in-person exchange about neighbor’s aspirations and challenges

collaboration to support local hero’s work with time, talent and resources

local hero engages neighbor in development work

philanthropy: love of humanity

anyone can be a philanthropist.  more than the ability to write a big check, we believe that philanthropy reflects an attitude and a lifestyle. 

if you believe in people, if you like to create opportunity, if you see abundance where others see lack and if you take joy in others’ successes then you are a philanthropist.

people of great capability should be choosy about where they put their time and energy.  share your time, talent and resources in ways that match your values, and give you the joy of personal involvement in your giving.

personal philanthropytm concept

we act on these principles by:

1. •recognizing the importance and effectiveness of development work initiated by local heroes
   

2. •providing local heroes and neighbors with a network through which they can determine the kind of support they most desire (rather than having to accept whatever comes)
   

3. •providing philanthropists with the opportunity to engage their mind and spirit when deciding how to share their time, talent and resources
   

4. •allowing all three groups to share their stories and inspire each other on a purely human level

we challenge the stereotyped clichés that say:

“the rich should feel guilty for having money and their penance is writing a check to people in-need”

“only the wealthiest people can really make an impact - the average joe doesn’t have anything to offer”

“the poor are helpless and just want a handout”

“robin hood had it right - take from the rich and give to the poor”

“since we’re the ones with the money, we get to decide what people in developing countries need”

instead, we promote the following principles:

“money is the sign of a productive mind and it is each person’s option to invest in creating opportunity for others”

“everyone has the capacity to build respectful relationships with the poor.  most people have a skill that is greatly needed in developing countries”

“almost no adult is completely helpless, although many are struggling, and all humans deserve the chance to work hard for their own survival and flourishing”

“the rich have an interest in promoting a society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.  but income transfers from the rich to the poor do not solve the problem of poverty - they create dependency.  education, empowerment, and free-market economic development help solve poverty”

“what people need is for us to believe in them, then empower and equip the poor to take responsibility for their lives.  if they don’t participate in their own economic salvation, then we are repeating the mistakes of colonialism”