Browsing Tag

philanthropy

Pouring Gas on the Fire

A few days ago I was talking with a friend who runs a large family foundation. They support a lot of causes but I was curious what motivated them to give to one organization over another. With all the good groups out there, and all the need in the world, how did they decide?

He used a phrase we’ve all heard often when he answered, “We love to pour gas on the fire when we see something is really working.”

Now this wasn’t an especially unique comment. I’ve heard it many times before. For that matter, I’ve said it many …

Generosity, Junkyard Management, Philanthropy,

Financial Planners and Generosity

Last week I wrote about not expecting pastors to be your primary source of information about generosity.

This week it’s about financial planners. Don’t assume that because they know the difference between a charitable remainder trust and a charitable gift annuity that they know anything at all about actual generosity.

The truth is that most financial planners are trained at, well, planning your finances. Most have a financial incentive in mind — namely fees for managing your money.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. I use them regularly. In this increasingly complex world we all need their expertise.

But … …

Generosity,

What is Your Currency?

This year starts with a favorite theme of mine: generosity. We tend to think of generosity as a financial gift. But it is so much more.

Here’s a question: where does your professional or relational credibility originate? What is it you do, or think, or say, or own, or believe, or who do you know, or where do you live, that gives you credibility in the eyes of your family, friends, coworkers, employees, or employer?

Let me be clear — credibility comes from our character. But professionally, even relationally, we are known for certain things. It might be skills, knowledge, …

Junkyard Management, Leadership, Philanthropy,

Which Part Are You?

Last week I wrote about junkyard wisdom and used the line, “Junk cars, like broken people, often have the parts to make something whole.”

It triggered some fun/silly exchanges with friends about what car part they actually are. One said he was a UV joint because he held things together, another said a seatbelt because he was strong but passive, and another said a spare wheel just waiting to go but enjoying the downtime (sounds Covid induced to me). There were others, but you get the idea.

So I was thinking about what spare part I am, and the metaphors …

Junkyard Management,

Junkyard Philanthropy

Here’s an obvious statement: a junkyard is filled with a lot of junk. The good junk is sold, and most of the rest is recycled. But some things have less than zero value because disposing of some items is an expensive endeavor.

The lesson learned from the junkyard is that giving it away is easier than throwing it away. It’s junkyard philanthropy.

For instance, old used tires are basically worthless. You can’t sell them, obviously. And they cost a lot of money to dispose of. They are hard to recycle, last forever in a landfill, and burning them releases toxic …

Belize, Jaguar Creek, Junkyard Wisdom Book, Leadership, PathLight, Salvaged,

Givers, Leaders, and Drinkers

Greetings from Jaguar Creek, Belize! I’m here with a dozen or so givers, leaders, and drinkers. Not necessarily in that order. The third annual Junkyard Wisdom Belize is happening and we’re having a blast talking through the challenge of being a good donor, a wise leader, and a sober … well, never mind.

Seriously though, the conversations are amazing. Most conversations about philanthropy take place in fancy hotels. Most conversations about leadership happen in large conferences or online TED Talks.

What I love about this event is we have these conversations in the rainforest of Belize, within a few …

Book Reviews,

Shrewd Samaritan

My latest favorite book is Shrewd Samaritan: Faith, Economics, and the Road to Loving Our Global Neighbor by Bruce Wydick. This book so impressed me I bought a dozen copies and gave them to people who should read it. And who should read it? Anyone working in poverty alleviation, anyone giving to charitable organizations, and anyone interested in how to measure impact.

Reading this book was like a breath of fresh air. Faith based but not preachy, practical but compassionate, and thoughtful without being academic. If you read this blog then you know a book that focuses on how to …

Book Reviews,

The Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie had an amazing impact on philanthropy and our understanding of wealth. His book is flawed in some ways, but well worth reading. Here’s a summer rerun for you. Originally posted a couple of years ago, it’s a good reminder.

Somebody once told me that Warren Buffet gave Bill Gates a copy of The Gospel of Wealth by Andrew Carnegie when Gates expressed interest in giving back to society. Not long afterward the Gates Foundation was created.

Is the book that powerful? Well, no. Nor do I think Gates was influenced solely by this book. But it is an …