How many people can you name who lived 100 years ago? Including politicians, scientists, artists, inventors, historical figures and our own ancestors, many of us struggle to name even three dozen. How many of the 314 million Americans or 7 billion planetarians will be remembered 100 years from now? Very few of us will be…
Category: General
General content on philanthropic strategy and methodology
Giving 10% of your holiday spending to charity could make a world of difference
Americans will spend an average of $750 per person on gifts for family, friends and colleagues in this upcoming holiday season, an increase of 4 percent over 2011. Predicted overall holiday spending will exceed $550 billion. Starting at Thanksgiving and continuing through December, most of us will gather to observe religious, cultural, historical and secular…
Impact Investing: putting your money where your values are
More than ever, investors are pondering, “Am I destroying with my left hand what my right hand is trying to save?” Trillions of dollars are invested by millions of Americans in stocks and mutual funds, banks, and retirement funds like IRAs and 401(k)s, seeking to generate significant financial returns. Most of these investors are philanthropic,…
What’s love got to do with effective philanthropy?
The term “philanthropy” is a combination of two ancient Greek words: “philos” meaning “love” in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing and enhancing; and “anthropos” meaning “human being” in the sense of our common humanity. A philanthropist is a person who expresses love of humanity through charitable efforts. Every year, hundreds of articles are…
Social enterprises use market forces for good
Many nonprofit organizations have made innovative social enterprises part of their daily operations to help them achieve their mission while creating sustainable sources of income to fund programs. Social enterprises don’t eliminate the need for charitable donations but, rather, supplement donations and grants by creating predictable revenue streams while serving the broader mission of the…
Women Changing the Face of Philanthropy
Women have changed the face of philanthropy. With more money and increased control and influence over how it is spent, more women than ever are making philanthropic investments to help address and solve the problems of our time. Consider these facts: Women represent 51 percent of the nation’s Ph.Ds, 67 percent of college graduates and…
Champ Bailey, Chauncey Billups, Todd Helton score big with charity work
Professional athletes are often criticized for being poor role models. Colorado has many athletes, however, who set an example of leadership with philanthropy. In order to understand why some of them dedicate their time outside the games to worthy causes, I asked three of Colorado’s best-known professional sportsmen. Denver Broncos All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey grew…
10 Steps to Becoming a More Effective Philanthropist
Many donors look at their charitable efforts and wonder: Does the nonprofit I’m supporting really have an impact? What can I do to make my philanthropy more effective? Being an effective philanthropist doesn’t depend on the amount of time or money you give but rather upon how you approach your giving. Here are 10 steps…
Corporate Philanthropy Helps Turn Companies Into Good Citizens
The business case supporting corporate philanthropy is well documented. Enhanced employee recruitment, lower turnover, higher job satisfaction, customer preference and loyalty for companies that invest in communities, and higher profits have been demonstrated by studies. Although these might be interesting and important points that enhance stakeholders’ comfort with an expanded view of corporate citizenship, for…
Kids can be philanthropists of great stature
With philanthropy as their cause, kids are not only the leaders of tomorrow; they’re demonstrating passion, insight and ability to be leaders today. Young people, viewing the world through a different lens than their parents and grandparents, are raising money, giving it away, and creating inspired outcomes. Children can become engaged in philanthropy at young…