Generosity is Everywhere (if you look for it)

What is the difference between philanthropy and generosity?

This was a topic of discussion as I connected with charities at events in Seattle and Dallas this week, with more than 5,000 nonprofit leaders in attendance all told. 

I’ve written extensively about the generosity crisis we are seeing in the United States. I’ve also written about the role of philanthropy in society.

But in all the time I’ve been thinking and writing about these topics, I haven’t considered the question, “What is the difference between philanthropy and generosity?”

As I think about it, the common thread is that generosity is a more holistic idea than our modern conception of philanthropy. 

Generosity is not just dollars given to a 501(c) IRS tax-exempt organization (as important as that is).

Generosity is a heart posture. It’s a way of living. It’s both a part of how I believe we were made to be, AND it’s a practice modeled for us by others. It’s giving of yourself. It’s giving time. It’s giving talent. It’s leaning into community. It’s caring for others.

Here’s a thought experiment…

If I asked you if you would rather be known as a philanthropist or as a generous person, which would you want to be known as?

Personally, I want to be known as a person who lives generously. I want to be generous with relationships. With time. With experience. With access. With knowledge. With resources. 

On the other hand, philanthropy today brings up images of billionaires putting their name on buildings or attending posh galas with red carpets. 

That’s too bad, because, as I write about in the opening chapters of The Rise of Sustainable Giving, philanthropy goes far deeper than endowments and donor names on buildings:

Simply defined, philanthropy is the use of private resources for public purposes. The giving of resources like time, talent, and treasure has deep roots in human history.

The first recorded use of the term “philanthropy” was in the fifth century BC in the Greek play Prometheus Bound—a combination of the Greek words philos—that which is beloved, dear, and important, and anthrōpos—a human being. 

Philanthropy, literally translated, means for the love of humanity.

Excerpt from “A [Brief] History of Sustainable Giving”
The Rise of Sustainable Giving, Dave Raley

💡 Takeaway: Philanthropy may mean “for the love of humanity,” but in today’s culture, it’s more often associated with mega donors and transactional giving. What would it look like to reclaim philanthropy as a crucial aspect of living a life of generosity? 

I’m curious to hear your thoughts – what do you see as the difference between philanthropy and generosity? Let me know.

In the meantime, let me tell you the story of an 11-year-old named Emma and a remarkable moment on her journey of generosity. 

Oh, and yes, Emma is my youngest daughter. 

Emma’s Act of Generosity

Emma is an empath. In a room of 10 people, she can single out the one who is down or discouraged. She never wants anyone to be left out. Inclusion is in her DNA – she is always looking for ways to welcome others into community.

Earlier this year, Emma and her sister were inspired to create Paige and Emma's Patisserie for Freedom – for a solid month, they baked goods and raised funds to fight human trafficking through an organization doing wonderful work called Atlas Free. (If you want the whole story, see “Are we Teaching Generosity to Our Children?”)

That peak experience led to conversations as a family about what it looks like to live lives of generosity. And one of those principles is that generosity brings joy, but generosity is also a discipline – it’s something we can practice on an ongoing basis. As we engage in acts of generosity, we become more generous. 

And one way to practice ongoing generosity is to commit to supporting a cause on an ongoing basis over time.

So you can imagine my delight when Emma told us she wanted to support our local chapter of the Humane Society by setting up a recurring donation. 😊

A little context – as an 11-year-old, Emma’s monthly allowance is $11 a month. She’s decided to give at least 10 percent to causes. She gives to our local place of worship, and has some other causes she wants to support, so she asked me, “Daddy, would it be okay if I gave regularly to a couple of different charities?”

So about a month ago, we sat down, and she went to the local Humane Society website. It was a big moment for her. She filled out the donation form, and when she came to the gift amount section, she typed in “$3” and selected a frequency of “every three months…” 

I held my breath as she went to click “Donate.” As a veteran fundraiser,  I know a lot of forms don’t accept donations under a certain amount. Would they even take a $3/qtr recurring gift?

“Thank you for your gift!” Whew, it was successful. 😅

God bless you, Kitsap Humane Society.

Emma was thrilled.

A few weeks later, she came to me, a look of pride on her face. She had gotten a letter in the mail!

Above: A hand-signed thank you letter for Emma’s act of generosity. It made her day. Well done, Kitsap Humane Society!

I hope they do more to welcome her, let her know about local events, opportunities to engage, but receiving that letter was a bright spot in Emma’s journey of generosity, and a great start (also a good reminder that direct mail still is effective!).

I’m a proud daddy.

💡 Takeaway: Emma’s journey of generosity began with an engaging peak experience, and is developing into a habit – a discipline. How can you lean into cultivating experiences that inspire generosity?

Generosity is Everywhere, If You Look for It

Generosity is a lifestyle. Generosity is a discipline. Generosity breeds joy. And holistic generosity goes far beyond the giving of financial resources.

I love the work I get to do, helping organizations raise more money via sustainable recurring giving.

And yet, deep down, I know that my life’s work is bigger than that. My life’s mission is to inspire holistic generosity. 

Generosity is not either/or – either the giving of financial resources, or the giving of time, talent, and relationships. Generosity is all of the above – giving time, talent, relationships, and giving financially. All are incredibly important and lifegiving. 

Generosity in Community and Connection

I experienced tremendous generosity this week, starting at the AFP ICON convention in Seattle and ending at the CLA Outcomes Conference in Dallas. 

As I write this, my heart is full. Thinking about the connections this week, both new and old, brings tears to my eyes. 

On Tuesday, I posted on LinkedIn about the power of new relationships:

When “Weak Ties” Become “Strong Ties” ❤️

One of my favorite concepts in network theory is the idea of weak ties — those people you know, but not deeply. Acquaintances. Occasional collaborators. LinkedIn connections you admire from afar.

And then something happens. You meet. You talk. You share a moment. And a weak tie becomes a strong one. 💪

That happened again and again this week at #AFPICON — my first ever, after 20 years in fundraising.

I finally met so many people I’d only known through screens, and had the joy of going deeper. Real conversations. Real connection. Real community.

Weak ties are where innovation lies – it’s getting outside yourself, outside your bubble, and you get exposed to different people. Different ideas. Different backgrounds.

Then it was on to Dallas to CLA Outcomes, where I spoke on The Rise of Recurring Giving and celebrated the launch of the book.

Above: Feeling incredibly blessed and celebrated in Dallas by friends and new connections.

Beyond any book launch celebration or speaking opportunity, what blew me away this week was seeing people I’ve known and admired make instant and deep connections with others I know and love. 

To see the number of worlds I inhabit, all colliding in a beautiful way, and to meet so many new people… that was the true joy of generosity in my life this week. 

My heart is full. ❤️

💡 Takeaway: How can you be generous this week? With your connections, with your experience, with your resources. 

Until next week… Surf’s Up! 🌊

  - Dave

About the Author | Dave Raley

Consultant, speaker, and author Dave Raley is the founder of Imago Consulting, a firm that helps nonprofits and businesses who serve nonprofits create profitable growth through sustainable innovation. He’s the author of the book The Rise of Sustainable Giving: How the Subscription Economy is Transforming Recurring Giving, and What Nonprofits Can Do to Benefit. Dave also writes a weekly innovation and leadership column called The Wave Report, and the co-founder of the Purpose & Profit Podcast — a show about the ideas at the intersection of nonprofit causes and for-profit brands. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn.

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