GrantWatch Is Practicing Random Acts of Kindness

Why are random acts of kindness so important? Do they really make a difference? According to a recent Gallup poll, 17% of adults surveyed felt lonely often on any given day. Now, that’s a small decline from recent years, for obvious reasons. However, that’s still a lot of adults out there who are suffering bouts of loneliness. It’s 44 million people, to be exact, according to the Gallup News. Figures are higher amongst younger adults and those who are lower income. To that end, the team at GrantWatch believes that during both trying and prospering times, random acts of kindness play an essential part in creating close-knit, cohesive communities. Furthermore, it’s our belief we need to effect positive change with random acts of kindness. After all, aren’t families, friends, and neighbors what make up societies?

Sharing a smile or some kind words with the people you encounter are some very simple but effective ways to show some kindness. Whether someone is feeling lonely or having a wonderful day, sharing random acts of kindness only serves to brighten their day. This, in turn, causes a chain reaction…literally! How many of you have seen that happen at a drive-through or at a toll booth when someone pays it forward? Sure, you may think “I would love to spread some kindness, but I don’t have the funds to pay someone’s way.” We’ve all felt like this from time to time. The good news is there are so many ways that we can spread loving kindness without spending money.

Random  Acts of Kindness

1. Offer to shovel snow for an older neighbor
2. Give a compliment to a colleague
3. Adopt a rescue pet (Random acts of kindness can extend to our animal friends too! There are no rules).
4. Have a cup of coffee with a neighbor
5. Send a thank you note to someone who has helped you
6. Call a friend or relative you haven’t spoken with in awhile
7. Let someone go ahead of you in line at the store
8. Offer to babysit for free for someone you know
9. Organize a pet playdate with an old friend
10.  Help someone with their yard work

Businesses and Nonprofits Can Join in Too!

1. Volunteer at a nonprofit
2. Donate money to a nonprofit
3. Donate goods to a nonprofit
4. Spread a nonprofit’s donation link on social media
5. Attend a nonprofit’s fundraising event
6. Give a testimonial about a nonprofit.
7. Write a positive online review for a business
8. Refer a friend or family member to a business
9. Share a local business promotion
10. Shop local and handcrafted items.

Random Grants for Women, Children, Seniors, and Communities

1. First, grants to organizations for programs that benefit seniors, children, and women. Past funding has been used for toy drives, equine and animal therapy, senior citizen programs, women’s shelters, and environmental trusts.
2. Next, nonprofits may apply for grants for general operating support. Eligible organizations address issues like health and human services, arts and culture, education, civic and community, and children, youth, and families.
3. Grants of up to $5,000 to individual artists, agencies, and arts organizations for programs involving older adults. Funding is intended to teach seniors new skills through a series of classes ending with a public exhibit.
4. Local and state government agencies and school districts can receive grants to enhance outdoor recreation areas in local communities. The primary purpose of funding is to create new public recreation facilities and areas.
5. To finish, grants to nonprofits who offer shelter needs, new playgrounds, school technology, food pantries, tree planting in parks, county projects to improve quality of life, special needs in nursing homes or hospitals, or ambulance and fire needs. 

To conclude, GrantWatch is proud to share this short list of random grants with our subscribers. We couldn’t very well end this article without demonstrating how effective grants can be at providing the funding needed to not only support our communities and their residents but to give them that essential boost. And one last point; these funding opportunities and more can be found with a simple keyword search on our website. So, which one of these grants that inspire kindness is your favorite?

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