Untraditional Philanthropy

rosetta star was a social entrepreneur way before it was cool. Many of you have asked me of a way to support folks in Western North Carolina hit hard by the storm. Here’s a great one. I have known Rosetta since middle school. She had dyed hair, cool tattoos, and a pet rat named Zelda. She encouraged me to be who I was even before I knew who I was. For more than 20 years she has championed vegetarian and vegan dining in Asheville and has always offered free food, regardless of people’s ability to pay. Simply put, she is the real deal. I have seen her feed the hungry, speak for those whose voices we don’t often hear, and build community… especially during times of crisis like during COVID and now in the aftermath of Helene. Great to see her getting national attention as she pivots her enterprise again to feed the hungry and stay afloat as a small business. I can’t think of a person who better represents Untraditional Philanthropy and our approach. As you think about end-of-year giving consider a donation, link in comments below. https://lnkd.in/eJnHWcfH

MAKE A PLAN It’s Giving Tuesday—and you’re thinking about impact. ?? Donor-Advised Funds (now $230 BILLION strong) are a game-changer for many in the world of philanthropy, but many DAF owners report being unsure how to utilize this giving vehicle most effectively. We are preparing to launch a new?course on DAF’s that will show you how to maximize the power of your gifts, with behind the scenes tips from some of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. Stay tuned for more or sign up for our newsletter via the link in our bio. #GivingTuesday #SmarterGiving #DonorAdvisedFunds #DonorAdvisedFund #DAF

Several of you have asked about how best to support #HurricaneHelene recovery efforts. Please see this personal note from our founder. He is flying home to Western North Carolina today.

We are so thrilled to see two people we respect so much doing good work together and connecting with our next generation of leaders. Congratulations to Paige MacLean and Alex Johnston for all they are doing. And be sure to check out Alex’s new book MONEY WITH MEANING: How To Create Joy And Impact Through Philanthropy.

“I think I was more of an institutionalist while I was at the Center for American Progress (CAP) and I really felt that these systems we had in place were the right systems… but I think that conversation [with Benjamin Olinsky, Center for American Progess] really opened my eyes to the true constitutional crisis that we’re facing right now, and what it is we need to do to hold on to this multiracial constitutional democracy project that we’ve been working on for more than 200 years.” Untraditional Philanthropy Subject Area Expert Jake Faleschini speaks on the Center for American Progress #Changemaker series about the growing need for court reform. You can view the entire interview here: https://lnkd.in/extMPNrE

Choosing a DAF sponsor can be intimidating. Too intimidating. The continued growth of Donor Advised Funds is remarkable, but the?due-diligence associated with choosing the right plan can take a lot of time. That's why we?have compiled an "at a glance" comparison of the four largest DAF sponsors in the United States:?Fidelity Charitable?,?Schwab Charitable,?National Philanthropic Trust, and?Vanguard Charitable. While there are many other DAF sponsors to choose from (and we will be talking more about them in future posts), the stats included here are the ones you might first consider when opening a DAF: your required minimum investment amount, your estimated annual administrative fee, minimum grant size, and the minimum yearly distribution amount (though we hope all of you will go well above this required minimum).?? The "best" plan is whichever one best suits YOUR needs as a donor. If you have any questions about choosing the right sponsor, feel free to drop Untraditional Philanthropy a message, and we will help you come up with a plan. If you would like to learn more about our resources for individuals, families, and corporations related to DAFs--and for the nonprofits wishing to partner with those holding these funds--please sign up for our newsletter here:?(https://lnkd.in/evyYvY8c). The untraditional thing is that we won't email you more than once a quarter.

What is one piece of advice our Founder and CEO, Chandler Arnold, has for philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, and--well--anyone who wants to lead life of impact? Here it is: "Stop comparing yourself to other people." Chandler just dropped two podcasts in which he shares the dangers of comparing yourself to other people and other reflections from his 20-year Stanford MBA reunion.?During the weekend, he kept a notebook at his side and wrote down many thought-provoking quotes and notes from classmates and friends. In this two-episode arc, he shares ten reflections related to his MBA experience and the intervening twenty years. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eRhGmq25

Hi! I'm Chandler Arnold, and I just had a birthday... 49. Damn, this one raises some feelings. And, candidly, the biggest feelings I'm having are around how lucky I am to do work I love with causes I believe in; especially my lifelong passion for the magic of books. This year I am focusing on less talk and more action. I'm also putting my money where my mouth is and matching every dollar donated to Every Child a Reader, up to $2,500. And if you would like to learn more about Every Child a Reader and our work to introduce all children to the magic of books in partnership with the Library of Congress and so many great organizations I would be glad to introduce you to the organization's incredible leader, Carl Lennertz. We are SO close to our goal. I hope you will consider joining us. Plus, focusing on young people is much more fun than worrying about getting older... https://lnkd.in/e-jrWZBw

For those looking for a new role in the impact space, Check out this job at The Aspen Institute: Director of Impact

Today we're highlighting an inspiring social entrepreneur, thought leader, and Untraditional Philanthropy Expert,?Abby Falik for her podcast interview with Slate Magazine! Abby and podcast host?Carvell Wallace shared pieces of their educational?stories' with Leo, a high school senior nearing graduation who is feeling unfulfilled by his education and is curious what alternate paths there are to learning. Abby's newest venture, The Flight School, is predicated on the idea that traditional education must be reimagined -- and new pathways formed -- for future generations of learners… and we think this untraditional thinking represents an idea whose time has come. To learn more about Abby and The Flight School, or our other amazing Untraditional Philanthropy experts, visit our website or sign up for our monthly newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/evyYvY8c. The untraditional thing about that is we will only email you once a quarter.