In(c)ights | Fostering Philanthropy in the Next Generation
Maine nonprofit fundraiser Alicia Nichols published a poignant piece in today’s Knox and Waldo Village S0up about turning her daughter on to the fulfillment of giving to nonprofits. Nichols writes about growing up as the child of parents who lived through the Great Depression, and how her father failed to understand, after she landed a job raising money for Maine public radio, why people would engage in philanthropy: “You mean you ask people for money, and you give them nothing?”
Wanting her own daughter to have a more intimate grasp of the power of giving, Nicholas came to a realization … and a plan:
Over the course of moving a second time, I came to the realization that I want for nothing. Everything I could truly need or want is in a box or in a closet. Over the course of many Mother’s Days, birthdays and Christmases, I had received beautiful jewelry, lovely clothing, handbags and accessories. I have treasured favorites — earrings, bracelets and a watch given to me by my only child, my precious daughter.
And then it hit me — I do not need more gifts. I have everything I need … but I knew of countless nonprofits with too many needs. A unique opportunity stood before me. My daughter knew her mother’s commitment to nonprofits — but was I doing enough to nurture her understanding of giving? What had I taught my own daughter about being a donor?
As adults, what are we doing to nurture a new generation of donors, and can we do more? Charity, after all, begins at home.
So, in 2005, I made the following proposition to my then-18-year old daughter: From now on, each Christmas, Mother’s Day and on my birthday, please do not buy me presents. Instead, I asked her to take the money intended for gifts and select one or more nonprofits that hold special meaning to her and give to that nonprofit to support their mission. Each year from then on, I said, my “gifts” will go to the nonprofits of her choice.
For the past three years on every Mother’s Day, birthday and Christmas, I receive the most wonderful gifts — given on my behalf to nonprofit organizations like the Ronald McDonald House, Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, Project Linus and the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, among others.
Each of my daughter’s gifts has moved me for her thoughtfulness — the beautiful handmade purple quilt she made for Project Linus to give to a child in crisis; the Cabbage Patch dolls for two sick youth given to the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation; and the supplies and food bought and delivered to the Ronald McDonald House for the families of children hospitalized in Bangor.
As we approach this Mother’s Day, May 11, 2008, imagine what we could do within our state, across our country and around the world if we each begin to nurture a new generation of donors at home in our own families. Imagine the millions of Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthday and Christmas gifts that could be directed to needy and deserving nonprofits, and the wonderful new tradition of giving we could create.
We have the power within our own families to make the world a better place. If you don’t need another bottle of cologne, another scarf, another piece of jewelry — talk to your kids about giving to nonprofits.
There are organizations for all youth interests — arts, athletics, animal welfare, the environment, food banks, libraries and museums, Scouting. In fact with 5,560 nonprofits in Maine, the giving options truly offer something for everyone.
As parents we can teach our children to become a new generation of donors, because after all, charity begins at home.
What a terrific sentiment, and what a truly wonderful gift Nicholas has given her daughter. Do you talk to your kids about giving? If so, what do you say? | 501(c)
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POSTED IN: Fundraising, Musings, Worth a look
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