Are you a seasoned fundraiser, grant maker or philanthropist who is passionate about helping Generation Z become leaders in philanthropy?
Does the opportunity to bring your community a powerful program that prepares high school students for a lifetime appreciation of, and involvement in, philanthropy excite you? The Three Pillars Initiative (TPI) is looking for volunteers to help expand its powerful program of teaching the art, science, and business of philanthropy to the next generation.
Continue reading to hear what former TPI Board Member Risa Davis, TPI graduate/current Board Member Sydney Rayburn, and current TPI Senior Sam Zimberoff have to say about their stunning experiences being a part of TPI.
Are you a seasoned fundraiser, grant maker or philanthropist who is passionate about helping Generation Z become leaders in philanthropy? Do you care deeply about bringing a program to your community designed to prepare high school students for a lifetime understanding of and appreciation for philanthropy? The Three Pillars Initiative (TPI) is looking to recruit a cohort of volunteer Program Champions who will help them expand this vital program.
Below, TPI Founder Rick King talks about why he founded this youth leadership development program. Rick is also the Chairman of Kittleman & Associates, a nonprofit executive search firm based in Chicago.
I’ve always been bothered by the characterization of philanthropists as those who are rich, powerful individuals who give millions to their favorite charities. I strongly prefer to take a much broader perspective, defining philanthropists as people focused on improving our world by contributing any number of resources in lieu of personal wealth.
Reframing the term philanthropist as based on values rather than simply money offers an equal opportunity for everyone to embrace and practice it. As someone who has devoted my professional career to making a difference, I wholeheartedly believe that the sooner we start cultivating a philanthropic mindset in the next generation, the better. That’s why I launched the Three Pillars of Philanthropy model in 2010, starting with 12 high school students in Oak Park, Illinois.
According to their annual report released today, the Giving USA Foundation estimates that total giving reached $358.38 billion in 2014. This surpasses the peak in 2007 before the Great Recession. This is the highest total since the report began in 1974, in both actual dollars and after adjusting for inflation.
Total giving in 2014 saw a 5.4 percent increase from 2013 after adjusting for inflation. In addition, 2014 was the fifth year in a row that giving has risen. These numbers suggest that philanthropic giving has recovered from the decline experienced by many nonprofit organizations brought on by the Great Recession.
“This year’s report details what we’re seeing among our clients. There is a renewed sense of optimism in the field of development, and these numbers confirm that,” says Dean Rein, president and partner of Ter Molen Watkins & Brandt.
