In a recent survey, 97.8% of Wealthy Retirement readers indicated that they engage in charitable giving.

These readers should feel proud of their efforts. While 77% of American adults believe that everyone can make a difference through charitable giving, only 30% step up and give.

For this reason, while the country grows wealthier, charitable giving has grown only one-third as fast.

Luckily, there are more ways to give now than ever before – and to give of our talents as well as from our wallets.

In our survey, the majority of respondents (92.9% and 79%, respectively) indicated that their giving includes direct financial or physical donations.

(Physical donations might include food, clothing and furniture. They can also include donations of blood or bone marrow to organizations like the American Red Cross and Gift of Life Marrow Registry.)

These are some of the most traditional ways to support causes that you care about. However, there are many other options.

Investors can set up recurring contributions to a charitable trust or even donate stock, real estate or other assets to organizations that they care about.

This has become even easier with the advent of crowdfunding.

Additionally, many of our readers already support others with in-person cash donations and volunteering.

Volunteering in retirement doesn’t only provide support for causes that you’re passionate about. It can also have health benefits, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.

After only one year of regular service, senior volunteers report decreased feelings of depression and anxiety, as well as enriched social connections and greater satisfaction with life.

In addition, educational and environmental volunteering provide the health benefits associated with regular gentle exercise.

And the variety of causes we can support today is just as diverse as the variety of ways we can give.

When asked to rank their top three causes, our readers ran the gamut.

We discovered that many of our readers were passionate about relieving homelessness, poverty, and hunger, promoting religious causes, and supporting veterans and public servants.

Given Marc’s work in the biotech sector, we were also not surprised to discover that we have a readership passionate about helping patients with advanced medical needs and bringing healthcare to disadvantaged communities.

For this reason, we are excited to share the story of an incredible organization that is bringing critically needed healthcare services to an underserved region of southwestern Nicaragua.

This organization is close to our hearts here at The Oxford Club.

Its dedication to relieving the medical, infrastructural and educational hardships that many Nicaraguans face inspires us daily.

We hope its message will resonate with you as well this giving season.

Click here to learn more about The Roberto Clemente Health Clinic.

Please consider making a donation to support the cause. All donations made before January 1, 2020, will be fully matched by The Oxford Club.

There are more than 1.5 million charitable organizations in the United States alone, and many don’t receive the awareness and support that they need and deserve.

Join us in keeping this special organization – and the thousands of others that share its mission of service – in our thoughts this giving season.

Good investing,

–Mable Buchanan

Strange change at your bank [sponsor]
At least 41 major US banks have just made a drastic change to the way money in America works. It could have some major implications for you, your money and your retirement. But it's crucial you understand what's happening, before these changes get applied to your bank account. Here's everything you need to know.

Source: Wealthy Retirement