OOTC: Civic Philanthropy
Back in the Office of the Citizen, L. Joy has one last lesson for us. Today she is discussing civic philanthropy. Philanthropy, L. Joy stresses, does not belong to only wealthy individuals, large foundations, and corporations. It also is more than just charitable giving. What is it? A system that determines who receives resources, whose ideas get funded, and what community projects get to grow. To break down how philanthropy is a civic action, L. Joy brings Margarethe Laurenzi and Dwane Ashley to the front of the class.
Margarethe Laurenzi, Executive Director of the Maher Charitable Foundation, and L. Joy discuss how philanthropy is tied to power which influences civic life. They break down how building trust through relationships and creating access needs to be an intentional strategy. Margarethe shares how with that strategy they are advancing civic learning and engagement with a non-partisan coalition of individuals and organizations in New Jersey through CivicsNJ.
In his conversation with L. Joy, Dwayne Ashley, Founder and CEO of Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, states that individual donors are the largest source of charitable giving. He wants ordinary people, working people, congregations, families, and communities to understand that their, as L. Joy says, “time, talent, and treasure” as well as their knowledge are extremely valuable resources. Dwayne stresses that every contribution to a church, neighborhood organization, mutual-aid, community institution, and even family members is a large part of traditional giving.
Both of L. Joy’s conversations ask our listeners to recognize themselves as philanthropists and resource builders because democracy isn’t sustained at the ballot box alone.
Do Now
Think about your role as a philanthropist and resource builder.
What people, causes, or organizations do you support, and why?
Are you responding only to immediate crises, or also supporting the long-term work of change?
Do the organizations you support have the capacity to build community power?
Could you strengthen their work by connecting them to people, resources, relationships, or other opportunities?