Part of the proverbial American dream is to be wealthy enough to be considered a philanthropist. Oh, to be Carnegie, a Rockefeller, a Buffett or one of the Gateses. Alas, statistically it isn’t likely that many of you reading this TIPS newsletter will achieve this lofty level of wealth, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be philanthropists of another type. I contend there are many ways to be philanthropic regardless of our wealth. I have long considered myself a philanthropist of time more than of money.
While there have been many times in my life that I would truly enjoy being a member of the mega-wealthy crowd, actually becoming a member isn’t very likely. I have often wished I had enough wealth to be able to spontaneously buy just the right thing when I spot it for friends, family and acquaintances. One of life’s real pleasures for me is spotting the right thing, purchasing it and seeing the sparkle and joy in the recipient’s eye’s when you know it is just the right gift received as a surprise. So I have often wished for wealth so I could provide surprise treats for friends. Gifting in this manner gives me pleasure by seeing the pleasure it provides others. And while seeing the joy these gifts brings is more gratifying than gifts that are given when you don’t see the faces of the recipients, ‘hidden’ gifts are valued as much if not more by the recipients and very often needed much more.
I know both intellectually and emotionally when I give of my time in service to others, my giving is compounded many times over. Just like in monetary compound interest, the donation of my time is compounded many times through the additional services it provides to others in need. In this way I see myself as a philanthropist of time rather than money. And not matter what our monetary wealth is we each can give of our time and in this way compound the initial benefit.
In addition to seeing myself as a philanthropist of time rather than money, I also see myself as a social venture capitalist. Typically, venture capitalists provide financial assistance to aspiring, worthy causes in order to develop, market, produce or sell their ideas and products. I am a non-financial venture capitalist. I give my time to worthy causes who in turn fulfill needs in society that I can’t directly fulfill myself. Again, I can be a philanthropist without being wealthy by finding ways to compound the benefit of my offering and thus multiplying the value others receive.
What are you passionate about? What unmet needs do you see around you that you have the skill and knowledge to aid? What unmet needs can you fulfill and not spend money doing it? What would you fund if you had the mega-wealth of financial philanthropists? If you had large sums of wealth what organizations would you donate to? What needs do these organizations have that you have the talent to help solve? I know there are needs all around us that we often don’t see because we haven’t trained ourselves to look for the opportunities and/or we haven’t chosen to see ourselves as philanthropists or social venture capitalists in a non-financial way.
Warren Buffett and the Gateses are challenging the Forbes 400 wealthiest people in the world to give huge portions of their wealth during their life times. This is not only a US challenge, but a world challenge. Imagine the difference in our social issues, society in general, the financial spin-off effect and the sense of well-being throughout the world if this happens. But also imagine the same social impact if each of us began to see ourselves as social venture capitalists and philanthropists of our time and talent regardless of our wealth. What a difference each offering can make when it is compounded millions of times.
I challenge you to find one unmet need around you, offer your assistance, and find true pleasure in offering your skill, talent or service. If each reader of this newsletter did this there would already be a huge social impact. I hope Buffett and the Gateses are successful in their challenge to their wealthy friends, and I also hope I am successful in challenging each of you to find and fulfill an unmet need in an area that feeds your passion.
Just imagine the possibilities our collective gifts make. It’s good for society, it makes the world a better place, it’s good for business, and you’ll be feeding your soul.
For info on new programs browse http://www.peakperformancecorp.com or call me at 480-236-4266.
Joyce Friel
Peak Performance Consulting
11353 E. Raintree Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480 236 4266