| Throwing down the Gauntlet of Philanthropy |
| by Terry Burton |
What if we looked at philanthropy a little differently? I think we should factor in charitable giving as part of the engine driving the economic recovery. In June came the news of a $100 million charitable donation from Marc Benioff, entrepreneur and founder of Salesforce.com, to the University of California, San Francisco, to build a new children's hospital. That's a $1.5 billion project slated for completion by 2014. A dynamic infusion of job creation for the construction sector, job creation for the staff of the new hospital and the long term multiplier effect those jobs have on the local economy. Funding for the hospital will most likely come from a combination of sources including municipal and state sources but it is philanthropists like Benioff and others who help bring these dreams to completion. Yes dreams and hopes, for something better. Marc Benioff is another example of someone willing to throw down the gauntlet of philanthropy. A direct challenge to his peers. A public statement of his willingness to step forward and lead by example in a manner that others can follow. Benioff's commitment lends financial backing to the worthy cause and challenges his peers to do likewise. Multi-media reports and the ubiquitous reach of internet delivery ensures that the news of the challenge reaches far and wide. Some will take note and help out with University of California, San Francisco hospital campaign. Others will think about it and may feel prompted to do something for a different nonprofit organizations. A $100 million charitable donation gets people's attention. It rattles the psyche of the every day routine for those who have the financial capacity to make a difference. And by the way, capacity is a relative thing. Think back a few months to the devastation in Haiti and the text messaging windfall of charitable support from people around the globe. Over $1 billion raised according to some reports, two, three, five and ten dollars at a time. The people of Haiti are re-building their homes, their communities, their lives. The third sector, the philanthropic sector as it is more commonly known, is the economic engine helping to make this happen. Billionaires and common folk, forever linked by their actions, by their choices, people who give their money and those who volunteer their time. As the North American economy surges and squeaks along, it appears as though the impact and importance of philanthropy has grown in epic proportions. Pockets of philanthropy have endured the latest financial pressures. Record setting totals have been reported across the USA and in Canada in spite of the economic hardships. In my REPORT on Major Gifts & Emerging Trends, 2009, you can find numerous examples of marvelous gestures of financial support to nonprofits of all sizes. Cities, counties, states and entire countries are struggling under the weight of financial duress. In 2009 we witnessed a near miss of a global meltdown of international currencies. In 2009 philanthropy contributed over $300 billion to nonprofit organizations in the USA according to a national survey published by Giving USA Foundation and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Emerging trends that I have been following suggest that 2010 will see those numbers increase slightly and trend even higher in the years ahead. Philanthropy is about adding to the greater good of society. A tradition of choice, a history of taking action, an enduring legacy for future generations. One day the business schools may pick up on what is going on behind the scenes of traditional commerce and take a good look at the third sector. Gross Domestic Product is a 1950's definition to quantify economic reality. How about adding a new equation to the curriculum? One that measures and keeps score of charitable giving. Perhaps we can call it the Charitable Giving Index, CGI. Philanthropy is woven into the fabric of everyday life and deserves to be recognized for the driving force it brings to national and global prosperity. ************************************************************************** Local content is available to supplement this article including: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Washington, DC and other US cities In Canada Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary in Canada ____________________________________________________ Terry Burton – Author, international presenter and consultant of more than 50 articles on charitable giving, major gifts and emerging trends in philanthropy. He is the President of Dig In Research, a market research firm that tracks major gifts in the USA and Canada. Recent publications include: REPORT on Major Gifts & Emerging Trends, 2009 70 pages available in PDF published March 2010 In 2008 Terry was commissioned by John Wiley & Sons to write: Naming Rights: Legacy Gifts and corporate money Terry has written three books on donor relations and stewardship between 2004 and 2006. Other articles can be found on the web site of SupportingAdvancement.com |
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