One of my clients, the MCS/TOUCH program was recently awarded a substantial grant to implement a program of community development.  It is a summer work program for young people – helping them take their lives to a new level of growth and exploration.  An essential part of this program, and of all the services at MCS/TOUCH, is to provide employment opportunities.  We have an enormous list of “Pathway Partners” – employers who are willing to give people the opportunity to learn about the positive benefits of a good day’s work.  They are small businesses and non-profit organizations that hire the participants and give them the gift of dignity. These business people are interested in making a profit, for certain.  However, they are also intensely committed to making an investment in the community.  Thank you to all the Pathway Partners!  They are making it possible for people of all backgrounds to get to the level where they are net contributors and do not have to be dependent upon “charity” for their survival. . . .

If you would like to learn how to become a Pathway Partner and jump to the highest level of the Golden Ladder, contact Laura Miller – 614.915.4324 or lmiller@nfpcoaching.com . . . The summer works! program fully compensates the participant (up to 120 hours).  See:  Pathway Partners wordpress blog

If you are a non-profit and would like to learn how we were successful in this grant process, contact Laura Miller at the phone/email above.  As a reminder, here is the Golden Ladder of Philanthropy:

The Golden Ladder of Philanthropy
By Maimonides

(From Lowest Level to Highest Level)

1. To give reluctantly, the gift of the hand, but not of the heart.

2. To give cheerfully, but not in proportion to need.

3. To give cheerfully and proportionately, but not until solicited.

4. To give cheerfully, proportionately, and unsolicited, but to put the gift into the poor person’s hand, thus creating shame.

5. To give in such a way that the distressed may know their benefactor, without being known to him or her.

6. To know the objects of our bounty, but remain unknown to them.

7. To give so that the benefactor may not know those whom he has relieved, and they shall not know him.

8. To prevent poverty by teaching a trade, setting a person up in business, or in some other way preventing the need of charity.

About the Author – Maimonides (1135 -1204)
Jewish rabbi, physician, Talmudic scholar and philosopher in Egypt.