, trying to make a difference.

To help people without access to traditional banks (including many women) to expand their businesses, support and educate their children, save for the future and raise themselves out of poverty, join Genealogists for Families on Giving Tuesday. Together we are making a difference!