Finding Meaning in Your Giving

You don’t have to look too far to find a headline reminding you that now is the time to make charitable contributions. For many reasons, including taxes, the end of the year is when we typically reach into our wallets and donate.

Last year, U.S. donors gave more than $3 billion on GivingTuesday alone, a record for the day of philanthropy that falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. With fundraising power like that, it’s no surprise that GivingTuesday is a key part of nonprofit donor drives at the end of the year.

Of course, giving is not just a one and done. GivingTuesday, which launched in 2012 as a way to encourage people to give back, has spawned a “global generosity movement” that extends well beyond a single day. 

Truly, our hearts are always open to helping—whether it’s at home, next door, or a world away.  I’ve certainly found that to be true in my work.  

Over the past few months, we’ve shared stories about the giving landscape, including how it’s changed since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. From crowdfunding campaigns to personal foundations to socially conscious nonprofits, we’ve highlighted the thoughtful and meaningful ways people are making a difference today. 

In fact, the desire to improve lives is a key reason people give. Research shows we genuinely want to play a part in making the world a better place. 

READ: When Health Care Costs Are High, Medical Angels Offer a Lifeline

For my friend Sharon Martinelli, that meant giving to a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe so a woman faced with medical bills could have some financial peace of mind.

Like Sharon, more and more people are becoming medical angels, and sites like GoFundMe, the largest platform for medical crowdfunding, are making it easier. Many donors, including Sharon, say they feel a bond with the people they are supporting.

Connections—to a person, to an organization, to a cause—play an important part in philanthropy. One of the joys of my work is helping people connect their values and beliefs with their giving.

READ: Laying the Foundation of Giving

In a story about setting up a foundation, we introduced you to a donor we called Ben. Ben’s values have always driven his giving decisions.

By establishing a private foundation, Ben was able to stay in control of his contributions, gain tax advantages, and support causes dear to him, such as education and health care.

Those two areas also figure prominently in Americans’ overall giving. Last year, individuals contributed nearly two-thirds of the $500 billion directed to charity, with education and health landing in the top five categories, according to Giving USA’s annual philanthropy report.

Yet, unfortunately, too often we feel like our donations are not producing the societal change we want and hope to see. 

READ: Democratizing Philanthropy: Enabling Everyone to Be the Change They Want to See

The nonprofit, nonpartisan group RepresentUs is working on a solution. In a guest column, Lauren Bartolozzi, the organization’s vice president of development, wrote that a dysfunctional political system contributes to the problem by incentivizing the wrong things.

But—and it’s an important but—Lauren says we can turn things around by working together for a stronger democracy. We can be the change we want to see in the world. In this season of giving and gratitude, that sounds like just the right message.

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As you review your year-end giving, are your donations where you want them to be?
Do they match your beliefs and values? To help you decide:

Spend a few minutes with our short survey and learn about next steps.

Reach out and send us your contact information to connect and get started.

Democratizing Philanthropy: Enabling Everyone to Be the Change They Want to See

A Note From Lita Reyes

One of my guiding principles is philanthropy that speaks to an individual’s values. To that end, I’d like to introduce you to RepresentUs, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to fixing what’s broken in our political system.

RepresentUs began more than a decade ago with an eye toward fighting political corruption and protecting and strengthening our democracy. Since then, the Massachusetts-based organization has won almost 200 victories in cities and states across the country.

I invited the group’s vice president of development, Lauren Bartolozzi, MPA CAP, to share her thoughts on philanthropy and the work of RepresentUs. I think you’ll find much to think about in this guest commentary.

As the group says, “We’re building the movement for an effective and healthy government, and we’re just getting started.”

We all want to change the world. Truly. When I was a kid, I told my parents I wanted to be a philanthropist. My mom shared this with me recently and said she was surprised I knew what the word meant as she didn’t consider herself one, or even close to ever becoming one. To me, that’s a clear signal that we’ve reserved the word “philanthropy” for only those with perceived wealth and have failed to include much of the current population.

• However, according to the most recent Giving USA Annual Report on Philanthropy—the gold standard for research on U.S. charitable giving—individuals contributed 64% of the nearly $500 billion directed to charity in 2022. Of that, only 5% was attributed to the mega-gifts. And, of that $500 billion, 64% was directed to charities that most of us care about deeply and see a real need for: religion, human services, education, health.

