Much has been written about the fact that giving to charity benefits the giver as much or more than it benefits those to whom you give. The much-loved silver screen icon Kirk Douglas once said, "I've learned that you can't know how to live until you know how to give." He was referring to his philanthropic efforts-not the giving of love he shares with friends and family.

A philanthropist is defined as "a person inclined to increase the well-being of mankind, as by charitable aid or donations." Just by visiting this website you've expressed an interest in contributing to the betterment of mankind. That makes you a philanthropist. And for that, we applaud you.

Giving to charity helps make our communities better places to live by helping to provide goods and services to people who might not otherwise have access to them. When we raise the standard of living for the least able among us, we raise our own standard of living in turn.

What motivates you more: Having stuff or feeling good? If you chose the latter, you're not alone. Many have found, over centuries of recorded history, that their ultimate satisfaction came from helping those in need. And our government honors your giving spirit as well with reduced tax liability resulting from your giving to bona fide charities such as this one.

Just as the economy has affected us all, perhaps nowhere has the financial pain been felt more than in the world of charities-and this is happening at a time when more and more people are turning to charities for help. There's never been a better time to step up to the plate and make a difference in our world than now.

People who give to others give healthier, happier lives to themselves. Many believe that what we give to the world is returned to us threefold, sevenfold, or even tenfold! Their experiences bear out their beliefs. The only way you'll find out is to start, and mydonationrewards.com is a great place to start.