Category Archives: Inspirations
What are you doing when you feel most beautiful?
What are you doing when you feel most beautiful?.
A reblog of Jacqueline Novogratz’s post from earlier in November. Acumen Fund is putting a new face on philanthropy and self-determination. Funding entrepreneurs for community development all over the globe. Want to see the highest level of the Golden Ladder of Giving? This is it . . .
This will touch your heart and give you new perspective.
The 2012 Odysseus Award in Philanthropy
UPDATE – David Beebe passed away November 4, 2012 – his personal presence will be greatly missed, but his inspirational legacy of courage and love of mankind will continue in our hearts.
In September, I was honored to be able to tell the story of David & Carolyn Beebe in a short presentation at the 2012 Odysseus Awards, held at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium:
The Work Is the Gift
David & Carolyn Beebe
The Odyssey is also known as “The Wanderings of Odysseus”, recounting how one man adapted to the challenges and sufferings in life to become an example of strength, generosity and courage. A seemingly random sequence of tests, obstacles and frustrations becomes the life’s work of Odysseus, and in the end it enables him to benefit his family and his entire kingdom.
In the same way, David and Carolyn Beebe have dedicated themselves to working for the greater good, despite personal and physical obstacles. In the process, they have shown us the way to build and sustain a legacy of authentic giving. Their expressions of philanthropy are seen in not only through the sharing of wealth but also in sharing their wisdom and work.
David and Carolyn’s families can be traced back to the very beginnings of America and Ohio. David’s family were among the first to settle Ohio after fighting in the American Revolution. Thus, he and his brother have been accepted in the Sons of the American Revolution and the First Families of Ohio. Clearly, David and Carolyn come from a long tradition of working to build communities.
David attended Ohio University and is a graduate of The Ohio State University and Capital Law School. Carolyn chose teaching as her profession, graduating from Capital University and teaching young children for over 30 years. David and Carolyn chose their professions so that they could make an impact every day. As David expresses it – “I can help people in a meaningful way and make a living at the same time. It’s wonderful.”
David entered a career in Trust advisory services, working at BancOhio, which later became National City and is now PNC Bank Trust. He worked with clients to establish and implement long-term estate plans that included philanthropy. One of the most notable families he assisted for many years were the Hartmans, who were innovators in agriculture and owned the massive farms south of Columbus. Meeting the families and showing them the ways to continue to make a difference were the most rewarding aspects of the business for David. He pursued this with such professional excellence, that he was recognized many times over by National City for his service to clients. Because of David’s sage advice to client families, Columbus has many services and non-profit organizations that would otherwise be smaller or missing altogether.
But David was not content to be alone in the estate and philanthropic advisory profession. He shared his knowledge and understanding through his leadership in the Columbus Estate Planning Group. This was a group of allied professionals in estate planning and philanthropy that included attorneys, trust officers, foundation and non-profit executives and financial advisors. For many years the Columbus Estate Planning Group flourished under his guidance and energy. He received many awards from them in recognition to his dedication, hard work and effective education of professionals engaged in advising individuals and families in philanthropy.
David pursued his law degree and a career in Trust advisory despite the diagnosis of arthritis at age 21. Pain and exhaustion are part of the disease, but David did not let it deter him. In fact, he and Carolyn partnered to dedicate themselves to active participation in the fight against arthritis. David has been a volunteer, donor and highly involved board member for the Arthritis Foundation. David had served as chairman and President for many years and they have given thousands of hours of volunteer time for the cause. Without David’s wisdom and work in action with the Arthritis Foundation, thousands of lives would be less abundant. He has lead major capital campaigns for the Arthritis Foundation and tirelessly used his unique “call-to-action” skills to inspire personal friends and professional colleagues to join the cause for research and treatment of arthritis. Indeed, his work has been so important and significant to the cause, that he received the National Volunteer Service Award and the Jerry Walsh Courage award from the Arthritis Foundation. David and Carolyn have been truly dedicated to making lives more rewarding and healthy.
As if that were not enough, David also has been highly active in Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio. He served for many years on their board and, again, was an active volunteer. One of his special projects was volunteering at Faith Mission. He says that volunteering to serve the people at Faith Mission has been one of the most rewarding activities of his life.