Unsurprisingly, many of us feel like we’re throwing our charitable dollars into a void and progress is slow or a nonstarter altogether. How can that be? How can nearly $500 billion in one year alone seemingly make no difference?

For me, and many others, the answer is quite simple: We have a dysfunctional political system that incentivizes the wrong things. According to a Princeton University study, it all adds up to the average American having “near-zero impact on public policy.” No wonder Americans across the political spectrum—voters and nonvoters alike—feel powerless. We desperately need to change things.

We need to change things so that the things we really care about—access to health care, a clean and safe environment, affordable education, etc.—can actually get better and we can feel good about the philanthropic investments we’re making.

That’s why I, and so many others, have decided to get to the root of the problem and focus on how our government functions and how we the people can demand a stronger democracy. RepresentUs is working to fix the system by putting country over party, building a movement that reaches beyond politics and helps reshape our culture, and winning transformative new laws in the states to build momentum for national victory.

A new board member at RepresentUs shared his “why” for joining the movement at a recent meeting. He’s experienced an incredible amount of loss in his life and in his family and showed true vulnerability in the face of this. His “why” was that in spite of that loss, and in spite of the grief, he wanted to show up and build a better future for his kids and for humanity. He is choosing to be the change he wants to see in the world, and that’s the best any of us can do. 

Members of RepresentUs are on the front lines of change, fighting corruption and working for a stronger democracy.

Photos credit: RepresentUs

That’s what it’s all about—demonstrating through real, tangible actions that our movement is not just structural reform or election work or protecting our democratic culture. The American Democracy Movement is all of those things together, and when we unite, we’re so much more powerful.

Philanthropy is often described as a “love of humanity.” At the end of the day, we all want to be the change that we want to see in the world. 

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Does your giving match your values? Let’s talk about what’s important to you and how you can make a difference.

Laying the Foundation of Giving

Philanthropy is second nature for some donors. They’ve been giving for so long it’s almost like breathing. That’s the case for a donor we’ll call Ben.

Ever since he can remember, Ben has been drawn to helping others—first as a youngster collecting donations for UNICEF at Halloween, then as an adult volunteering and donating to social causes. Ben’s lifelong practice is rooted in the Jewish traditions of tzedakah and tikkun olam, where giving isn’t just an occasional activity but a moral obligation to make the world a better and more just place. 

Today, after completing a successful career leading and managing multiple companies profitably, Ben is as dedicated as ever to fulfilling that mission. In this third stage of life, he has carved out time and made an active and structured commitment to philanthropy as a retiree. 

TIP:

Consult with your accountant when you’re thinking of giving to a charitable foundation. Converting stocks so the funds can be directed to a legal entity like a foundation might be achieved while avoiding a capital gains taxes. You could properly ensure that more of your contribution would be directed towards the foundation’s effort.

In this new role, Ben is a hands-on player in his giving plan with clear ideas about where and when to donate and how to make it all possible. After talking with his accountant, for example, the two decided that it made sense for Ben to set up a legal entity known as a foundation, funded by the transfer of an allotment of appreciated stock. 

The arrangement has several benefits: By moving a block of appreciated stock to fund the charitable foundation, Ben avoided capital gains taxes, which he would have incurred had he sold the stock instead and used the proceeds for charitable purposes. 

Since he did not pay the capital gains tax—in his case 20%—the full value of the stock was preserved and those funds are now available to be given out to society. In addition, Ben was able to take a deduction in the current year of the transaction.

The foundation has given Ben financial peace of mind and added meaning to his giving. He is in control of his contributions and stays involved with the recipient organizations, whose missions align with his desire to improve people’s lives. Ben imagines he will continue to top up the foundation’s funds with more transfers of the same stock in the coming years. 

Thanks to the foundation, Ben is deriving greater joy and satisfaction from his philanthropy. His giving is organized. He’s able to give more regularly. And his values are driving his choices.

Here’s a look at the social issues and organizations that have captured Ben’s attention: 

• Education: Ben donates money and time to mentoring and coaching small business owners. He’s using his skill set as a business leader to help entrepreneurs avoid the common mistakes of running a business, which can lead to unnecessary expenses and possibly failure.

• Health care: Ben belongs to a cardiac rehabilitation group focused on longevity. After having major heart surgery, Ben took stock of how to improve his behaviors to increase his well-being. He now wants to make sure more of us know what’s working to help people feel more energy and be healthier longer.

