With so many opportunities to donate money and volunteer this holiday season, I decided I needed to do a gut check on my philanthropic giving. Especially after learning about Sherry*, at the tear-filled Salvation Army event I recently attended.
Sherry's mother was addicted to drugs and alcohol and Sherry spent most of her life in and out of homeless situations. At its worst, the mom walked the streets with Sherry in tow and left her on the sidewalk to wait, while she turned tricks. A volunteer from Salvation Army saw Sherry while delivering a food basket to her mother, and invited Sherry to a youth group. Even though Sherry was embarrassed about who she was and where she came from, and extremely shy, she joined.
Within the Salvation Army community, Sherry found meals, companionship and serenity and most of all acceptance. When Sherry was a teenager, she and her mother faught a lot. Sherry prayed for a miracle, that her life would somehow change for the better. Her prayers were answered when her mother abandoned her and she got adopted by a family somehow affiliated with the Salvation Army.
I couldn't help but cry--along with most people at our table--while we watched her story unfold. Then after the video, Sherry, who was sitting at the next table, got up and spoke. Most people had got a grip by this point, but I kept right on blubbering. I couldn't stop thinking about how life changing the Salvation Army had been for this young woman, and the many others out there like her.
So what's a philanthropist to do? (Even a small one like me.) Focus on meeting immediate needs and support groups like Salvation Army that are doing so much good, and having real, tangible impact in the lives of people who are suffering today... Or, give to groups that address the underlying causes of the problems in hopes of preventing the suffering in the first place.
For the past five years, my primary philanthropic giving has gone to the Maine Women's Fund. I like how they give grants to groups that are working on systemic change--
preventing hunger, abuse, homelessness, discrimination--through public policy work and direct service. (I also like how they are uber frugal.)
I'm happy to report on two conclusions from my gut check...
1.) I still want to invest more in the systemic change side of things. I believe that these huge issues such as hunger, homelessness, abuse, etc. can be solved. And at least in my lifetime, can be dramatically lessened. However, this won't happen unless there is focused, consistent and strategic action taken. I feel good about supporting that type of action and the results it will produce. While its not as concrete as Sherry's story, there are tangible results--better jobs, more access to higher education, more economic security, less suffering.
2.) It's time to increase my giving a little and include some direct service/immediate need charities. Yes, it will probably be to Salvation Army's in my area. Part of my increased giving will involve the boys. I told them that whenever we go out to shop this November and December to bring a handful of change so they can drop it in a Salvation Army kettle.
So this holiday season, I urge you to do your own philanthropic gut check. If necessary, change your giving habits. If you're happy with what and how you're investing your donations, don't change a thing. Whatever you do, be strategic in your giving. Otherwise you'll just feel pulled in a hundred different directions and guilty for not being able to respond to the various requests.
Cool idea for Christmas--if you want to support social change.... You can
make a gift to the Maine Women's Fund in honor or in memory of someone special. They will send a nifty card to the person you want to honor.
* Sherry is not her real name. Not because I'm trying to protect her identity, but because I can't remember it.
