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…
Category: General
General content on philanthropic strategy and methodology
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…
Market-based Solutions Flex Business Muscle
Historically, businesses have donated billions of dollars to nonprofits to help address social problems by approaching the social contract of “giving back” to society in two primary ways. First, with traditional corporate philanthropy, businesses have benefited customers, employees and communities by making donations to, and volunteering for, worthy causes. Second, “corporate social responsibility” emerged to…
How to be a Strategic Philanthropist
This is the season when many people make charitable donations. This generosity is acutely needed and greatly appreciated. Next year, however, consider approaching your charitable giving as a strategic philanthropist, rather than as a donor. The difference between a donor and a philanthropist does not depend on how much time or money one gives to…
Overcoming our “bystander” moments by giving this holiday season
I was 21 years old, traveling alone in southern Turkey, when I came upon a mob of people in the town square of a small fishing village. In the middle of the crowd was a mentally disabled young man who was being taunted by the mob. They pushed, shoved and teased him. Someone ran up…
Estate planning for charity can shape legacy
Philanthropy during your lifetime is the best and most effective way to share not only your money but also your values with others. Creating or revising an estate plan is the last chance you have to pass on more than money to your heirs, shape your legacy and help create a better world after you’re…
Ancient Ladder of Giving Can Guide Modern Philanthropy
More than 800 years ago, Moses Maimonides, known by many as Rambam, a rabbi, physician and philosopher, described eight rungs on the ladder of charitable giving. Remarkably, his approach is still pertinent to contemporary thinking about philanthropy. The first rung, at the bottom of the ladder, is reserved for donors who donate grudgingly — giving…
How to Profit From Doing Good
Businesses remain under pressure from employees, shareholders and customers to demonstrate corporate social responsibility and accountability to the communities in which they operate. Traditionally, business enterprises have had several options from which to choose to organize their corporate structure under state law. The purpose of each corporate form is to maximize profits for shareholders. Now,…