Learn more about Philanthropy

You Get What You Give:
Perspectives for a New Generation of Philanthropy

On college campuses across the country, spring brings a traditional rite of passage – commencement ceremonies for a new class of graduates preparing to embark on the next stage of their lives. A transition into professional life, establishing financial freedom (or, so their parents hope), and ideally, pursuing passions and discovering what defines personal success.

As these new recruits to the working world cross the stage to accept their diplomas, undoubtedly they’re brimming with mixed emotions: excitement, anxiety and trepidation. These new graduates face the daunting proposition of starting a career in a whirlwind of financial crisis, the worst this country has experienced since the Great Depression. Despite this fact, commencement speeches remain optimistic, filled with clichés and sage advice.

Present and pervasive, philanthropy is often a major theme within these speeches. But once the caps and gowns come off and student loan bills arrive in the mail, the reality of our nation’s current economic doldrums sinks in… making philanthropy a small priority for many.

Americans are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their levels of giving. According to “The Effect of the Economy on the Nonprofit Sector,” published by Guidestar, a research and information firm for the non-profit sector, 52% of the nearly 3,000 public charities and private foundations surveyed experienced a decrease in contributions during the period from October 2008 to March 2009. Conversely, 59% reported an increased demand for their services. The economic strain has exacerbated the burden on state and local resources such as healthcare, education and youth services, making local non-profits and community services even more vital.

So, what are the risks and benefits of giving in a down economy? Channel Magazine asked Elaine Bonneau, a marketing and communications consultant by profession and a dedicated community volunteer and donor by passion, to share her perspectives on philanthropy.

Ms. Bonneau is an active member of the board of directors for several local and national non-profits, including Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, Red Cross of Central Maryland and U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur Education. She’s also been known to roll up her sleeves and volunteer at community events, festivals and health fairs.

Channel Magazine: How do you define philanthropy?

Elaine Bonneau: For many years, I perceived philanthropy as the benevolence of the rich. Wealthy individuals like Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and Dale Carnegie who made multi-million dollar gifts to charitable organizations and foundations for specific social or public health agendas. I guess that perception still persists in some ways. My parents were always philanthropic, but in a grassroots, localized way. I don’t think of myself as a “philanthropist” as much as a “community advocate.” Philanthropy is not just about giving dollars. It’s about making the commitment of any number of resources – time, money, talent, mentorship, advocacy, sweat equity, whatever you have to offer – for the benefit of an organization or cause you feel strongly about and to which you feel personally connected.

CM: What advice would you give to people who believe philanthropy is an endeavor of the wealthy?

EB: My first piece of advice would be to re-evaluate your definition of philanthropy. Most people are philanthropic is some way, whether they realize it or not. Maybe your neighbor’s son is trying to raise money to go on a school trip, so you spend $50 to support his fundraiser. Or you donate clothing and furniture to your local Salvation Army donation center. Those funds support programs and services.

Some people are philanthropic in more direct ways, too. Maybe a family in your church needs extra money to cover unexpected medical bills, so you make a donation. That’s philanthropy. When you give something of value for the betterment of the receiver without the expectation of anything in return, that’s philanthropy. We just tend to call it “generosity.” Believe me, I can say with a high degree of certainty that I’m probably not at the top of the major donor list for any of the organizations I support, but I believe that the total value of the resources I bring – monetary and otherwise – are significant.

CM: What drives people to give?

EB: I believe the driving force is compassion. The Dalai Lama said, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” I believe this is true. It’s also about creating a legacy and the hope that you can make an impact on lives in your own personal way. What I’ve found most surprising is that giving, volunteering and community involvement are so rewarding they become addictive. You find yourself wanting to do more and give more, not only because of the impact it has on the organization, but because it’s personally enriching. Frank Miller, the Executive Director at the Central Maryland chapter of Red Cross calls it the “Passion for Compassion.” I love that…. “Passion for Compassion.”

CM: Do you remember the first charitable donation you ever made?

EB: Actually, I do. Well, it’s the first I can remember anyway. When I was in high school, I saw a commercial on television about sponsoring a child through the Christian Children’s Fund. I hesitated to call at first. I think that was the first time I felt the weight of caring for and being responsible for someone else’s well-being. I’m the youngest of six children, so everyone always took care of me. I also realized that this was a financial commitment with no set end date. It was a real financial commitment that I had to plan for each month. I also remember being astonished at how far a mere $25 could stretch and the impact it would have for this family. I remember feeling guilty about wasting money after that. But when I received letters about school books and supplies that were purchased with my donation or a report that my gift allowed the family to purchase food or livestock to sustain their family I felt really good.

CM: What advice would you give to young professionals and the next generation of philanthropists, or anyone who is embarking on a new commitment to philanthropy about prioritizing their giving?

EB: I learned a valuable lesson not too long ago. One of my mentors saw that I had begun to spread myself too thin, volunteering for much more than I could realistically handle. I had good intentions. There are a lot of extraordinary organizations out there that do incredible, transformative work. Who wouldn’t want to support them? But, let’s be honest, none of us can be all things to all people. Good intentions or not, it’s just impossible. My friend and mentor suggested that I write my own vision and mission statement. Write down my core values, what’s important to me. What are my personal goals for the next 3-5 years, and plan my giving goals around those goals. My recommendation would be this: it doesn’t matter how much you give or whether your cause is breast cancer awareness and prevention, domestic violence intervention or animal rights, as long as you’re committed to something. And remember, your current circumstances do not define the possibilities of the future. Do what you can when you can. That’s what matters.

CM: So, what are some of those personal goals and values that help you guide your giving decisions?

EB: My mom was a teacher, so I was taught from very young to value education. I also grew up in a family and community where I was always supported and nurtured by mentors who provided strong leadership and role models. I place high priority on the value of education and mentorship and I look for organizations and opportunities to support these endeavors that I believe a fundamentally important to individual development and success. With the right foundation, any child can thrive. Being an African American woman, I also look for organizations that support inclusion, diversity and equitable access to resources.

CM: Recent studies, such as the Guidestar report reveal that charitable donations are down, yet, demand for services have increased. What do you see as the potential long-term impact of not giving?

EB: I’ve learned first-hand that the long-term effects of not supporting nonprofits and charitable organizations can be detrimental not just for individuals but entire communities… for our nation, really. Many of our nonprofits compose the social infrastructure vital to maintaining healthy communities and families. For example, the Red Cross of Central Maryland has nearly 2,000 trained volunteers. That training requires funding. Many of these volunteers are the people you hear about on the news who respond to home fires and natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. When you see reports of an apartment fire that resulted in the burn out of several units, leaving families homeless, more often than not, you’ll see Red Cross volunteers on the scene, sometimes at two or three in the morning, counseling families and tending to their needs for food and shelter. It’s about neighbor helping neighbor, which is a natural and very human inclination. And most of us, when given the chance, would help a neighbor in need, like helping that family in your neighborhood with unforeseen medical expenses. I don’t discourage that; however, I would encourage people to look at it in another way – making a direct donation to an individual will help that individual in that particular instance, but making that same donation to a well-structured nonprofit whose mission is to support families in times of crises not only ensures that the help will be there for your neighbor, but for others in the community for generations to come. Organized, targeted philanthropy, in my opinion, is the way best way to do the most good and ensure that the benefits of these vital programs and services will be here for future generations. In philanthropy you don’t just “get what you give,” so to speak. What we receive as a collective community is exponentially greater than what we give as an individual. It’s about investing in a legacy.