Bolder Giving Newsletter: Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and some Michigan Methodists

Imagine this:  you're sitting at your desk, the phone rings, and the

From the tiny acorn grows...

person on the other end says, "Hi. I'm from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and we love your work."  (As I explain to friends outside the nonprofit world, it's like being an unknown author and Oprah Winfrey calling to say she's chosen your novel for her "Book of the Month" club.)

That's essentially what happened to us at Bolder Giving.  Within six weeks of that first call, we received a significant, three-year matching grant from the Gates Foundation that will enable us to propel our work to a new level.

And that's not the end of the story.  Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet have launched a Giving Pledge that invites their fellow  billionaires to publicly commit to give at least half their wealth, and we're told that Bolder Giving's work played a role in encouraging them!  Honestly, that was one of our most outrageous and hoped-for dreams when we launched the project! 

See Melinda Gates mention our work in relation to the Giving Pledge on the Charlie Rose Show, and Patty Stonesifer (Special Advisor to the Gates Foundation Trustees) explain in the Chronicle of Philanthropy how Bolder Giving influenced their view of what's possible.

Please join next Thursday's Bold Conversation Join us on Thurs. July 29th at noon eastern time for a free teleconference about "how much is enough?" and the role of faith in bold giving. We'll be interviewing Jill Warren (UMC of Bloomfield Hills) from Michigan.  Jill and her minister husband regularly give  30-60% of their modest income to reproductive rights, peace action, hunger and housing.  She's an inspiring example of a financially "ordinary person" whose bold giving is extraordinary. Register now.   If you work with donors...Please invite them to join the above call with Jill, and to check out our free teleconference series, Bold Conversations. Your donors will be inspired to talk with remarkable givers and to learn from experienced peers.  You can hear from these same Bold Givers through monthly online chats we cosponsor with the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Help Spread the Bolder Giving Challenge    It's great news that billionaires are signing The Giving Pledge and committing to give at least half their wealth.  But not just billionaires can be bold! Bolder Giving has a pledge for the rest of us:  the Bolder Giving Challenge.  If you haven't yet, please click on the link above and take it!   Why sign? 1. You'll get to explore three key ways to become bolder in your giving. 2. You'll get support to achieve YOUR specific next steps as a giver. 3. You'll be counted as an advocate of bold giving. Envision the potential impact.  We loved this piece in Tactical Philanthropy that showed the far greater potential impact of a millionaires' (as opposed to billionaires') giving challenge.  Imagine the power for change that could be generated if significant numbers of people from across the economic spectrum were inspired to give more boldly! Please help us reach 500 signers by Aug 15th.  Join us as a Challenge Ambassador.  We're holding free interactive teleconferences every Tuesday at noon to walk you through the Challenge and talk about ways to offer it to your friends, family, colleagues, donors, members and clients.

Thank you, friends and colleagues, for all you do for the world. Anne Ellinger, founder Bolder Giving 781-646-1705   About Bolder Giving Bolder Giving inspires and supports people to give at their full potential.  Launched in May 2007, Bolder Giving is a national initiative that publicizes the stories of extraordinary givers and offers publications, individual coaching, presentations for donors and advisors, and a new interactive website as tools to take action.  A tax-exempt 501(c)(3) soon to be headquartered in New York City,  we welcome your ideas, volunteer energy, and financial support. Stay on top of the latest news, events and announcements from Bolder Giving by joining our Facebook page or following on Twitter.

Posted in: Bolder Giving,Jill Warren,stewardship,UMC of Bloomfield Hills