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The beauty of the word cannot be realized fully until it is taken into one's heart and practiced on a daily basis. Through events in my personal life over several years, and through the wonderful example of many people brought into my life, I discovered long ago the true meaning and love of philanthropy. I remember vividly just as it happened yesterday, a conversation I had with an extremely wealthy man. The elderly wealthy gentleman sat across a table from me and taught me one of the greatest lessons in life. I queried him regarding his philosophy in life and we began to discuss giving to others - a concept very foreign to me at the time. I asked him what the word philanthropy meant. He paused, looked at me, and said, "The word philanthropy means the love of mankind. There is no greater calling than to invest oneself into the lives of others, for in the end, it is only people that last." He questioned me regarding my lack of desire and purpose in life as found in my lack of caring for and bringing hope to others. "In the act of giving to those around us", he said, "we extend nothing short of hope, and hope is the greatest gift that we can give." This exchange changed my life forever. My love of classical music meets with great examples of philanthropists among the great composers. One of my favorite composers, Mozart, was a man of intrinsic generosity. When a fellow composer fell ill and was unable to fulfill a commission thereby endangering his salary, Mozart completed the work by his friend's bedside, taking no credit for his composition. Another time, Mozart was accosted by a beggar from the streets of Vienna. Having no money to give, Mozart took him to a coffee house, quickly wrote down an entire Minuet and Trio, gave them to the man with a letter, and sent him to his publisher. The astonished panhandler soon possessed five guineas - and much hope. Another composer, George Frederic Handel, best known for his Messiah, was a man who practiced philanthropy on a profound scale. Handel personally conducted more than thirty performances of his beloved Messiah and did so at no charge in support of others in need. |
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Many of these concerts were benefits for the Foundling Hospital, of which Handel was a major benefactor. The enormous sum raised through these performances to aid the sick led one biographer of Handel to note: "Messiah has fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and fostered the orphan more than any other single musical production in this or any other country." Another wrote, "Perhaps the work of no other composer has so largely contributed to the relief of human suffering." Handel was known for his universal generosity and concern for those who suffered and he donated freely to charities even in times when he faced personal financial ruin. No wonder over 3,000 people attended his funeral when he was buried at Westminster Abbey. More than anything, my philosophy of philanthropy is found in giving to people and developing close relationships with select nonprofit organizations whose philosophy of fundraising is found in the raising of friends first, funds second. It is through these close alliances with these select non-profits that I am able to facilitate my personal giving insured through the organization's integrity that my investment will be handled with integrity, good stewardship principles, and used so as to enhance the relevance of the vision and mission at hand. After having worked with boards, chief executive officers, development officers, and major donors across the US and overseas, I have come to ascertain some basic principles that are essential to sound governance in the nonprofit organization. I am often asked for my thought and opinion with respect to the methods and principles of fundraising and development as a whole, that I created this section to provide easily to any who wish to know, some of what forms my personal philosophy of fund raising and what it is I look for within nonprofit organizations to which I am in consideration of making a gift. I suppose what is important to me is not what will my legacy be but rather, who will my legacy be. I live my life with a heartfelt commitment that ultimately my calling is to serve those around me, especially the sick and uneducated child. I wish not to be remembered for what I had. I wish to be remembered for what I gave. |