Clearly, whether in the classroom, the office, the boardroom or the back streets of Columbus, David and Carolyn have been busy throughout their lives to encourage, build, strengthen and grow the community. They are always looking for a way to put their values of courage, loyalty and generosity into action. They give with their whole hearts and encourage others to do the same. David says that volunteering is especially rewarding – he highly recommends it as a way to be happy; saying that you will never be sorry – receiving much more than you give.
David and Carolyn believe strongly in providing financially for the causes and organizations that they value and promote. They give faithfully to the Arthritis Foundation and Lutheran Social Services. They also are strong supporters of the Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin Park Conservatory, their church and their alma maters. For instance, they recently donated the funds for their church to purchase trumpets for the organ so that Sunday worship services can be an expression of glorious beauty.
Beyond gifts during their lifetime, David and Carolyn also feel it is important to support those same causes well into the future, even if they will not be there to see it. They recognize that the organizations we support during our lifetimes can be left with a serious gap upon our passing. Not only will our personal presence be missing, but our economic support could disappear as well. David and Carolyn believe that prudently making arrangements for those organizations in estate plans could prevent staff reductions and reduced services, especially if we have been a significant contributor and advocate in the past. In this way, the Beebes know that we can make an expression of love and dedication to others, even for those whom we will never meet.
Philanthropy means love of mankind. For David and Carolyn Beebe, love is not an emotion – it is an act of will. The Beebes have served others with grace and love despite the challenges in their lives. Their work has been their chosen vehicle of philanthropy. It has truly been “love in action” – they are not content to watch but actively participate in the success of the organizations and causes to which they are devoted. They have encouraged and inspired those who know them. They have given of their wealth, wisdom and life’s work to improve lives and make a difference. Their life is one of dedicated love of mankind with personal sacrifice. Because of their inspiration, Waller Financial Planning Group is honored to recognize David and Carolyn Beebe as the recipients of 2012 Odysseus Award in Philanthropy.
Baucus Issues Statement on Tax Reform and Charitable Giving
Click here to learn more about the New Paradigm in Giving
Baucus Issues Statement at Public Hearing on Tax Reform and Charitable Giving.
Note the Senator’s comments on “partnership”. As we highlighted last Friday in our radio interview with Ron Stebleton, cooperation and collaboration is the proven success model. (See RADIO tab to listen to the archived episode of Oct. 21, 2011)
Sen. Baucus also referenced how the history of the USA is closely connected with philanthropy. Our past success has depended upon it. Claire Gaudiani has offered in-depth analysis of the importance of citizen generosity throughout the last 3 centuries on this continent.
Despite the fact that the USA citizenry has a history of generosity and collaborative philanthropic action, fundraising and non-profit work is in crisis and the new paradigm is calling for different action. Don’t get me wrong, those of you in non-profit work are doing a great job, and you have big hearts. However, it is plain to you that a new direction is in order. You may feel adrift on the wide ocean of change, and your efforts may not be producing the desired changes . . .
Take control and manage your present situation – stop drifting with the wind and waves and use the wind and waves to sail a charted course successfully . . .
In our mastermind groups, we use a proven success model to connect your aspirations with purposeful, strategic action. You can read books and attend seminars; but unless you have a group with mutual support, change will probably not happen. (Think about all the personal development books, seminars and workshops you’ve paid for and been to – how much truly became implemented and made a difference?)
Advocate for open and free expression of generosity, read Gaudiani’s books, and join a Mastermind for Non-Profits group to operate more effectively within the New Paradigm of Philanthropy.
Contact us for a conversation: philanthropyplus@hotmail.com or 614-915-4324.
Capturing Your Organization’s Stories
Wild Apricot Blog : Capturing Your Organization’s Stories.
It is important to tell your organization’s story – it’s not all about the MATH and “bottom line” numbers. The blog article referenced above has great advice on how to engage your “raving fans” and volunteers to gather photos, leads on stories and various ephemera that can make a heart-felt compelling case for support.
The YouTube video below is a piece I put together recently for a couple that received an award for outstanding philanthropy. They ran a successful small business that became the engine for major gifts and planned giving to several outstanding non-profit organizations. Building these relationships and telling their stories inspire others to higher levels of philanthropy that will benefit your non-profit fundraising efforts as well as many other organizations.
Contact Laura to set up your organization’s editorial calendar – tell great stories and widen your network of raving fans!
philanthropyplus@hotmail.com 614-915-4324
Profiler – Part 1 09/28 by PhilanthropyPlus | Blog Talk Radio
Profiler – Part 1 09/28 by PhilanthropyPlus | Blog Talk Radio.
