This post was written by Lynn Gerlach, pictured left, with Noran Sanford, the founder of Growing Change. Lynn volunteered with Noran’s nonprofit remotely for many months before they met in person at Greater Summit 2019.
Is philanthropy a self-satisfying endeavor restricted to the monied class: successful business owners, heirs to fortunes, self-made millionaires and the like? Or is there a sweet spot for “giving” for all of us? That might depend on how you define “philanthropy.” Clearly the volunteer subject matter experts (SMEs) who support The Greater Sum take that broad approach: sometimes they donate dollars to a promising start-up or venerable old nonprofit or to a friend’s Go-Fund-Me effort. But what they do consistently is offer their time, talent and expertise to nonprofits whose missions speak to them.
Some TGS volunteers have started “giving” at a young age and naturally continue in that vein. Claire Crum, CEO of Calm Ops and a strategic planning and operations SME for TGS, notes that she was active in her high school Key Club (supported by Kiwanis International); that early experience “drove my continued commitment to the nonprofit sector,” Claire told us. Is she a philanthropist? “I consider myself a philanthropist because I champion social impact organizations in my life and work. However, I don’t feel I fit the traditional idea of philanthropists as large donors.”
Dave Cortright, on the other hand, got his start as a donor of dollars. Now he’s a professional coach and a nonprofit IT SME for TGS. “Microsoft kicked off my serious philanthropy with their $12k donation match,” he explained. Now he plans his significant giving, but he also makes spur-of-the-moment donations, his chief interests now focused on mental health and well-being, environment/wildlife, and animal welfare. Dave says, in fact, that he took the giving pledge: He gives 10% of his annual earnings to charity (in addition to his in-kind donation of expertise to TGS).
How do you know it’s all worth it? What’s the evidence that your gift of dollars or doing is really paying off? TGS public relations SME Susie, who says she learned a philanthropic attitude from her parents, explains, “I think society has a tendency to define a philanthropist as someone who gives large amounts of money. But you don’t have to donate a lot to make a difference. Truly, for some organizations and causes, every little bit counts, even if it’s your time and services that you’re sharing as a volunteer.” Susie related her experience having given some public relations advice to a nonprofit: “A few weeks later, they told me they had used my work to secure some publicity for their organization. I understand that brought them additional attention and opportunities, and I knew my ‘donation’ had been effective.”
Eris Sharon, whose chief interests are education and the environment, considers herself a philanthropist who donates regularly but rarely gives money. “Generally, I support nonprofits that need my services. So those who reach out to me are first priority. Then I look for nonprofits focused on education for children and young girls, and those who are working to combat global warming. I do not consider myself a traditional philanthropist. Maybe in the future, if I have enough funds to really invest or start something on my own, sure. But for now, I help where I’m needed, and I offer whatever I can.” The CEO of Chatter Studios, Eris donates marketing expertise to The Greater Sum’s nonprofit cohorts, helping them capitalize on Google Ads grants.
Raised “to live a servant life” – That’s likely to give one a philanthropic outlook! TGS volunteer Johnta Hatchett credits that sort of upbringing to his evolution as a twenty-first-century philanthropist. “I donate time, experience, skill, and talent to create a better world,” he told us, “and I feel that my contribution has had an impact when I sense appreciation from those who benefit from it.” Johnta does give dollars at times, sometimes significant dollars for “causes that are near and dear to me: mentoring, giving back, communities that have less than those of others.” He said he plans the significant gifts but is willing to make a spur-of-the-moment donation too. “I decide which organizations to support based on their values and mission, and how my talents can be used for that organization.” Assurance Senior Manager with PwC, Johnta provides finance expertise for The Greater Sum.
As for me, I enjoy the giving of time and talent to organizations like TGS as a communication SME. A professional communication consultant, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring TGS grantees who need help with their branding or messaging, and I love the chance to do a little writing or editing for The Greater Sum. My connection to TGS came directly from my friendship with the foundation’s Executive Director: When Anna took the reins, I signed on for the ride. Do I enjoy donating money? Not particularly, but I accept that my financial contribution is sometimes critical; I tend to give small amounts, mostly to local political candidates who share my values. The best part about donating time and talent is that organizations like The Greater Sum ask for help with the things I do best, so that’s a win-win situation: I can contribute what comes easily to me while they focus on the rest, and I can do it rather effortlessly. If I had more money, I’d give more money. For now, I’m happy to provide the help TGS and other nonprofits request.
