The Generosity Plan

[Brittany Ashby]

The Generosity Plan

By: Kathy LeMay and Brittany Ashby

Do what you can, with what you have, and where you are, is something Teddy Roosevelt once said, and it’s how we think of philanthropy.

You don’t have to be Bill Gates or Warren Buffet. You don’t need to have billions to make a difference. Instead, it’s simply accepting the philanthropic mindset.

Raising Change, LLC was created on that basic principal. Founder Kathy LeMay firmly believes that everyone has the ability and obligation to institute change. Everyone can contribute, whether that is with your time, treasure, talent, heart or spirit. It is with this mentality that Kathy wrote The Generosity Plan. Philanthropy isn’t just about donating money and sitting on boards. It’s about being passionate about something. It’s a lifestyle. A lifestyle of generosity.

It’s this change of connecting philanthropy to generosity that we have found to be invaluable. The term “philanthropist” may seem out of reach. Just beyond reasonable grasp. Maybe it seems reasonable to be a contributor to society, to be a person who gives back, but when it comes to thinking of yourself as actively involved in philanthropy – well that seems like a stretch.

Now replace “philanthropy” with “generosity.” Is the impression still the same? Does it seem so far out of reach? Maybe it’s more attainable. Maybe it’s more reasonable. Yet, in the end, aren’t they exactly the same thing? After all, philanthropy is defined as goodwill to fellow members of the human race. Sounds oddly similar to generosity, doesn’t it?

Raising Change works with individuals to help you realize that most likely, you’re already a philanthropist. Most likely in some way you’ve already kindly given your time, treasure, or talent to another person. You’ve already shown goodwill to a fellow member of the human race. The key next step is identifying how to make those acts of kindness something bigger and to channel it towards something you’re truly passionate about.

It’s finding that cause – that thing that nags at you while you try to fall asleep or that greets your thoughts when your alarm goes off in the early morning – that is crucial. There are a myriad number of great organizations and causes out there to be involved in and to contribute to. No doubt all of them could use your time, treasure and talent. But what is more important to YOU? What is something that you could dive into, fully immerse yourself in? Or, is there a place you’d like to dip your toe? What is something that at the end of the day when you’re trying to fall asleep you can think: Not only was I generous today, I was a philanthropist. I did what I could, with what I had, where I was. Today, I made a difference.

If you need a jumpstart – here are three ideas of things you could do to make a difference:

1. Go back to your giving roots. Take a moment to think of the following: "What was the most generous act I've witnessed in my life?" This act could have happened when you were young. It could have happened yesterday. Think of something you witnessed. The person being generous didn't want credit. They didn't do what they did to get thanked. They did what they did because it was the right thing to do. Reflect on this. Now ask yourself: "What impact did this have on me today?"; "How did this influence and inform my giving back?" Recall something you've done that's like this. Know that this continuity in your life is the definition of philanthropy. 

2. Ask yourself: What breaks my heart? Kathy LeMay first heard this years ago from spiritual author and teacher, Andrew Harvey, and it helped her become a focused and effective social change agent. When you answer this question you will know what is sacred to you. It may not be a popular cause or the cause de celebre. It may surprise you. It may make perfect sense. Mostly it will help focus you and help you align your values with your action.

3. Complete the following statement: "If I were in charge of the world, the first thing I would do tomorrow would be....". What did you write? Besides you, does anyone in your life know this is a passion for you? Start sharing it with friends, family, colleagues. Passion becomes action when you put it out into the world. After you name it out loud at least five times, the opportunities to do something about it will begin to present themselves to you.

Kathy LeMay is the founder, president, and CEO of Raising Change, LLC which helps organizations raise capital to advance social change agendas and individuals create Generosity Plans to identify their highest values to live and lead a generous life. Kathy has been a social change fundraiser for 15 years, raising more than $150 million dollars in the fields of women's human rights, hunger and poverty relief,
and movement-building.

Brittany Ashby is the Director of Expansive Generosity at Raising Change, LLC. Brittany focuses on creating Generosity Plans with individuals as well as forming partnerships with organizations that have like-minded goals of encouraging people to do what they can, with what they have, where they are.