• Disaster relief: In the wake of the devastating fires on Maui, Ben gave to the Maui Strong Fund, which is directly helping on the island. Ben liked that 100 percent of the donations go to community needs. 

• The arts: Ben’s love of music and other disciplines has shaped his giving. He supports various nonprofit arts organizations. 

In retrospect, it’s easy for me to understand how Ben got excited about starting a foundation and learning how to make it work for his grantees. The structure offers so much potential—for Ben personally and for the recipients.

Already, Ben is exploring how he might expand education grants to include individuals who could receive scholarships. And for the arts, he is considering doing some firsthand research about museums, coordinating visits with directors to gain a better understanding of the institutions.

The world is truly Ben’s oyster. He’s anything but retired!

What about your world? Have you wondered how you could be having more fun with your giving? Let’s talk about it.

When Health Care Costs Are High, Medical Angels Offer a Lifeline

Moments. We live for them. In 2022, as we were slowly reemerging from the sadness and challenges of the coronavirus, I was fortunate to connect with family, friends, clients, and colleagues for some uplifting conversations.

Amid the uncertainty and heartbreak of the pandemic, these moments of hope sustained me as we all navigated our new norms. They also kept me thinking about how to help with the social implications of a worldwide health crisis.

During one of these talks, a colleague asked me about the giving strategy of my clients, given the pandemic and its impact on donors. My answer was straightforward: Most of my clients stayed the course with their strategic giving plans. That’s the beauty of having such plans when inevitable disruptions happen.

For clients with health care priorities, their approach was to lean more heavily to their preferred nonprofits and expand their interest to prospective organizations working on vaccines. Because they already had giving plans in place, they were able to easily adjust to match their priorities and the times. 

Interestingly, I received a text early this year from a dear friend, Sharon Martinelli. Her message was short, sweet, and to the point:

“Hi, I'd really appreciate it if you would share or donate to this GoFundMe. (She included a link.) I have been supporting their monthly deficits for PT for a while and have supported the go fund me as an effort to create a cushion for safety. Let me know what you think.” 

My husband and I didn’t think long. After reading the post, we matched Sharon’s most recent gift the next day. First, we trust her savvy triaging for legitimacy. As a retired accountant, Sharon has tremendous experience in vetting clients and poring over numbers of those with sizable net worth. Second, after reading the GoFundMe post, we learned the recipient suffered from mobility issues. Her fight was for time and expert care to be able to walk.

Health care costs can be staggering in the United States and can unravel the lives of so many. 

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19% of households couldn’t pay for timely medical care according to a 2021 Census study

Did you know, for instance, medical costs are a main factor in personal bankruptcies? A May 2023 Forbes article looked at this critical issue. The report cited a 2021 Census Bureau study that found 19% of households couldn’t pay for timely medical care. That’s almost one in five. Imagine the neighbors in your community. Could one or more be struggling, possibly quietly, with the financial burden of health care costs?

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Forbes also referenced a 2022 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In that report, the federal agency said medical debt was the leading reason debt collectors called on consumers. Statistics and reports like this reinforce why health care is such a priority for giving. 

When Sharon learned that my husband and I had decided to participate in her chosen GoFundMe, she was moved.

“I love you so much for doing that,” she wrote. “Not sure why she’s so deeply in my heart but she is. I’m grateful to you and love your support.”

Of the many gifts we could have given Sharon, this one clearly meant the most to her. There is a connection here, a very direct and personal way of giving—of helping. 

Moments. Of compassion and action.

Today, as you look at your priorities, what difference could you make by giving to an individual who has an immediate health care need?

The World Has Changed - So Has Giving

The world is clearly a different place today. To say the pandemic has changed us all is the ultimate understatement. Still, some things have remained constant–the bonds of friendship and family, the importance of community, and the critical role philanthropy plays in challenging times.

Since the early days of COVID-19, people have opened their hearts and wallets to help those in need. One study of high-net-worth investors showed that the pandemic prompted them to change their giving strategy, with many giving more. In addition, donors cited a personal interest in or connection to a charity or cause as a prime motivation for their giving.

This tracks with what I’ve seen firsthand. For many, giving has never been more important. 

