The last twenty some years of my life I have been working in nonprofits and raising my family. My family’s needs and commitments became my needs and commitments. We belonged and associated with many organizations that promoted citizenship and community. The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, soccer clubs, drama clubs and musical events all consumed our life. My family volunteered with me on community events, and I can see how volunteering has impacted their lives.
There was one event my kids loved to volunteer at, and that was their grade school carnival. They volunteered all the way through high school to go back to their elementary school and watch the kids enjoy what they once enjoyed.
But the kids have grown and left home.
Now what do I do with all my free time? As I entered into the empty nest stage of my life, I searched for a new way to get involved with my community. As a yogi, I also understand the intrinsic value of connecting with others, balancing your life and rewarding yourself. This is what I wanted to share with you: donating can fulfill all of these objectives.
Why everyone should donate.
Donating to a cause you care about can benefit a charity and be deeply rewarding to you, the giver.
The thought of helping others by planning to make a donation sends a clear message about your personal priorities. Millions of people donate regularly. People who give report an improved sense of well-being, lower stress levels, better emotional health and an enhanced purpose in life. All these factors can lead to increased happiness.
Let’s take a look at why donating is so gratifying.
Helping others is incredibly empowering and fulfilling. Donating gives you the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends, have fun and build your community up. Meaningful action comes in many different forms. For example, volunteers can act as caregivers or servers at a soup kitchen, they can answer telephone hotlines or assist with a special event. The brain then registers these pleasures, proving it is better to give than receive.
Social conscience is a strong factor in donating. Having the power and ability to improve the lives of others is a privilege that comes with its own obligations. This responsibility is a way to enforce our own personal values and be true to ourselves. Think carefully about what you care about, then follow up on that. Plus, when you donate, you create an opportunity to meet new people who believe in the same causes that inspire you.
Sharing your experience of donating with family and friends shows them that they can also make a change. Nurturing the generosity within yourself is likely to inspire those closest to you to give to causes important to them. Family giving creates a bond through shared goals. I used to take my kids and volunteer at the local Habitat for Humanity houses, where we were part of the crew for several years. We learned landscaping, worked with other families and continuously drove by those houses looking at the progress, even after the families moved in. Years later this volunteer opportunity even led me to a job with Habitat for Humanity.
Giving is a form of investment—an investment in yourself and in the organization you align with. Find out what you care about and what is important to you. It’s fun to see the results of your contribution.
Businesses also benefit from charitable giving. Companies involved with community work see improved recruitment, retention and increased employee engagement.
Some people wait to give in their wills and in their estate planning. Although this is good, it you shouldn’t put off giving. I guarantee donors will be more satisfied and get more enjoyment if they give today. By donating today, you address world problems today. In addition, you reap the benefits today for yourself, your family and your business. Today is the day to think about what kind of life you want to live and the kind of world you want to live in.
The practice of volunteering has helped me find my interest and passion. Take the time to give, connect and learn. The intrinsic reward can be felt immediately. Please join in and have fun.
Namaste
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
