A Nation of Givers

Members Project® from American Express, in partnership with TakePart provides an outlet for the growing volunteering trend in the U.S.

New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the number of people in the United States who make volunteering a part of their lives is growing. Last year, the number of employed people who also volunteer rose to 30 percent. That’s great news! It means millions of people are making time to give back to the world.

Find charities that you care about with Members Project from American Express and TakePart. Members Project can help everyone locate charities that are of interest—there are hundreds of thousands of opportunities to search. No matter how much—or how little—time you have to give, everyone can find a cause that fits with their hearts and their schedules. The goal of Members Project is to provide people with the tools, information and inspiration to find causes and organizations they care about and give back on their own terms.

Vote to show your support! Once a week through Members Project, you can cast a vote for the charities that appeal to you. There are up to 50 charities in the areas of Arts & Culture, Community Development, Education, Environment & Wildlife and Health & Wellness listed each quarter. Every three months, the winner of each category receives $200,000 in funding from American Express. Help decide who receives the funding by coming back to vote every week—just one small mouse click can make a huge difference for these organizations and the communities they serve.

Get out in the community! One study showed that 40 percent of people who volunteer say that community involvement is the driving force in their decision to get involved. Search for charities in your area through the zip code locator and you can make an impact locally. Anyone can access the information, and if you’re a Cardmember who volunteers (or if you track your hours on your TakePart profile and then apply for an eligible American Express® Card at a later date), you can get Membership Rewards® bonus points for your work.

Make a donation—it’s another great way to get involved! Research also shows that 83 percent of charitable contributions come from donations from individuals. That’s incredible! Through Members Project, you can make a one-time or recurring donation to the charities of your choice—there are over a million charities to learn about and discover. Anyone can give, and Cardmembers can donate Membership Rewards bonus points as their contributions.

Spread the word about your efforts through Members Project. Your friends and family will thank you—a recent survey shows that 93 percent of Americans believe it is important to promote volunteerism, and 42 percent of people say that personal connections inspire them to volunteer. Broadcast your involvement with Members Project through Facebook, Twitter or blogs—you can even create an online banner for your favorite cause or snag a Facebook widget and post it to your page to get your friends involved. Another option? Share your experiences the old-fashioned way: by talking about them. Every conversation helps.

Be a part of the growing number of Americans who are taking time out of their lives to vote, volunteer and donate through Members Project from American Express and TakePart. These numbers show that giving back is a way of life in this country, and together we can make a difference.