In my work with clients, I hear time and again about the need for positive change. It’s not enough just to give, they tell me. The giving has to be meaningful, purposeful. I agree. And one of the best ways to do that is through a strategic charitable giving plan. It’s basically a blueprint for giving that tracks with your values and vision. 

In the study, over half of the people surveyed said they have a charitable giving strategy, with nearly all agreeing it is part of their overall wealth plan. It’s smart to do, for sure. But it’s also much more. 

I’ve found—and the survey did too—that one of the biggest reasons for charitable giving is pretty simple: People truly want to share their wealth to help others. Giving just feels good. So why miss out on that?

When I partner with clients, we spend a lot of time talking. It’s through conversation—sometimes directed, sometimes not—that we both learn what matters most. Some donors, for instance, are finding that contributing directly to causes through online platforms speaks to them in a way that traditional philanthropy doesn’t. 

Yes, the giving landscape is definitely changing. So whether you’re just starting out or already have a plan in place, it’s especially important to know and understand your options. 

Below are some questions to think about as you develop your giving plan. Take your time. There are no preferred responses. 

This questionnaire is designed to help you. How you use it is up to you. You can submit your answers now for a consultation. Or you can read through the questions and responses, decide what resonates, and jot down notes for a future conversation.

If now is the right time, just click on the circles that correspond to your responses, enter your name and email, and click on the black bar to submit. Our team will reach out to you. 

And remember, these questions are just a beginning. Let me know what else is important to you. After all, we’re starting a conversation here. I look forward to sharing more on these ideas with you in the future.

Let’s consider…

What’s your next step? Not quite ready to dive in? Some alternative suggestions as you contemplate:

From Crayola Crayons to Keeping Musicians Employed

In these difficult and uncertain times, we often seek comfort from the friends and family who mean the most to us. For me, my mother is my touchstone. I hope you’ll enjoy these memories I’m sharing—and I’d love to know who sustains you. Be well.

When I work with my clients, I am sometimes reminded of the wealth in my own family’s legacy. It informs me about my passions—and why I pursue them. Recently, I’ve been thinking about what I know about my mom. Although, sadly, she passed in 2002, the discoveries keep unfolding. It’s heartening that my passion for giving and making a difference for my clients enables me to do the same with my life.

Looking back it is easier to see that my mother was very creative. She would decorate our home and bake for the holidays with her signature flair, of course. When it came to Christmas presents from Santa for me, she had three intentions. The gifts were (1) to further my learning, something like books, flash cards, puzzles, and workbooks, (2) to encourage play with dolls, marbles, and game boards, or (3) to spur my creativity with art supplies. 

From Crayola crayons and coloring books, to watercolors and sketch pads, to her encouraging my grandfather to purchase my first Kodak Tele-Ektra camera, she knew just the right ways to spur my imagination.

Mom and me

Today, I’m able to reconnect to the bliss and delight of my creativity through problem-solving for businesses and building strategic giving plans for donors. When I realized my newfound enthusiasm for contemporary music was building as a result of a new client, I traced its roots back to the support I received from my mother for self-expression. (Fun note is that fortunately, my partner, Scott, is also enjoying the concerts. I’m lucky I don’t need to “drag” him behind me to performances.)

SFCMP YouTube channel:

"The Ice is Talking" by Vivian Fung performed by SFCMP, Haruka Fujii percussion

For these reasons, I am happy that the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players are a part of my work and play. Full disclosure is the Board hired my firm to help them enhance how they and the staff execute their strategic plan for the ensemble’s 50th anniversary this fall. When I listen to newly composed pieces and absorb the group’s beaming blend of joy and singular talent, I’m reminded of my mom’s foresight and planning.

Thanks to the seeds of creativity she planted, I am open to countless ways of expression—like hearing the Contemporary Music Players coax melodies from two blocks of ice during the U.S premiere of a new work by Bay Area resident and Canadian composer Vivian Fung, a graduate of The Juilliard School. You can share the dynamic experience here as Haruka Fujii displays her artistry in the performance.

The Contemporary Music Players have thrived in the Bay Area as a nonprofit. They got their start playing in the galleries of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It is fantastic as a visual arts lover that I can “listen to modern art,” as Eric Dudley, the group’s artistic director, is fond of saying. Who knew that was even possible?  

