|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contacts:
Jennifer Leigh, jen@boldergiving.org, 401-595-9885
Rikk Larsen, rikk@boldergiving.org, 617-633-3606
Bolder Giving Main Office: 781-646-1705
Super Donors Continue Contributions
Despite Economic Woes
Bolder Giving's survey shows committed donors expect to stay the course despite financial climate; say giving is needed now more than ever
ARLINGTON, MA (October 28, 2008) -- Contrary to popular belief, philanthropic donors plan to maintain or even increase their giving this year, despite the downturn in the economy. This is according to Bolder Giving in Extraordinary Times, a national nonprofit initiative committed to inspiring and supporting people to give at their full potential. In an effort to gauge how donors across the country are responding to tough financial times, Bolder Giving sent a survey to 1,300 givers across the country and of all donation levels, from high-net-worth philanthropists to donors of modest means.
Extraordinary givers stay the course
An important group of survey recipients are Bolder Giving's 50% League members. While the natural human reaction to financial crisis is often to watch purchases closely and to give away less, members of the 50% League buck that trend. Some members of the 50% League, who have committed half or more of their net worth, their business profits, or their income for three years or more to causes of their choice, are advocating that in uncertain times it is critical to continue to support struggling nonprofits.
David Ludlow, a 50% League member, says of his giving in these challenging times: "Watching people suffer now has strengthened my resolve to do whatever I can do."
Among the 50% League members who responded to the survey, 68% said that they expect to maintain their levels of giving this fall, while 18% expect to actually increase their donations. Only one 50% League member out of those who responded said his donations would decline.
And this attitude is not just found among the super wealthy. Pilar Gonzales, an advisor to executives and philanthropists, who donates 30-50% of her income annually whether her income is high or low, says, "My moral compass was given to me by my family, and I will always follow it. Sometimes it leads me to see what I can do for others in our country's time of economic need; sometimes for people in the global community. This year, especially, I will do the math after each paycheck, and share what I have left, because philanthropy is a necessary partner to our American economy."
Committed "ordinary" givers hold strong
In addition to the 50% League members, the larger pool of donors who responded the survey showed similar results: a majority of respondents said they would stay the course in their giving, despite the shaky economy. Of respondents, 52% will stay the same in their giving, 21% will increase their giving and 17% will decrease their giving.
Heather Gee, a nonprofit staff person who filled out Bolder Giving's survey, says of her giving in these uncertain times: "I plan to follow through on the commitments I have made to various groups that need my support. Now, more than ever, nonprofits will fill a critical role in providing for people during these tough times. I see this as a prime opportunity for my donations to truly make a difference."
National philanthropy leaders speak up
Christopher and Anne Ellinger, co-founders of Bolder Giving, believe that the concept of giving courageously, even during times of financial unease, is one of the reasons they started this initiative. Says Anne Ellinger, "We encourage those of us who are affluent to take a clear look at what we need and use what is discretionary to make a significant difference in the world. Even with reduced assets, many of us still have resources we can commit to causes we are passionate about. We can give boldly and still take good care of ourselves. We don't need to buy into the fear."
Tracy Gary of Inspired Legacies, a partner organization with Bolder Giving and a member of the 50% League, says, "Now is the time for full use of our resourcefulness: our courage capital, our wisdom capital, our creative capital and our influence and financial capital. Let us consider the return on investment in the nonprofit sector as we support our communities and families through hard times. Giving in all forms now is key to the new paradigm and culture we are co-creating. Giving more boldly and more strategically is essential."
The Ellingers and Ms. Gary are nationally-known authors, speakers, and counselors on issues of wealth and philanthropy who have been working in the philanthropic field for over 25 years.
Bolder Givers available for interview
In addition to those mentioned above, several Bolder Givers, listed below, are available for media interviews, and can be selected geographically or demographically to fit your needs. Their inspiring stories, as well as recent presentations and additional media information, can be found at www.boldergiving.org.
