The Power of Giving
Hi Everyone,
I hope this finds you enjoying this very hot summer. Like me, you're probably ready for fall.
Some interesting information has been released in the past month, including statistics about 2015 giving. Giving USA estimates that giving in every category--individuals, foundations, corporations and bequest--rose in 2015. Individual giving increased 4.1% in 2015. Total giving as a percentage of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 2.1%, $373 billion overall given to charitable causes.
The US philanthropic sector is an amazing thing--it's the most developed, robust and comprehensive charitable sector in the world. And reported giving figures don't include the billions of dollars that immigrant families send back to their families in other countries as direct support. While not going to an NPO, it is still a form of giving that originates in the US. People in the US are generous, and generous people give generously.
It is a beautiful thing and unfortunately it is often taken for granted. It reminds me of the saying that a prophet is not welcome in their home town. Why is that? I think part of it is that when we are too close to something, too familiar with it, too accustomed to it, it is hard to see truth in it. And we can have a tendency to devalue ourselves. How could something transformational come from my family, my community, my hometown? Both of these things come into play together to create a barrier to us appreciating both the prophet and the truth of the message.
The same thing can happen with the nonprofit sector. We can become so close to it, so accustomed to it, we can overlook or be blind to how special it really is, how unique it is compared to the entire world. So do me a favor, this month pause and share something with your staff, your board, your peers about how amazing the US nonprofit sector and philanthropy are. Reflect on what you are part of, as a volunteer, a donor or a staff person. We are a part of something truly amazing.
Have a blessed month,
Jamie
