The Philanthropist
The Philanthropist
People are so intimidated by that word, philanthropist. Bet you’re one. If you give from the heart, you’re a philanthropist. If you’ve given to a charity or your nephew, if you’ve done good with your time or your skills or your no-longer-needed stuff, you’re a philanthropist. Think of yourself as a Thrillionaire if you know how good it feels to give.
What is your untapped philanthropic capacity? What do you have that you’re not using that you could be giving?
Ruth Ann is a participant in the Women Moving Millions initiative, the Women Donors Network, Rachel’s Network, Bolder Giving, the Association of Small Foundations, the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and the Philanthropy Roundtable.
Busted
Day 61
Some of you think you’ve caught me red-handed – working.
I’ve had a number of messages (thanks for your sarcasm, your curiosity, your concern) referring to evidence that I’m doing things that look like work.
(Pause)
(Reflect)
(Accept intervention message)
Maybe you’re right. I am having more temptation than I expected to dip my toe into…OK, I’ll say it, [...]
This Is Not Working
Day 46
The temptation to “work” today is stronger than at any time since the beginning of my sabbatical.
I resisted most compulsions to tweet and blog TED2010 . My output at TEDGlobal2009 was prodigious by comparison.
As expected, I connected with some of our grantees, but also as expected, that was a joyful reward, not workwork.
Today I am powerfully pulled toward [...]
My Hero
Day 38
Overheard: A man explaining how he handles requests for charitable contributions:
“I have three answers. ‘Yes.’ ‘No.’ And ‘Talk to my wife.’”
I am going to search my systems for places where “Yes.” “No.” And “Talk to (someone else).” can be implemented as the only possible responses.
You Never Step Into The Same Conference Twice
Day 37
If I hadn’t already signed up, I might have decided to skip the TED Conference.
This might shock those who know I love the annual gathering, that it is the one thing that is on my calendar in indelible ink, that I am paid up until 2017.
I’ve been attending in my role as president of [...]
How Not To Get Money From Steven Spielberg and Angelina Jolie
Day 33
Is this work, if I write about a fundraising crime?
I was actually reading a showbiz publication, Hollywood stuff, and wound up reading the case study of a philanthropy in crisis.
That link takes you to a news story about a fundraiser that the organizers admit they threw together in less than two weeks, and yet they have [...]
The Battle of Obituaries
Day 28
My former colleagues at the late, lamented Nashville Banner have written beautifully about our recently deceased colleague Bob Battle.
Here’s his official obituary .
Here’s what Beverly Keel wrote.
Here’s what Tim Ghianni wrote.
Here’s what Susan Leathers wrote.
And here’s what I have to say: Bob Battle was nice to me.
When I was 23 years old, just starting my [...]
Earthquake in Haiti Aftershocks Felt…Here
Day 15
I’m having flashbacks to my old TV news anchor days.
If I were still working in the newsroom, the earthquake in Haiti would have been the center of my world for as long as it was a big story. I’m glad I’m no longer required to immerse myself in tragedy. These days, I get the information I need, take what [...]
Slower
Day 14
Yes, I know, it’s almost the end of Day 14. I’m not responding to artificial deadlines this year.
When TED Community Director Tom Rielly invited The Harnisch Foundation to be a founding sponsor of the TED Fellows program, we signed on immediately. The TED Fellows are some of the most extraordinary people in the world. As a [...]
There Is No Try – Do Or Do Not
Work ethic- it was pounded into me from earliest childhood.
Kids had chores, and were expected to exercise some creativity, ingenuity, and enterprise to earn their own money. I can’t remember when I wasn’t busy. I usually had more than one job – even in high school, I was working at a radio station and a [...]
I Am That Nerdy Kid – The Misguided Gift
New York Magazine’s recent holiday-themed ”The Gift Issue” featured a category of unwelcome presents entitled “Loving But Misguided”. Julia Pentz, 22, recalled: “The nerdy kid in my sixth-grade class gave me an engagement-style ring from Wal-Mart and professed his love. I was mortified.”
I relate – because I am that nerdy kid, except instead of being in [...]