50% League Members available for interview:
HENRY BROMELKAMP: Minneapolis, MN
With the success of his software company, Henry delights in maximizing benefits to employees as well as giving half his income to charity, especially to homelessness and literacy projects in Minnesota and in Africa.
RUTH ANN HARNISCH: New York, NY
Ruth Ann is a journalist turned major philanthropist after marrying Wall Street multi-millionaire, giving $1,000,000 to one organization and establishing the Harnisch Family Foundation.
HARRY SAAL: Palo Alto, CA
Upon the public purchase of his technology company, Harry has been giving well over 100% of his income for over 15 years.
RICHARD SEMMLER: Annandale, VA
Richard is a middle-class community college professor works three jobs to
give away more than 50% of his income to build houses for Habitat For
Humanity, to fund scholarships for students, and to provide meals for
the homeless at a soup kitchen in Washington, DC.
DAVID LUDLOW: Jamaica Plain, MA
Upon sudden inheritance, David devoted his time and money to found Social Justice Education, a nonprofit organization focused on "liberation education" and youth organizing in Boston.
VALERIE JACOBS: San Diego, CA
Inspired by her father, who will eventually give 90% of his wealth away through their family foundation, Valerie and her husband founded their own family foundation in hopes of following in her father's footsteps.
MICHAEL SCHAEFER: Seattle, WA
After the death of his life partner Ric Weiland, one of the founders of Microsoft, Mike continued along the carefully planned giving course that the two had defined, which included investing millions of dollars into both low- and high-risk initiatives.
MIKE HANNIGAN: Berkeley, CA
His office products company, Give Something Back, is modeled on Paul Newman's company, and donates more than half its profits to community groups. Over the past 17 years GSB has given almost $4 million to charities voted on by customers and employees. Hannigan's company has been honored by Paul Newman, John Kennedy, Jr., Marian Wright Edelman, and other luminaries, and partnered with Newman's Own for several years on a Bay Area community service award.
Bolder Givers available for interview:
VARDEN HADFIELD: Orem, Utah
Varden is a major gifts fundraiser who also gives about 15% of his income each year to charitable organizations, making an effort to involve his young children in giving decisions and learning gratitude.
CHARLES MACLEAN, PhD: Portland, Oregon
Donor advocate, Charles is focused on coaching financial advisors in the skills and tools essential to rebuild trust, better serve and retain clients by
putting their emotional healing needs first. After economic trauma and
financial loss, taking time for forgiveness and providing realistic
hope are essential not optional.
LEEANN GARMS: Corona Del Mar, CA
In addition to monetary contributions, Leeann is an avid fundraiser and individual volunteer with a mission to inspire others to find their own inner Bolder Giving.
BETTY AND CORKEY CUSTER: Madison, WI
In addition to their philanthropic giving, the couple have been working in the financial planning profession for over 36 years as both owners of their own financial planning practice, Custer Financial Services, and as senior managers for several nationwide firms. Their donations go beyond financial support to include leading fundraising campaigns for non-profits and serving as models for clients wishing to establish philanthropic traditions of their own.
About Bolder Giving
Bolder Giving is a national nonprofit initiative launched in May 2007 and based near Boston, Massachusetts. Bolder Giving inspires and supports people to give at their full potential, whether they are high-net-worth donors or people who stretch to give. Bolder Giving seeks to raise the bar on giving by promoting the stories of people who give 5%, 25%, 50%, and even 90% - all far beyond the national norm of giving 2-3% of annual income.
Its founders are Anne and Christopher Ellinger, nationally-recognized writers, counselors, workshop presenters, and organizers on issues of wealth and philanthropy. Previous to Bolder Giving, The Ellingers wrote the American Book Award winning book We Gave Away a Fortune and founded More than Money, a national network exploring money and values.
 
Anne and Christopher Ellinger
co-founders, Bolder Giving in Extraordinary Times
781.646.1705 x2
BolderGiving.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|