"We have to move and change ourselves and how our families and foundations are giving. We must seriously consider our commitment to justice during these times. This is no game for those of us who have privilege or are overly wealthy. This will require reallocations of our priorities and spending and connectivity. If we aren't going to have a tax system that creates greater equality then we have to apply greater pressures and rigor ourselves and to each other as peers to do the right thing."

"Stop squandering valuable resources that can create true opportunity or save lives for the 20% of the world and our communities in great poverty! This is nuts. We've got to stop wasting time and resources. Say YES more than NO. We have become the NO class. This is an emergency for everyone around us. May we wake up with grace and step up and keep evolving, each of us, now. I invite you to really GIVE WITH HEART or change the system that is supposed to be creating democracy for all."
~ Tracy Gary, Founder, Inspired Legacies

VIEW FROM THE FOUNDER

Happy Spring. We've been so busy with the move of our main office back to No CA, last Fall, that our Winter Newsletter has now rolled up to Spring's as the seasons merge as well.

We still have clients and part of our team in Texas so rest assured we are still available to work with clients and to do speaking all over the country and globe Here you will see some of what we have planned and are connected to.

Take a special look at 6 news flashes

1. Celebrate 30+ years of Donor Education and Organizing-Join us!
We are having both a reunion for the 25 years of work with Resourceful Women and having programs for donors and advisors as well. Check this program out and join over 40 enrollees for Part II. Register by April 7th or asap to assure space at Westerbeke Ranch, Sonoma, CA. Part 1 is by invitation only for women/founding members. Part II includes men and women whose primary nonprofit identity is as a donor or foundation trustee. Inspired Legacies has invited some of our own trusted advisors to spark movement by us all. We have less than 11 slots open. Join us for a leadership breakthrough AND progressive, thoughtful, community. Click below for info, or find the links on our website on the upper right.
Click here for more Westerbeke Ranch information, the program and the online secure registration form.

2. Take out an AD to celebrate our work and support a new publication to be out May 25th we are doing showcasing over 25 TRUSTED ADVISORS for the Next Generation.
This will go to 50,000 donors and advisors over time. Be one of only 50 ads at very reasonable prices. Deadline for reservations is April 14th, deadline for AD copy is April 25th.
    • AD Space Invitation letter
    • AD Space Samples (*.pdf format)
    • AD Space Reservation Form
    • AD Space Reservation Form (*.pdf format)

3. Joanne Reich was interviewed in December just before her term as Board Chair was up. She speaks about worker's rights and important work for all of to consider for economic justice. We thank Joanne for her years of amazing service. She remains an advisor in our efforts. We are honored to welcome Jean Russell as the Chair of our board and Heather Gee as a new board member. See interview here

4. See worker justice organizations to fund under Making Change Happen

5. Donate to some of our Tipping Point Network projects

6. If you are in the Bay Area, attend the six-month leadership powerful training for philanthropists headed by one of our Associates that we are working to learn from.

May the true joy of giving be with you,

Tracy Gary, Director, Inspired Legacies
415.377.9447 cell
Inspired Legacies
40 Redwood Drive
Ross, CA 94957
Tracy@inspiredlegacies.org

Tracy: Joanne, you have been on our IL Board and a wonderful leader as it's Chair during these challenging times. We want to thank you for all you do for us and the world. I know you have also been involved in worker justice. Can you share why that work matters so much now?

Joanne: Thank you Tracy, in additional to Inspired Legacies, I have also served on the board of Interfaith Worker Justice. They bring members of the faith community hand in hand with workers around the country. Right now workers are and have been underemployed or unemployed at rates not seen since the Great Depression. And how this impacts individuals then goes on to impact families and communities in aggregate. It also leads to increases in foreclosures, homelessness, crime, and despair. Especially hard hit are particular cities and regions already on the brink of disaster and specifically youth, African Americans, and Latinos.

In these tough times, now more than ever, businesses are cutting corners. This means not paying the final paycheck or being responsible to employees. These people can fall through the cracks because of power dynamics and lack of a voice, resulting in homelessness and despondency. Which we then must address in other ways together, often at a higher expense both economically and to a personal sense of self-worth. Give workers a fair wage and support responsible businesses as part of your social change strategy.

Tracy: What guidance would you give our donors and clients about what more we can each do throughout the year to assure that worker's are paid and employed fairly?

Joanne: My main thoughts, lets be mindful of the workers and continue to advocate that all will be paid a livable wage. As we eat out this Spring time - try to make choices to eat in locations where you know that the staff are treated fairly and being paid their due wages. Become familiar with terms such as Wage Theft and organizations like the Department of Labor to learn how to report concerns www.dol.gov or get connected with your local worker center. Start a book club discussing Kim Bobo's book "Wage Theft" and use some of the congregational resources available through www.iwj.org. Another great and useful website is http://www.canmybossdothat.com/.

Tracy: Thank you Joanne. Our tables and gifts shared are often overabundant. Workers need our support now and for us to extend our dream-making and share of gifts and donations to their tables and their fair wages.

See our Resource Section for more info on what workers are doing, and how to best support them.

INSPIRED PARTNERSHIPS

Namaste Global Vision is producing a number of pilot programs to shift leadership and consciousness for philanthropists and animal stewards. We think their approach is remarkable. Check them out and join their six month training. While this is not a formal partnership, we are supporters and collaborators and believe that co-founders, and trainers, Karla Boyd and Art Parfitt are on to breakthrough work.
www.namasteglobalvision.com

Inspired Legacies seeks YOUR partnership and support. Buy an Ad.
We don't often ask for ourselves, but we DO want to ask you to consider buying a tribute or ad in celebration of our 30 plus years at this important work. While we don't want you to honor us directly, we ask you to publicize your own work while honoring your favorite nonprofit or leader with some one line such as "in honor of xyz organization." (or movement) Your financial support by getting an ad or making a donation this month, gets this new publication out AND celebrates others, and brings us dollars to operate and keep making change. Thank you.
Click image for more information

See #2 above for more info but here's summary: We have a great booklet featuring over 25 next generation advisors which will be the content around our ads and we commit to wide distribution. Ads are $100 for biz card,-$250-$500-$1000 full page $1250 for the covers and all sizes in between and our web maven, Lucille Design, can design something for you in a jiffy at a very reasonable cost. Just reserve by April 14 and get your ad and payment to us not later than by April 25.
AD Space Reservation Form Online and secure form.

GRATITUDES AND TRANSITIONS

Thank you so much Joanne Reich and Stan McDonald our other board member whose board service term is completed.

We are so grateful to you each for your service to us and the world.

Alan Slifka, a prominent New York investment manager and philanthropist died February 4, 2011 at home after a battle with cancer.

Alan left to us all a powerful legacy of coexistence and the spirit of joy in pressing for justice. He founded the Alan B. Slifka Foundation through which he impacted his love for Israel and his commitment to Jewish life and coexistence. He served the mission of Tikun Olam with reverence and panache. In 1989, he co-founded The Abraham Fund Initiatives, which was the first not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to further coexistence between Israel's Jewish and Arab citizens.

His last years were extended in part, by the sharing of a kidney by Sarah Stranahan, a beloved and younger Threshold Foundation member. This is the kind of care, commitment and spirit of sharing, that Alan sparked.

He was a man of great passions and playfulness, and had a twinkle in his eye that made all things seem possible. May we carry forward his inspired legacy: Reaching for the seemingly impossible with the spirit of faith, a commitment to justice, deeper coexistence and generosity, love of the circus, and peace for all beings.