Lisa Oman, the executive director, likes to remind us that the group’s performances serve another important purpose:  “Our work has a direct impact on our musician’s livelihoods and helps ensure they remain employed.”

Board retreat

SFMOMA poster

“The Ice is Talking,” Haruka Fujii, percussionist playing on blocks of ice. [Photo by Stephen B. Hahn]

“How Music is Made with Myra Melford,” Eric Dudley and Pianist, Composer Myra Melford, on stage at SF Jazz Center. [Photo by Stephen B. Hahn]

As I continue to nourish my passion for creativity—whether through my own work with clients or through the artistry of groups like the Contemporary Music Players—my mother is never far away, inspiring me, guiding me, and leading me to new experiences.

Family Philanthropy: Giving by Example

How do we choose to make a difference in the world? Some of us give from our wallets. Some of us build with our hands. Some of us contribute our time and expertise. However we engage in helping others, one of the best ways to establish a legacy of family philanthropy is giving by example.

Nancy Porten grew up in a family of modest means, but that didn’t mean her family couldn’t give to others. Nancy’s mother volunteered, and she talked to Nancy about the charities that were important to her. When Nancy reached high school, she followed her mother’s example, becoming a candy striper at a local hospital. The tradition of giving continued as she grew up, married, and started a family. As Nancy's family became more affluent, she continued to give by example to instill these values in her children, and she looked for new ways to contribute in the world.

While trekking to Everest Base Camp with her husband and children in 2008, Nancy discovered a like-minded connection with her guide, Deana Zabaldo. They both felt a connection to Nepal and a desire to help the people there. Deana had served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal and then became a professional trekking guide who gave back as part of her ethical travel standards. Nancy, too, wanted to help the people in this country that had touched her and her family on their journey to the top of the world. 

Through a combination of private donations, selling ethically sourced jewelry, and volunteer work, Deana and Nancy created a diverse financial base for supporting sustainable development. Together, they founded Changing Lives Nepal (www.changinglivesnepal.org) and began to support education and poverty alleviation. Eleven years later, their projects include a home for orphaned and abandoned children, construction and repair of classrooms at rural schools, and sustainable organic farms to create a reliable source of income in rural villages.

Nancy’s efforts were as visible and influential to her daughter Bethany as her own mother’s volunteering had been years before. As a high school senior in 2013, Bethany took the initiative to create Beads for Batase, selling prayer bead bracelets from Nepal to raise money and donate computers to the village school in Batase, Nepal. Bethany participated in community events and sold her beads locally—including at a booth for a July 4th town festival. She also ran an email fundraising campaign for her family and friends while maintaining a social media campaign that featured blog posts on her progress. She successfully raised enough funds and then personally traveled to this small and remote village to help install the computers that she had pre-loaded with software and support the students and teachers. 

Bethany continues to have an awareness and dedication to giving back. She did a return trip in 2014, when she and Nancy got to see how the computers were involved in the students’ and educators’ work. It was the school’s administrators who also found value in having the computers and software to make their jobs easier. Today, Bethany is pursuing naturopathic school in the service of others’ health and disease prevention.

Three generations of philanthropy: grandmother, mother, and daughter. A legacy of giving to support others in need. Making a difference in ways that matter to them.

A Life Lesson From Mother to Son

It can be an uncomfortable conversation when a mother discusses birth control with her adolescent son. 

But Linda, whose name has been changed for this story, was a counselor for Planned Parenthood and understood that her son should know how to avoid unplanned pregnancies.

Her son, whom we’ll call Brad, appreciated Linda’s frankness, and they became a good team when he later taught an anatomy class at a Southern California university. 

Although the curriculum didn’t call for sex education, Brad would include it because he had learned from his mother how little most people discussed how to prevent unwanted births. 

Linda would provide birth control devices as teaching tools for Brad’s students, 90 percent of whom were typically women.

“Often people don’t know the difference between an IUD and a diaphragm,” Brad says.

Although Linda died many years ago, her lessons about the importance of sexual education still resonate with Brad. He donates to Planned Parenthood in her memory.

Brad and his wife believe young women in the United States need a healthcare option that works for them – especially if they are young, pregnant and not ready or financially able to raise a child.

Through Brad’s regular donations to Planned Parenthood – and the giving of others – women have an opportunity to decide their direction.

