Like all people, I carry many titles. Father, Husband, Brother, Friend, Mentor, President, Co-founder, Retired Executive, Aviation Enthusiast, Hack Golfer, amongst others. Today, I want to focus on one title that seems to make people nervous to adopt these days, Philanthropist. It's odd. How have we gone from celebrating the generosity of everyday people with admiration, respect, and a spirit of unity in shared goals and aspirations, to a wide-spread distrust, resentment and distrust of philanthropists and donors for their charitable activities, which are often characterized as a means of self-aggrandizement or tax evasion.
Look, I understand that philanthropy isn’t perfect. No human system is, and there are those that seek to benefit themselves first above helping society. However, as author Karl Zinsmeister wrote: “The genius of the philanthropic mechanism is that it accepts people just as they are—kind impulses, selfish impulses, confusions and vanities, wishes of all sorts swirling together in the usual human jumble—and helps them do wondrous things, even when they’re not saints.”
I believe that the vast population of people in the world feel the urge to act, giving of their time, talent and resources to support causes that are meaningful to them. The impulse to serve, to give back, and to uplift those around us is deeply ingrained in our human nature. I believe it is harder to consciously and continuously decide not to be charitable than it is to serve. It goes against our very nature as social creatures to look across the landscape of our community and choose to do nothing in the face of any compelling problem.
If you are anything like me, you’ve seen both your inbox and mailbox swell with year-end appeals for nonprofits, large and small (you may have even received something from BPI!) It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the challenges facing our society. For me, it sometimes feels like there is a choir of voices all screaming for help, compelling stories of impact, asking for you to donate, to volunteer, to commit. The pressure!
The incredible truth is that it works! According to CauseVox, nonprofits take in roughly 50% of their donations between October and December. In the Giving USA 2024: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2023, research revealed that individuals donated $557.16 billion in 2023. 97% of donors cite the impact of their gift as their main reason for giving.
Susanne and I founded BPI on the belief that every impactful movement begins with the actions of individuals who choose to act despite the obstacles. What we have seen in the past year makes us believe that there is a huge amount of philanthropic people out there. Donorbox states the national average one-time gift rising to $121and monthly gifts going up to $25. And before you jump to the conclusion that it is all in self-interest to avoid the IRS, in truth, only 56% of donors see tax deductions as a motivator.
I want to thank all the donors, partners, and volunteers that made BPI’s first year an incredible success. I celebrate these individuals, these unsung heroes who choose to contribute not just for personal benefits, but because they genuinely want to impact the world around them. It is humbling and I am so honored to be part of a community committed to helping those in need. The beauty of it lies in the unity of diverse intentions, creating a mosaic of contributions that collectively lead to wondrous outcomes. Each person who has given is a philanthropist, a title I feel they richly embody.
Yes, I am asking you to donate to BPI’s mission to help Colorado’s most vulnerable young people get the education they need to secure a living wage and meaningful career in the skilled trades. Your donation will make a profound difference in their lives, and you are investing in the future of our communities and giving these young adults the chance they deserve. If you feel moved to help us, please click here to donate.
However, regardless of BPI’s goals, I hope you have a cause, or many, that you are passionate about and actively support. Every act of giving, no matter the size, contributes to a greater movement of kindness and generosity. Embrace being a philanthropist, and let’s create a ripple effect of generosity that inspires others to follow suit.
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