I inherited over half a million dollars in my early twenties, and donated 2/3rds of this to nuclear freeze and peace campaigns. At the age of fifty, I received a trust distribution and made my largest single gift of $105,000 to the Peace Development Fund. My whole adult life I have worked for peace: committing money and time.
My strong desire to give came from travelling in economically developing countries with rich spiritual philosophies of sharing and caring, Mexico, Central and South America, Northern Africa, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and India. During ten months in India, I was deeply inspired by meeting spiritual and political leaders, Vinoba Bhaave and Hindu saint Anandamayi Ma. Vinoba had worked with Mahatma Gandhi. After Gandhi’s death he walked across India collecting voluntary pledges of million of acres of land from the wealthy to give to poor people. Seeing not only great need but also great generosity and love impelled me to live my life for the greater good.
I attend Quaker meeting and support the building of Peace Pagodas in the U.S. and around the world. I was a founding member of the Threshold Foundation, and I serve as a trustee on both our family foundations, one founded by my grandparents and the other by my parents. I am always working to positively and progressively influence our grant making process and our investment portfolios.
I would encourage other families to support the generosity of the next generation and encourage responsible stewardship. I am proud to have worked with my family across differences and flow money out into the community. Money is like water. Locked in one place it becomes stagnant and toxic; when it flows it is fresh and nourishes life. | 40 to 59 Years Old | Under $1M | at least 50% | Inheritance | | International | Peace | Fairness | Passion | Simplicity |
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