Wisegiving

Babies, babies, everywhere

elizabeth — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:24:17 +0000

The Census Bureau reported today that minority births in the U.S. now constitute a majority of births in the nation. Of equal importance to the nonprofit sector is the fact that children of immigrants are the fastest growing sector of the American youth population–making up nearly a quarter of the U.S. youth population in 2009 and projected to comprise fifty percent by 2040. Brown University researchers are among many nationwide seeking to understand “what fosters success in the lives of children of immigrants so that we can (1) provide these supports for those who are beginning to deteriorate or are not showing resilient outcomes and (2) foster the development of these supports in subsequent generations.” Today’s population data reinforces the need for creative responses from service providers and for donors to help support leadership development among this promising group of young people.

When Less is More

elizabeth — Tue, 01 May 2012 01:12:06 +0000

In an interesting example of corporate philanthropy Levi Strauss has teamed up with Water.org (and celebrity spokesperson Matt Damon) to raise awareness of the one billion people in the world who do not have access to clean water and Levi’s own manufacturing enhancements aimed at saving water. The Go Water < Less campaign is an effort to “give to others what we take for granted” and may result in three positive outcomes for Levi’s: sustainability of the company’s reputation for corporate social responsibility, enhancement of employee pride, and most importantly, the chance to make a difference for those who suffer from lack of access to this most basic resource.

The Goldman Environmental Prize

elizabeth — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 01:05:52 +0000

Sofia Gatica (center), Argentina

On April 16 I had the privilege of attending the awards ceremony for The Goldman Environmental Prize Program, the world’s largest prize honoring grassroots environmentalists. This year’s six Goldman Prize recipients—women and men who literally risk their lives to safeguard the environment—are extraordinary and their work was truly eye-opening for me. It is one thing to know that development projects worldwide are destroying ecosystems, communities and cultures, but quite another to see and feel the impact of this destruction through individual stories. For inspiration and information, visit the prize website.

Reclaiming Our Rights

elizabeth — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 01:45:58 +0000

If it seems to you that the assault on reproductive rights has accelerated in the past year, you are not mistaken. The Center for Reproductive Rights (The Center) notes that “in 2011 alone, legislatures across the U.S. passed more than 60 laws undermining reproductive rights protected by the U.S. Constitution, choking off access to critical reproductive health services and making rights that exist on paper increasingly difficult to exercise in reality.” The Center is the only global legal advocacy organization dedicated exclusively to the establishment, protection, and advancement of reproductive rights in constitutional and international law. To learn more about the 61 million women each year who lack adequate maternal and newborn care and what The Center is doing on their behalf, click here.

Call Me Hope

elizabeth — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:31:25 +0000

Just learned about Mama Hope, a young nonprofit in San Francisco. Two things about them caught my eye: a short music video they posted online and this, “At Mama Hope, we believe that the essential first step in changing the world is telling the story of connection instead of contrast and potential instead of poverty. People everywhere have talent and capacity, and people everywhere share a desire to be able to use those gifts to improve their lives and the lives of the people they care about.” Reposting their upbeat message just feels like the right thing to do on a day when the news of the world has been so dire. Special thanks to A Band of Wives for bringing this to my attention.

Pray the Devil Back to Hell

elizabeth — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:00:42 +0000

I recommend seeing “Pray the Devil Back to Hell,” an extraordinary documentary about a small group of Liberian women who, against all odds, helped win a long-awaited peace for their shattered country in 2003. When I say “against all odds” what I really mean is “in the face of the extraordinarily brutal violence perpetuated by Liberia’s then president Charles Taylor and the warlords who opposed him.” This is the story of courageous women and their desperate prayer for peace triumphing over terror, greed and a horrifying arsenal of weaponry and violence. It sets the mind to rethinking what is possible…My thanks to AJWS for screening the film throughout the Bay Area.

Where Do You Give?

elizabeth — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:36:10 +0000

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is stimulating an important conversation through their “Where Do You Give” campaign. Noting that the connectedness of the world makes it as easy to give to a project 10,000 miles away as it is to give to your local food bank, AJWS is asking two questions: “Does the accessibility we enjoy through the Internet and the preponderance of information available to us actually make us better donors? And what is the role of those who provide guidance and context when information alone is not enough to inform wise giving decisions?” My experience overwhelmingly points to the value of trusted advisors and intermediaries like AJWS and Global Fund for Women (who are especially helpful when you are making international gifts to NGOs without fiscal sponsors or 501(c)(3) status). One thoughtful contribution to the conversation can be read here. I look forward to reading more.

It Bears Repeating…

elizabeth — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:21:14 +0000

I try not to make a habit of repeating myself, but there are times when an exception makes sense. I just learned that there are still tickets for the February 24 conversation between Isabel Allende and Eve Ensler, author and founder of V-Day. Having seen Isabel on stage many times, I can tell you there is no one quite as honest, funny, blunt, shocking and entertaining. The event takes place at 7:00 p.m. at Dominican University in San Rafael and tickets can be purchased by clicking here. If you want to help spread the word (this is a V-Day fundraiser after all), please visit my site and share this message on Facebook.

Wanjiru Goes to Washington

elizabeth — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:32:56 +0000

Wanjiru with girls from Akili Dada

On Monday, January 30th, the White House will honor Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg as one of fourteen “Champions of Change” who are leaders in American Diaspora communities with roots in the Horn of Africa. I had the pleasure of meeting Wanjiru earlier this year—she is brilliant, passionate, energetic, and deeply committed to others. The nonprofit she founded, Akili Dada, is a leadership incubator investing in high-achieving young African women from underprivileged backgrounds who are passionate about social change. This honor follows the December 2011 announcement from Google that Akili Dada was awarded a $100,000 grant by Google.org. It’s a thrill to add my congratulations to the worldwide chorus singing her praises.

Hopeful News at Last?

elizabeth — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:31:03 +0000

On January 24th, the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported that Fidelity Charitable is now raising more than it did before the recession started–$2.9-billion last year, up from $1.6-billion in 2010 and $1.9-billion in 2007 before the downturn started. (Since most of the gifts it receives are in the form of stocks, the increase is largely attributable to the upward trend in the stock market.) More importantly for those in the nonprofit trenches, donors recommended distributions of $1.3 billion in gifts to charities, up from $1.2 billion in 2007. It’s too early to tell whether this is a trend rather than an anomaly, but a girl can always hope.