Surf's up! Ride this wave of information

Posted Apr 23, 2010 by Patricia Lawler | Comments ( 5 ) | Filed in:

Surfing has become a year-round sport here in southeastern North Carolina, and if the water is big I guarantee that there will be several dedicated – or at least slightly crazy – people bobbing offshore waiting for the perfect wave regardless of rain, freezing temperatures or gloomy clouds.

Although I love the ocean, my own attempts to hang ten ranged from comical to pathetic, so I stick close to shore and enjoy the show from a comfy stool at a local oceanside tiki bar.  I get my surfing thrills from the Internet now, and nothing makes me happier than discovering sites that are entertaining, informative and, if you are really lucky, funny.

As a development officer with the Foundation, I advise our donors and affiliate board members on both making grants to address community needs and raising money for their endowment funds, so I am constantly on the hunt for both practical information and stories that can inspire and delight.  I’m always sending my colleagues and board members links to new blogs and sites, although I confess that I never give some of them a second look.

However, two sites that never fail the “inspire and delight” test are SOFII and Blue Avocado.  No, SOFII is not about furniture – it is an acronym for Showcase of Fundraising Innovation and Inspiration (www.sofii.org). 

SOFII “seeks to provide those who raise funds for charities or for charitable purposes, wherever they are, with a comprehensive, easily accessible archive of the best creative fundraising from around the world.”  The site, which is based in England, introduced me to ITIHAS (I Think I Have A Solution), a registered trust in India.  Its goal - “to accelerate social change by helping nonprofit organisations to plan core functions and programme implementation at the grassroots level” – which mirrors the NC Community Foundation’s own mission of building nonprofit capacity here at home. 

Another great idea from the country is Give India’s Joy of Giving Week, a nationwide initiative that involved nonprofit organizations, corporations, celebrities and citizens in raising awareness of community needs and the power of philanthropy.  Check it out at www.joyofgivingweek.org.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could inspire a Joy of Giving Week right here in North Carolina?  SOFII also guided me to Greenpeace’s provocative beer mat campaign to encourage planned giving, which demonstrates how a simple message can have great power.

Blue Avocado (www.blueavocado.org) is a periodic newsletter tailored for nonprofit staff and volunteers.  Articles range from the practical – “Ten Quick Ways to Invigorate Board Meetings,” to its “3 Minute Vacation” series with links to interesting music and videos.  Who knew there was a stand-up comedian who can make economics fun? (www.standupeconomist.com) 

Both of these sites illustrate the amazing creativity and boundless enthusiasm of the nonprofit community both here and abroad as we work together to improve lives.

Talking about philanthropy

Posted Apr 9, 2010 by Carrie Gray | Comments ( 3 ) | Filed in:

I was recently travelling with my family when my 11-year old daughter leaned over in her seat and said, “Mom, read this story.”  As I began to read about a family who became friends with a man they were once apprehensive to get to know, I wondered: “Where is this going?”  The article went on to explain that the man had faced significant financial hardships and often came to their door looking for work.  Over several months the family befriended the man and gave him odd jobs in order to earn money.  At one point in the relationship, the family had cleaned out their closets and found what they thought would be suitable clothes for the man, leaving them on their doorstep for him.  The story concludes by one of the family members asking the man if he had found the clothes they had left, and he responded that he was ever so grateful.  As the teenage boy began to fill with pride that his family had helped the man, he continued by saying that he was so grateful for the opportunity to help someone less fortunate than himself.

I finished reading the story and looked at Julianne, who smiled at me and said, “Mom, that man is a philanthropist.”  Indeed that man is a philanthropist, but that is not what struck me the most about this moment with my daughter. 

Julianne and I have been talking about giving back and the role philanthropy plays in the life of a community ever since she was little, but never had she identified a philanthropist without prompting.   This conversation reaffirmed my commitment and belief that it is our role as moms, dads, friends, aunts, uncles, grandparents and just plain adult allies to educate our young people about philanthropy and the power it has in forging partnerships, strengthening communities, breaking down barriers and engaging with others. 

Our discussions about philanthropy can’t occur just once – they need to be on-going and deliberate.  Let’s think about those conversations as melting-pot talks and be inclusive when we speak of philanthropy.  I know I can do more just as you know you can do more, but if each of us is willing to start a conversation with a young person and then work to increase his or her engagement in the community; one day we’ll be in the midst of a community of givers who know no other way of life.  It will be that day that we’ll know we have made a difference, because we took the time to share with someone younger than ourselves the power of philanthropy.