P.A.I.D. (Poverty Alleviation and Identification Day) is a simple two step commitment to ending poverty one day at a time.

For many, the problems of poverty seem so overwhelming that we believe our own personal contributions can do little to help. The truth is, however, world-wide poverty can be drastically reduced and even eliminated within the next 10 years, and your financial gifts make a significant difference in accomplishing this goal! Americans alone could cut poverty in half by 2015 by giving just .07 cents per day.

The United Nations Development Program estimates that the basic health and nutrition needs of the world's poorest people could be met for an additional $13 billion a year! To put this number into perspective, Americans spend around $33 billion each year on diet and weight loss products and $34 billion on on their pets.

You can make a significant difference in alleviating poverty in the world by making the following two P.A.I.D. commitments:

Commitment 1: Live one day on $1.00.

Living on less than $1.00 per day is a reality for 1.2 billion people in the world that currently live below the international poverty line. Committing to live on $1.00 for one day will help you to identify with the difficulties of living in extreme poverty.

Obviously the experience is still not nearly as difficult as it is for those who live day after day on less than $1.00. We still have our homes, cars, etc. and the realization that tomorrow we get to open our stocked pantries and eat full meals again. But, that's the point. Not only do we become more grateful for how we've been blessed, but we also become more compassionate for those living in poverty. It reminds us not to take for granted the easy access we have to grocery stores and restaurants.

How many days per year should you make the P.A.I.D. commitment? That's up to you. The overwhelming majority of people will commit to living on $1.00 per day, one day per month. However, even making the P.A.I.D. commitments for one day a year will make a difference.

Commitment 2: Give a financial gift on your P.A.I.D. day to a charity committed to ending poverty in the world.

Poverty is a problem that needs your financial help! Sometimes people assume that poverty is a resource issue - that is that there is just not enough food to provide for all the people in the world. The truth is that there is plenty of food in the world to feed the entire population. The problem is not a resource issue, but a distribution issue. The wealthiest 5th of the world’s people consume 86 percent of all goods and services, while the poorest 5th consume 1 percent.

You're commitment to P.A.I.D. can help reverse this disturbing trend. Most who take the P.A.I.D. commitments give their income from that day, which is the equivilant of giving 3.28% of your annual income, toward ending poverty worldwide! Others will factor what they have saved through not buying meals, coffee, renting movies, etc. and give based on that amount. Whatever you give, even a small percentage of your income can make a huge difference when you consider that in many places in the world less than $40 per month can provide the basic nutritional, medical, health-care, and housing needs for an entire family.

When you make the P.A.I.D. commitment, you don't have to support the charities that we recommend. However, if you do give to P.A.I.D. charities you can be certain that your gift is going to a charity committed to ending poverty in the world.

All P.A.I.D. charities meet or exceed the following criteria:

1. 85% or more of every dollar given to their charity goes directly to program services.
2. Each charity is independently audited annually to ensure financial accountability.
3. Each charity has received the highest 4-Star Charity Navigator rating indicating exceptional operating efficiencies and growth in programs and services over time.
4. Each charity has been granted tax-exempt status under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

When you give to a P.A.I.D. charity, you can be certain that your gift is making a direct and immediate difference!

For more information regarding common questions about P.A.I.D., please visit our Frequently Asked Questions Section.