Planting the Seed of Advocacy

“Where do green beans come from?” It may sound like a simple question, but the impact of the answer could be the moment a child cultivates a lifelong passion. 

That’s what happened with Sharon Danks. Watching her mother pick vegetables in the family garden, a young Sharon asked the question and then heard an answer that set her on a green path: “You grow them,” her mother said.

Since those long ago days in the garden, Sharon has evolved into an influential advocate for creating vibrant public spaces for schoolchildren. As the executive director of Green Schoolyards America, Sharon and her organization seek to transform asphalt-covered school grounds into parklike green spaces that improve children’s well-being, learning and play while contributing to the ecological health and resilience of our cities.

California youth especially benefit from her work and thrive in well-developed playgrounds. In Oakland, Sharon co-authored the Living Schoolyard Policy for the Oakland Unified School District. The policy, which the school board adopted, outlines a vision for green schoolyards across all of Oakland’s 80-plus schools and starts the process of establishing a formal framework to implement that major change. 

The policy is unique because it combines ideas about children’s health and education with environmental resilience. It also includes a stellar lineup of collaborators with The Trust for Public Land and the Sierra Club.

Hoover Elementary in Oakland

Hoover Elementary in Oakland

Hoover Elementary in Oakland

Photo by Paige Green

Hoover Elementary in Oakland

Hoover Elementary in Oakland

Photo by Paige Green

Before, in 2006

After, in 2009

Ten years later in 2019

Rosa Parks School in Berkeley

Sharon’s passion for positive social change is shared by her brother and sister-in-law, who are Green Schoolyards America supporters. Once her brother learned how many children would benefit from green schoolyards, the couple were compelled to support the group. 

“People who visit national parks and the children who actually visit them are dwarfed in comparison to the number of kids who play in schoolyards,” he says. “We don’t think about managing the land that way. Our schoolyards are distributed lands just as much as our national parks, and we can be the same care keepers of those as much as our very backyard.”

Sharon’s brother and his wife make Green Schoolyards America – and giving – a priority. They recognized immediately the opportunity they have to be stewards of incredible lands where there can be positive health impacts on our children in our own neighborhoods, every day.

Meaningful connections like those drive the couple’s giving decisions. Before they give, the pair ask themselves these three questions:

1. To what extent does the organization care about the problem, and what is the nonprofit trying to solve?

2. Can the person leading the organization do the hard work of getting the work done to manifest the full vision?

3. Is there something about the strategy of this nonprofit that will give it a greater than normal chance to be successful and actually win at solving the problem?

Fortunately, Green Schoolyards America continues to pursue its growth emboldened by its success. Sharon is also seeking a new interdisciplinary initiative designed to align state policy and funding to change the norm for California’s 6.2 million children on 130,000 acres of school grounds. 

With Green Schoolyards America’s leadership, the future may indeed be greener. After all, wouldn’t you like to see where green beans come from?

Cover and closing photos by Paige Green

One Child’s Spirit of Giving

Many 6-year-olds would be thinking nonstop about what they could buy with the profits from their lemonade stand. 

But our youngest donor, Nanette, is not your average child. She donated the earnings from her first neighborhood lemonade stand to her local animal shelter, Marin Humane Society.

Nanette got the idea from lessons she learned from her parents. Natalie and Paul wanted to instill in Nanette the idea of giving through earned income converted into a donation. Natalie and Paul were exposed to the values of charity throughout their childhoods and in church. 

Nanette was so inspired by her act of giving that she wanted to donate on a larger scale. She and her mother approached Nanette’s Girl Scout troop with the idea of a big lemonade sale.

The group of 13 girls grossed $340 from their lemonade stand and by unanimous decision donated the money to the same animal shelter. They liked the idea of a long-term commitment and supporting the stray cats and dogs in their community. 

What got the troop really excited was how many dogs and cats they could feed with the money. A week of pet food for an animal was $35. To top that, when the girls went to visit the shelter and give their donation, they also brought leashes and more food, along with dog and cat toys.

The next community project for Nanette and her troop? Volunteering. The girls are too young to volunteer formally, so Natalie and the other moms are identifying effective and strategic options to have their daughters meaningfully engaged in giving of their time. As a result, the girls will spend time with the elderly residents in their neighborhood.

And so it goes. From one literal lemon we can see how the lessons of giving can influence one child and spread to those around her. Nanette, with help from her mother, has used her family’s values to set in motion a culture of caring in her neighborhood.

