by Jo Ann Hammond-Meiers, PhD, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Historically philanthropy has been defined as “the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed esp. by the generous donation of money to good causes”. Synonyms: benevolence, generosity, humanitarianism, public-spiritedness, altruism, social conscience, charity, charitableness, brotherly love, fellow feeling, magnanimity, bountifulness, beneficence, kindness, compassion, and other words.
After researching about philanthropy, I see it very differently than how I perceived it growing up which was having the heart towards a cause and being able to contribute by writing a cheque. Morgana Rae in a recent phone conversation suggested to me that she believed it was aligned with legacy building and that is certainly part of it.
I have a whole story or fragments of a life of stories I tell myself about that in my own life and my philanthropic relatives. I am very proud of my mother’s father who gave money to many social causes, as did his brother. The next generation did as well but also contributed through service clubs and time and skills that were donated generously and made a difference in the communities and in the world.
But just like we have money blocks that often come from our subconscious learnings as well as our conscious learnings about money, I see the correlation about my beliefs about who can be philanthropic and who will not have this tendency. But this is a myth based on learning attitudes, what we think is valid giving or not, and how we learn to become philanthropic in the course of our lives.
Just like money blocks, people can have lots of feelings about giving and receiving too. Did I give enough? Did my time in that volunteer work matter? Did I do it for myself too and is that okay? These are just a few of the reflective comments we make. Now, I personally define philanthropy as giving in a wide variety of ways — from heart – heart feeling and heart thinking. Philanthropy can be a learned process and people can navigate it with others. We require dialog and education. With support from others , the possibilities of and the scope of what being philanthropic can be is heightened.
An example of innovation and also philanthropic endeavours on the internet can be shown by J.J. Ramberg of MSNBC. Darlene Cary whom I interviewed recently in the up-coming May Telesummit, Innovative Change for Entrepreneurs, available now at http://www.innovativechangeforentrepreneurs.com, introduced me to J.J. Ramberg who recently wrote a book, who Darlene mentions in a podcast found here.
Darlene was excited about the philanthropic endeavour that JJ and Ken, her brother started regarding a Search Engine (toward the end of the podcast recording). It has been a huge philanthropic success. Ramberg and her brother Ken founded the charitable search engine GoodSearch in November 2005. She gave birth to her first child in early 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JJ_Ramberg. These efforts have raised money for many charities while making a thrive business as well.
“Giving to Profit” was a recent Telesummit this April, hosted by Alisoun MacKenzie, who has done amazing work in Rwanda. Tad Hargrave was a speaker in that Summit, interviewed. Alisoun. Similarly, for the Innovative Change for Entrepreneurs: Be the Light Summit, I interviewed Gem Munro from the Amarok Society, found at http://www.amaroksociety.org and he and his entire family and the volunteers of the Amarok Society help remote northern communities in Canada and mothers and children in the Slums of Bangladesh where they have now 20 Schools in that areas where people do not go. The impossible is possible and he has much to teach in the interview as well as gives the password to the documentary that has been made about the work. The film is an education for anyone about another part of the world and how we are able to learn by giving. The May Summit that I’m hosting is free.
For the past 20 years, Mark Scheflen, from NYC, developed his dream to advance communications between the USA, Africa, and Russia, while also working with other volunteers. He did this work by computers, art, interviews, and exchanges between students and he wrote for grants to support the work. The projects that he started from a dream is ‘Kiboko Projects” and an article can be found here. This is an example of the evolution of an idea and being philanthropic. It is about gifting business ideas, skills and time over time. Being an entrepreneurial philanthropist can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding and can make a difference.
Cynthia Kersey’s Unstoppable Foundation was inspired by the dream of wanting to make a significant difference in the lives of others. Many schools have been supported through the non-profit raising of money for African communities and it is a force to be reckoned with a as it influences many socially conscious entrepreneurs. In this Dec 21st post, 2013 posted by Cynthia Kersey . The Unstoppable Foundation was created, and remains committed to changing this picture of our world. Go to the many sites on the internet, Google it for more information. At Marcia Wieder’s Wealthy Visionary Conference in 2013 I was privileged to be among the many in the conference to help raise enough money to have 2 schools, along with running water and an infrastructure that support education itself. It was a collective effort – a wave that is spreading as entrepreneurs gain collaborative visions.
To end this blog, I’d like to thank Tad for having his visions and for exploring the edges of what is or can be new, innovative, and thought provoking for the curious and “mindful” traveler who wants to make a significant difference – big or small – a philanthropic possibility.
Jo Ann Hammond-Meiers can be reached at www.coachingflowsuccess.com
Hosted Telesummits include:
Entrepreneur Breakthrough to Success and Significance (June 2013)
The Money Flow Formula (March, 2014) The Money Flow Formula 2 (Jan/Feb 2015)
Innovative Change for Entrepreneurs (May 2014)
Align Your Business For Success (September 2014)
Dr Jo Ann Hammond-Meiers is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta, a Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist with The American Dance Therapy Association, a Registered Art Therapist in Canada and USA, a Certified QSCA Life Coach and Law of Attraction Coach. She has a Graduate Diploma in Distance Education and Technology with Canada’s Open University, Athabasca University. For over 20 years she has co-owned and managed a psychological firm. She has been in her online coaching/consulting businesses for three years. She can be reached at 780-433-2269, Edmonton or CoachingFlowSuccess@gmail.com. or she can be reached via www.drsgaryjoannmeierspsychologists.com