Non-profit databases provide profiles, ratings and basic data regarding 501(c)(3) organizations. Keeping your profile updated and attracting good reviews will help potential donors and grantmakers get a dashboard look at your organization and its mission. Michele Demers from Foundation Source will talk with us about Access – a new database made available to private foundations. Learn how to boost your fundraising and grants from major donors.
I really like the feel of the Foundation Source ACCESS database – it tells the story not only in words but in pictures as well. It has a community and conversation feel, not just the cold, hard data. They have purposefully made it so that non-profits and private foundations can interact to make significant impact in communities all over the world. Looks like Foundation Source has hit another home run in promoting private “venture philanthropy”. Thank you for this innovation and Making Good Work!
see the TOOLS tab for a free offer to Non-profits:
Update your Guidestar profile for FREE today!
NEW paradigm in giving is actually OLD
The New Paradigm in Philanthropy – it’s really quite old.
In 1630, John Winthrop was sailing west to a new land, America. He was leaving England to build and lead a new community in a wilderness. He knew that it would be difficult and would take persistence to achieve the aim of creating a new type of society. So on the long journey across the Atlantic, he wrote a sermon addressing the ideas of independence and INTER-DEPENDENCE that would be necessary for all to succeed.
In Winthrop’s day, as in ours, he realized that to work for one’s self and one’s family was an important motivator in building community success. However, he saw peril and “shipwreck” of the local economy and the Massachusetts Bay Colony if the residents did not also work to support each other in mutual generosity . . .
From the conclusion of this sermon:
Now the only way to avoid this shipwreck, and to provide for our posterity, is to follow the counsel of Micah: to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God.
For this end, we must be knit together, in this work, as one man.
We must entertain each other in brotherly affection.
We must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities, for the supply of other’s necessities.
We must uphold a familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentleness, patience and liberality.
We must delight in each other; make other’s conditions our own;
rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together,
always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, as members of the same body.
So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
This was the core principle of private philanthropic endeavor in the United States. It is a voluntary system of working together for a common end. It is a harmonious cooperation that allows for freedom of choice at all times. In modern terms, this harmonious cooperation we call a “Mastermind”.
Becoming part of a Mastermind Group means joining together with like-minded people to achieve our aims and goals. Each person in the group brings something different to the table and each has unique goals. Despite this seeming disparity of talent and desires, they all work toward of a common aim of learning and applying what they learn from each other to achieve success in their individual lives.
As John Winthrop realized in the 17th century, unless we all cooperate and share our tangible and intangible assests, the community will dissolve and our power to do good will dissipate.
Reflect on the economic news in the past few weeks. It is not getting better, folks. The only way for the economy to get better is for each of US to make it better. But we can’t do it alone. Stop waiting for someone else to do something – you have unique gifts and talents that are lying dormant. Those special skills can be developed to help your own situation and that of others.
How to take the first steps in improving your own personal economy:
- Join a Mastermind Group (See the MASTERMIND tab of this blog.)
- Join the weekly conversation – MAKING GOOD WORK – a radio program dedicated to non-profit excellence and success. (See the RADIO tab of this blog.)
I invite you to explore using a Mastermind Group as a way to build your organization and to MAKE GOOD WORK!
Overcoming Adversity
How do you view adversity? Set aside the time to listen to an inspring call:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf
The attitudes, principles and actions that they discuss are exactly what we work through in Mastermind Groups. Check out the MASTERMIND tab to learn how you can follow up the inspiration with ACTION.
Collier County Honors Outstanding Educators
The Golden Apple Awards/Teachers of Distinction - 2011
The Education Foundation of Collier County held its annual Golden Apple Awards gala last week at the Phil in Naples, Florida. Only one word for the honorees: INSPIRING. I walked away feeling uplifted, optimistic and with a renewed sense of dedication to my work. The Golden Apple Award recipients are among the most gracious and humble people you could ever hope to encounter. They made me wish I could return to school again! The families of Collier County Public Schools are indeed blessed to have such dedicated educators and administrators. The community is stronger because of the work of the teachers and support organizations such as the Education Foundation.
The Education Foundation works with the schools to provide special scholarships, classroom support, and professional development for the teachers. They are embarking on new programs with new opportunities for supporting the work. Take a look at their website and contact Susan McManus to learn more about how you can help the cause for improving children’s lives – for life! You may find that philanthropy will solve some of your problems at the same time!
Unleashed Abundance 