A glass of lemonade anyone?

Photos courtesy of Natalie S.

Bridging My Ties

Building relationships and making meaningful connections are two of my favorite parts of working as a philanthropic advisor. Recently, I collaborated with my colleague Andrea Huff to help her client Peter Jewett develop new contacts that could shape his vision for the future. Andrea is an executive coach who specializes in partnering with people who are making the transition from full-time work to the next stage of their lives, often a very active retirement.

She asked me to connect Peter, co-founder of Farallon Consulting, an environmental consulting and engineering firm, to my contacts in nonprofit organizations. Andrea and I share the goals of helping our clients determine what will be the most satisfying use of their resources in the next stage of life, including their purpose, building a legacy during their retirement and philanthropy. We collaborate through a process that is both holistic and realistic. 

Andrea emphasizes three facets of collaboration when working with clients: accountability, mindset shift and getting to the essence. I go into more detail on them below as well as the services she offers.

Photo courtesy of Peter Jewett

Peter, an engineering geologist, was arriving at his retirement after founding, growing and now selling Farallon, where he had worked for the past 20 years. He is also a proponent for the sustainable use of our natural resources and likes to kayak in his leisure time. Andrea and I thought my experience with environmentally focused nonprofits and foundations would be an ideal starting point to make introductions.

His vision was to have an active retirement that could match his former work life in terms of contribution and make the best use of his background. Peter wanted to explore how he could use his time and expertise to consult with a nonprofit meaningfully. The opportunity to demonstrate his experience was key for Peter to open up new relationships and perspectives about the next stage in his life.

I thought about where he would be a great fit and what organizations could benefit from his skills and started with two introductions. After Peter met with my contact at a policy foundation on natural resources, he felt government-related initiatives were of less interest. However, when I was able to identify a leading global scientist on oceans who had a focus on coral reef systems, this piqued his curiosity to meet her. 

The ocean scientist contact, who advises scientists and institutional foundations, responded positively to our introduction. She thoughtfully crafted a vision document on her goal to map all the waterways to better understand up- and downstream impacts on ocean life. She was also immediately open to connect with Peter and determine how they could collaborate.

As we are in the midst of their conversation, their specific outcomes are evolving. But it’s clear their relationship may hold promise for a mutually beneficial engagement. By collaborating, Andrea and I were able to free Peter from extensive research and provide an opportunity to fulfill his aspirations for a purposeful retirement more quickly.

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For more information on Andrea’s services, visit her website, AndreaHuff.com, and check out her recent book, Every Night’s Friday Night: Time and Freedom for the Rest of Your Life.

Here are her three facets of collaboration when working with clients:

1. Accountability -  Having a sounding board in transition enables advancement.

2. Mindset Shift - Seeing ideas in new ways supports progress to achieve specific goals.

3. Getting to the Essence - Incisive recommendations save clients from getting stuck.

Why go it alone when making big decisions about how to apply your talent and time in retirement or life transition? Join our personalized consultations and reap quicker and more productive results.

A Family’s Story of Support and Giving

When we think of generational giving, we often think of parents as the spark, the ones leading and shaping their children. But what happens when it’s the child who inspires the parent? Call it the multiplier effect. Here’s one family’s story …

For Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, philanthropy is second nature. While growing up, she saw in her father, Charles Schwab, a man who believes in and demonstrates giving. His support for the arts and commitment to children with learning disabilities run deep. But it wasn’t just her father’s altruism that caught her attention. Carrie also saw a man who believes in giving his children the freedom to discover their purpose.

It’s a lesson she carried forward with her own family, especially with her daughter, Leigh. It’s also one she wants to share with others. [See Carrie’s tips at the end of the story.]

When raising Leigh, Carrie thoughtfully provided a supportive environment. She had her own mission – helping women achieve economic parity and financial literacy – but it was there as a model, not a mandate. Like her father, Carrie knew when to step aside. She made room for Leigh to dream, even when those dreams would take her thousands of miles from home to Kenya and the Daraja Academy, a secondary school for girls.

Pictured: Carrie (right), and her daughter, Leigh (left), alongside students and volunteers from the Daraja Academy.

