Dear Girlfriends,

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
Norman MacEwan

If there's one thing we all have in common - regardless of age, income, or profession - it is that we are all spread too thin when it comes to time and money. Especially when it comes to investing our volunteer time or our cash in organizations and charities.

Women are hard-wired to care deeply, and we are inspired to bring about change for our children and grandchildren. But our problem is that we often take our passions and spread them too thin - making little difference to any one cause. Or worse, we fail to invest in the programs we care about the most. I know, because my charitable giving is spread too thin.

A few weeks ago, as the guest of my financial adviser Carol Meyer, I attended an event called The Power of the Purse, sponsored by The Dallas Women's Foundation and under-written by Merrill Lynch. The topic: women in philanthropy.

This event was an eye-opener for me, as I realized my giving was often more what one presenter called an "honored obligation" rather than a "passionate investment" to create change.

There were several important questions and topics that were discussed throughout the event that I think are key to helping us first, prioritize our giving investments - both time and money - and then, to feel empowered to track the results of those gifts. Questions like:
• What bothers you?
• Are you giving to organizations that can bring about change to those issues that concern you the most?
• What do you want to see changed in your lifetime?
• Can the organization, given time and money, effect the change?
• What are your passions?
• Can you link your passion to what bothers you?
• What questions do you ask to determine if the charity will be a good steward of your gift?
• Once you've invested, how do you ensure they are managing their resources well?
• How do they measure the results of the services they deliver and how often are these results communicated to you?
• How do you properly shift your gifts when your concerns change or evolve over time?

The concept of "checkbook" philanthropy - writing lots of small checks without having a deep concern for the cause - was raised by more than one speaker, and gave me the opportunity to consider as much about why I give as how I give.

As we've explored over the past several weeks, we can't be all things to all people and when we try, we fail to be important to anyone. I believe the same holds true of our charitable giving. If your time and money are spread too thin, too - determine if you're "passionately investing" in those charities that can bring about change. I bet this is going to make our giving so much sweeter!

Give and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Luke 6:38

Thank you so much for allowing me to chill out with you. I'm feeling much better now, and I haven't had a meltdown in weeks!

Spread just right,
Ellen

Posted by Ellen on May 22, 2007 1:56 PM  |  Category: Spread Too Thin