Main Street Philanthropy - Session 2, July 21, 2011

What's the difference between charity and philanthropy?  What are the various types of organizations in the non-profit sector that we might be able to support?  If we'd like to give, how do we determine who to give to?  Or, in the wise words of Aristotle: "To give away money is an easy matter and in any man's power.  But to decide on who to give it to, how large and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man's power nor an easy matter." 

Philanthropy is about being intentional and strategic with your giving.  It's about giving such that the recipient will become independent of the need for your gift.  Accomplishing this is much more difficult than just writing a check to appease a request.  Our task this week was to break into smaller groups, three to five students, and seek clarity on the specific needs we would like to address with our potential donations.  Last week, we had everyone prioritize the issues they'd like to address - animals, health, community, education, international, human services, etc.  It was interesting to get questions about why they ended up in specific groups, when they may have been given their first priority.  When this was explained, a few responded that they had just filled out numbers without really paying attention.  Perhaps that's my fault for not articulating the impact of their decision, but then again, perhaps it's a lesson in itself that mental engagement may occasionally work out in one's benefit.  Apply yourself; you will reap the benefit.  Submitting an answer without reading the question; may not work out so well...

After some group exercise, much of the time today was going over how to contact organizations to see about a time to volunteer in the next few weeks and/or meet with someone to learn more about how they impact our community.  I prepared a call script, voicemail script, email follow-up, and a crash course in cold calling and non-verbal communication when visible cues are not an option.  Pretty sure everyone is freaked out about making calls; that's nerve wracking for everyone.  However, for future job hunting and quite a few jobs out there, phone and other sources of communication ought to come in handy.  The good news is, they'll be calling organizations that are typically in need of volunteer support, talent, and certainly dollars.  They'll also be calling folks that are in a career with some level of altruistic intent, so there should be some willingness to help a student working on a project. 

Students this week were even more engaged than last week.  I think the project is sinking in a bit and they're becoming more comfortable in partnering with me.  There is so much to cover learn and share - for them and for me - I have a feeling the time will go quickly!  Guess that means we're having fun.  (At least I am; hopefully at least one or two others are getting some enjoyment...)  ~RyP  

Main Street Philanthropy - Session 1, July 14, 2011

Today was the launch of our maiden voyage of Main Street Philanthropy with McPhatter Middle School in San Diego.  Mission for the day was to get to know the students, give them an overview of the project, teach a bit about philanthropy, and begin identifying personal values and areas of concern the world.  Quite a bit to tackle in two hours!. 

Here's a quick low-down on what we'll be doing for the next six weeks:

• Have students identify their personal values and issues they would like to see resolved in our communities and society
• Assign them into groups of 3 - 5 that share similar concerns
• Identify organizations that share their values and concerns, then contact them to set a time to volunteer for, or interview with leadership of the organization 
• Evaluate the organizations for long term financial stability
• Decide in their groups how to distribute funds from our Main Street Philanthropy Fund - a fund that was made possible though a generous donation from a wonderful family with a heart for service and philanthropy
• Through the sessions, we'll teach and lead exercises about philanthropy, types of organizations, volunteerism, financial awareness, and all sorts of other tidbits.

The entire concept of philanthropy, the word itself, what it means, its impact on society, its origin - all this is relatively unknown or misunderstood.  I've spent a fair number of years working in the space and still picked up quite a bit in preparing for this course.  Going way back; in Plato's will, in 347 BC, he left his farm to a nephew with instructions that the proceeds be used to support faculty and students for the academic institution he founded.  Ever wonder why Harvard University has been so successful with their fundraising?  With over 370 years since John Harvard gave a library and half of his estate to the school in Cambridge, MA, they've had a fair amount of time to develop their model!  In 1860, several women in Hartford, CT felt like boys should have an alternative to roaming the streets after school or work.  The result, the Boys and Girls Club of America!  The Nobel Prize, Julliard School of Music, the Rockefeller Foundation, Al Capone's Soup Kitchen, Andrew Carnegie, the story behind Make-A-Wish Foundation, and more recently Bill and Melinda Gates' contribution of $1 billion to the William H Gates Foundation - amazing stories that have impacted hundreds of thousands of lives! 

So, the history of philanthropy was a good discussion, but there is little more encouraging than speaking with folks, no matter what their age or background, about their personal values and things in the world they would like to see changed.  Getting middle school students to open up in front of peers and a stranger (me) is no easy task, but we eventually made progress.  They expressed an interest in ensuring that everyone has access to food and shelter, and that schools are given proper resources and supplies to make education as effective as possible. They discussed the importance of care for animals with no-kill shelters.  They would like to provide support to families that are facing terminal illness in a family member. 

I'm not completely sure everyone understands the full extent of this program, but it's week one, and we have much ground to cover!  I can say that I'm thrilled to be working with these students; we have a great group - bright students that have all the potential needed to run with this thing.  They are also extremely fortunate to have Mr. K as their teacher.  His passion for helping them truly learn, not just memorizing facts and figures, but how to think, learn, gain wisdom and discernment is a tremendous gift.  He doesn't throw fish; he teaches them how to fish.  His impact, and possibly that of this program may take some time, perhaps decades to be realized, but I do believe it will prove meaningful in the lives of all of those involved - myself included!  Until next week, ~RyP

Welcome to Main Street Philanthropy!

We're bringing philanthropy to Main Street!  Most of us think that philanthropy is only for the ultra rich folks that want their names on buildings.  While these large gifts have done wonderful things for society and our communities, there's more to philanthropy than that.  In fact, the word "philanthropy" has nothing to do with money!  Philos - love, Anthropos - mankind or humanity.  It's not about the dollars, it's about the intentional positive impact on mankind.  Further, while dollar donations are fantastic for organizations and critical for providing the servies, as the philanthropist, you may gain more from the process leading up to check writing than the check itself. 

Main Street Philanthropy is all about lessons we can learn in participating in philanthropy.  While the dollar figure makes an impact, the learning and experience is priceless.  You'll be able to learn more about the program at our website (once it's set up!) and join us as we venture through this program with our first group of students (and future philanthropists!) at McPhatter Middle School in San Diego!