Throughout the journey, Leigh had the encouragement of her family. Yes, the distance was hard. Carrie and her husband were understandably concerned about Leigh being so far away. But they also knew this truth: When you find your passion, you have to follow it. And so when Leigh came home after her first trip and wanted to return, they backed the decision.

Then it happened. The moment when the child becomes the spark. For this return trip to Nairobi, what about Carrie going as well? There was only one answer. 

In Africa, Carrie discovered that she, too, genuinely was moved by Daraja. Now, she says, “I’m obsessed and promoting their work.” 

And that multiplier effect? It’s there as Carrie and Leigh enjoy sharing in their time and treasure. Africa is their experience. And it has changed them both.

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How do you think someone young in your life would respond to your support in their giving? These three tips from Carrie are a starting point in the discussion:

1.   Foster their passion – Do not push your passion on kids.

2.   Make it easy for them – Say “OK,” and develop boundaries.

3.   Share in it with them – Make the time to volunteer together.

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Code of Caring – Three Generations Strong

R.B. Brown, photo courtesy of Calvin Brown

A code of caring can start at home. It’s how some families define their commitment to each other. It’s their safety net ensuring no one is left out or left behind. And when that net is extended beyond the family, an indelible legacy is created.

This is the theme of one man’s vision, R.B. Brown, who was born into a family of modest means in central Oklahoma. R.B. was a self-made man who made his money in the oil industry, raised a family, and developed a code of caring in his backyard of tiny Wilson, Oklahoma.

If R.B. learned a child needed clothing to go to school, he’d frequently and anonymously buy them something to wear. On occasion, for the senior prom, he purchased suits and dresses for the needy students so that they could attend and celebrate their rite of passage. 

R.B.’s compassion and concern for others has been passed down to his son, Calvin, who is carrying on the family tradition in Wilson. After his wife, Katie, died, Calvin started a memorial scholarship in her name for graduating high school seniors. 

The annual scholarship enables one deserving senior from Wilson High School to go to college. The winner receives funding for the freshman and sophomore years, considered the most difficult to get through. To be considered, students must demonstrate scholastic achievement, be inclusive, demonstrate a pattern of giving to others in need, and be well-liked by teachers, staff, and classmates.

R.B.’s legacy of caring continues with his grandchildren, including Scott, who lives in a large city and regularly buys meals for homeless individuals he meets on the street.

What began as one man’s vision to help others has expanded over three generations. R.B.’s commitment to others and his code of caring set an example for his family and was the catalyst for a net of compassion cast far beyond Wilson.

Social Change: One Family’s Legacy

Social change runs deep in some families. It’s a tradition passed on through words and deeds – a legacy as sure as those marked by names on buildings.

That’s the case with one multigenerational family we’ve come to know. Their commitment to helping others started years ago at home and spread far beyond. You can see it in Stephanie, the middle generation. We’ve changed her name but not her story. She recalls growing up with a supportive father who found interest in anything that interested her. Then, when Stephanie struggled with addiction, he was there too. By her side. Always.

Stephanie went on to have children, pursue an education, and become a social worker. It’s in her day-to-day work that we see the seeds of giving being planted in the next generation. When visiting underserved families, Stephanie would often bring her daughter along.

Now a college student, that daughter, whom we’ll call Leigh Ann, is keenly self-aware and following in her mother’s footsteps. Her mission: helping the homeless. Leigh Ann regularly volunteers at local shelters when she’s not fundraising for international causes to support homeless children or managing her college coursework.

And Stephanie’s father, who started it all? He’s a big part of Leigh Ann’s life as well. He consistently forwards articles about homelessness and provides donations when his granddaughter is fundraising for her favorite international nonprofit. Leigh Ann acknowledges him and her mother for instilling in her a behavior of giving – a lesson passed on through their strong sense of well-being and love.

Yes, social change runs deep in some families. It is a legacy. A legacy with meaning and purpose.

Engaging Millennials in Philanthropy

Millennials are one of the two largest demographic groups in the United States, second to Baby Boomers. Since they are having a measurable impact on our marketplace and charitable landscape, a shared understanding of their values and motivations is important to holistic family wealth management. In this 20-minute presentation, Lita brings her research to groups to identify the value of involving Gen Y family members in philanthropic planning. She shares her insights, highlights tools to facilitate comfortable conversations, and demystifies preconceived ideas about this significant group of young adults who are shaping our future.

Please contact us to schedule a presentation.