BUSINESS GIFTS -7

I.Business Card Cases As Gifts

Every business man, executive woman, small business owner or entrepreneur could use and benefit from elegant business card cases. The problem is, they don't usually buy them! So if you're looking for a nice business gift, card holders make useful gifts! You can even have them monogrammed or engraved to add that personal touch. Here are some samples of business card holders that you can buy:

Personalized Deluxe Card Holder - This right here is a surprisingly affordable gift for everyone in your office. This is a gorgeous leather gift for men and ladies alike. Sleek and professional, it can also be personalized with initials or a name. Made of Top Grain Nappa Cowhide, it features an interior window-view I.D. section, an outside pocket, two interior credit card pockets, and a fully gusseted interior pocket which holds up to 50 business cards. This leather business card holder is great for traveling light!

Engraved Gunmetal Business Card Case - This is a unique gift choice for a colleague who's reached a career milestone! The perfect accent for both casual and formal wear, this sleek black-tone business card holder has contemporary beveled edges on the front. A proper card case will keep cards clean and pristine, definitely much better than allowing them to get crumpled and dingy in his wallet.

James Sleek Silver Plated Card Case - A distinctive gift for a colleague who's quickly climbing the corporate ladder, it features matte line accents that echo classic pinstripe suits. Your stylish co-worker will love carrying this, and it's an affordable, fashionable option for all the men in your office or on your sales team! It keeps up to 30 cards in perfect condition and ready for presentation.

Giovanni Collection Personalized Cigarette/Card Case - A classic men's or women's accessory with definite vintage charm, this is a fabulous business gift for clients and colleagues, smokers and non-smokers alike. For men, they will appreciate the attractive stainless steel material and the fact that it conveniently carries the contents of his pockets, safely storing up to 16 cigarettes or a combination of credit cards, cash, change, mints, and even a house or car key. For women, it can keep tiny necessities from getting lost in the bottom of a handbag.

Ladies Classy Silver Engraved Card Case - For a female colleague who has reached an important career milestone, the perfect gift is an accessory that will show off her style and her business sense with class! This classy case will gracefully accompany her on her journey to the top, both practically and fashionably equipping her for success.

Modern Leather Business Card Case - Today's executives all need a cardholder for their business cards. It's an affordable gift idea for every business executive on your gift list. This modern leather card case was made to be engraved with your gift recipient's initial. It's made of beautiful genuine leather with silvertone side detailing and magnetic snap closure that won't tarnish like silver.

II.Create a Nonprofit and Take Giving to the Next Level

When it comes to charitable giving, Americans are incredibly generous. According to the Giving USA Foundation, individuals gave almost $224 billion to charity in 2006 (the latest year for which figures are available). In a press release, an organizational spokesperson noted, "About 65 percent of households with incomes lower than $100,000 give to charity. That is higher than the percentage who vote or read a Sunday newspaper."

Nonprofits on the Rise

Charitable giving is definitely on the rise, as is the number of nonprofit organizations and foundations. There are over 1 million nonprofit charities and foundations in the U.S., not including the half million other types of nonprofits. Due in large part to the Internet, there's little doubt that this number will continue to rise. Because the Web has a broad reach and allows potential donors to find organizations that meet their social giving goals, e-giving is at an all-time high. In addition, e-philanthropy enables donors to see the potential for launching their own nonprofit organizations and work toward funding the causes they believe in.

Gaining Momentum

This democratization of social giving and philanthropic movements was given a huge boost by Oprah Winfrey's series, "The Big Give." The premise of the show was that the contestants were faced with a weekly challenge in which they had to either "give big or go home." Sometimes they were given seed money, sometimes they were provided with wads of cash to give away, and sometimes they started with nothing. Early in the series, it became obvious that it is possible to leverage a small amount of seed money in order to secure much larger donations and make an enormous difference.

The Next Level

Oprah's show inspired thousands of people from around the country to launch their own "Big Give" challenges. Although Warren Buffet has the means to pledge tens of billions of dollars to charity, ordinary people with ordinary incomes have discovered that they, too, can make a difference. Along the way, many have decided to create a nonprofit organization to facilitate their social giving goals.

Although the idea of launching your own nonprofit organization may seem daunting, it doesn't have to be. In fact, there are online organizations comprised of seasoned professionals with years of nonprofit experience who can help you set up a nonprofit that will express your individuality and soul. Whether you want a tiny foundation that will provide Christmas presents to the needy once a year, or a large, national nonprofit, these organizations can help.

When you rely on experienced professionals, it can take as little as a week to set up a nonprofit. They can help you establish your tax-exempt status, create a webpage for e-giving, market your events, conduct public relations and media campaigns, and even create and maintain your programs, administration, and Internet presence.

When you create a nonprofit organization, you take giving to the next level. You can leverage your resources to truly make a difference in your community, around the country, or across the globe.