Inspired Stories: Newsletter Volume 14, Fall 2009

TEAM MEMBER Cindy Ewing Donor activist and investor Cindy Ewing lives in Carmel, CA and Santa Fe, NM. A founding member of Inspired Legacies board in 2006, she was also on the founding board of its predecessor, Resourceful Women, in the mid-80s. She is president of the Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation. She is often described lovingly by the 4F - Photographer, Feminist, Philanthropist, and Friend. She believes art and activism transform life for the better and aims to live accordingly. See our whole team.   UPCOMING EVENTS SEPTEMBER 28 Women Moving Millions with Helen Hunt, Farmington, CT OCTOBER 2-3 Award for service to Tracy, Farmington, CT 7-8 Zonta Conference, presentations, Riverside, CA 14-16 Partnership for Philanthropic Planning, National Conference, Maryland 26-28 American College Advisory Board, Boston and New Hampshire NOVEMBER 5-8 Women Donors Network, New Orleans, LA 16-17 Women Moving Millions, Washington DC 17-19 Community Foundations of Morris and Grundy Counties, IL In process, Southern CA Regional Grantmakers' Women Give! and trips to Santa Fe and Boulder Co in Oct. and Nov. View our calendar for more.   LEGACY TOOLS Here are 7 key suggestions we have for you for this FALL: 1. Spend more time in reflection and being, simply. Give up multi-tasking and come once again, present. 2. Get clear on your intentions and goals for your life, your giving and your leadership. 3. Meet with family and advisors about your financial planning, reinvesting and your legacies. And do it soon, enough delaying. 4. Consider a fair share to uplift the nonprofits and leaders that you cherish or KNOW are part of rebuilding confidence. 5. Rework your giving plans and get specific and clear about what you can give and when this Fall. And let groups know soon. (Making gifts sooner is ideal.) 6. Know what sources or motivates you and helps you to thrive. Move and prioritize from this source and heart. 7. Become a "donor partner" and lead others with heart to do good works for the "sake of the whole."   The Grandparent Legacy Project, co-sponsored by 21/64 and the Association of Small Foundations, is a resource that helps you communicate your story – your legacy – across the generations and includes a book of 15 grandparent's legacies, a CD to hear their stories, and a workbook to help you convey your own legacy.   Evolve your Leadership, Giving and Impact How balanced is your most impactful portfolio? Use this visualization to reflect your impact of charity, social change, social justice, transformational philanthropy and evolutionary philanthropy   RESOURCES Women Moving Millions Women Moving Millions, Helen Hunt and women from Women's Philanthropy Institute on why investing in women's funds and giving is key leverage now. Sept 9, NPR http://www.cpbn.org/program/where-we-live/episode/wwl-women-and-philanthropy Choosing a Charity Be smart about how you donate your cash. http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/30/choosing- charity-efficient-donating-personal-finance-charities.html How the Mighty Have Fallen The rich really aren't like you and me: They're historically recession-proof. But this time they've been hit hard-and we may all be the poorer for it. http://www.newsweek.com/id/206160/ output/print United Ways update on fundraising campaigns, 9/24/09 www.nptimes.com/09sep/bnews-090924-2.html   Please feel free to send us links to resources that address legacy or philanthropic planning and revitalize democracy through citizen participation.   INSPIRED PRODUCTS Social Change 2.0 by David Gershon - A Blueprint for Reinventing Our World David Gershon After three decades of large-scale societal transformation, David Gershon provides a comprehensive roadmap to bring about fundamental change in our world. To bring about this type of change we need leadership schooled in the competencies of transformative social change. With our planet on the line and with such a propitious opening available for transformation available as the world strives to reinvent itself, change leaders need to playing at their best. Social Change 2.0 (http://www.socialchange2.com/ provides a blueprint to help them do just that. Youth Giving Circle. Join our efforts to move the next generation forward: For ages 13-18, here is Inspired Legacies' new 169 page resource. Press release For more, see: www.inspiredlegacies.org/youthgiving/ Sponsor Youth Giving Circle rollout! Click here   MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN KidThrive Purpose: To be relentless allies for kids in the complicated process of growing up. Mission: Using the power of social media to gather relevant information from kids' points of view, we empower local and global advocates to help youth not only survive their growing up years but to thrive as caring and productive adults. Contact: Amy Looper, 713 826-4034 www.kidthrive.org Games for Change Games for Change seeks to harness the extraordinary power of video games to address the most pressing issues of our day, including poverty, human rights, global conflict and climate change. We are a voice for the transformative power of games, bringing together organizations and individuals from the nonprofit sector, government, journalism, academia, industry and the arts, to grow the sector and provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and resources. Contact: Suzanne Seggerman, 917-478-4772 www.gamesforchange.org Mama Cash Mission: Courageous women and girls' human rights organisations worldwide need funding and supportive networks in order to grow and transform their communities. Contact: Nicky McIntyre, Director www.mamacash.org Foundation for Midwifery Mission: To increase access to midwifery in North America through education, research and public policy initiatives Contact: info@formidwifery.org or 1-877-594-9996 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Box 720 Washington, DC 20006 www.foundationformidwifery.org Advisors in Philanthropy Mission: We are a network of professional advisors who are devoted to mastering and promoting the principles and practices of client-centered planning. Contact: (Toll-free) 888.597.6575 The International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy, Inc. 95 West Street Rocky Hill, CT 06067 www.advisorsinphilanthropy.org   Be sure to check our next issue in November 2009! Would you like to donate to support Inspired Legacies and Inspired Stories?   Receive another Inspired Stories!   We welcome your feedback and ideas at any time! To contribute to the next issue of Inspired Stories, please submit by November 1.

VIEW FROM THE FOUNDER

"How then shall we lead?" I asked the caterpillar?
"How then are you sourced and what resources you?"
said the wise soul.

Today was probably the six thousandth visit I have made to the home of funders over my 35 years as a philanthropic advisor. Before going, I'd been full of questions like: "Will our nonprofit sector stagnate or thrive this Fall through the retrenchment of donors and volunteers?" We face a crisis of confidence in our very economic systems. I see great suffering on a daily basis as well as enormous optimism given the bold efforts of many. And, by enlarge, I am a person of faith who has had, as most of us in the Western and developed world have, a life that surpasses the freedoms and opportunities of most queens and kings of history. How blessed we have been. And yet, worry I do, as it's been the hardest of times for development in the nearly half century that I have been supporting the release and redirection of resources for higher purpose.

I was inspired by the authentic presence and joy of a woman I have known about 22 years. She has blossomed: transforming millions of dollars aligned with her values and karmic purpose. Here, there is no evidence of stress, only gratitude and determination to find - through her work with others - that which unifies. She is sourced by a power greater than herself. Call it the Divine, God or some amazing force. She reminded me, as does Ted Mallon's great book, "The Journey Toward Masterful Philanthropy", on evolving ourselves:

• Pay attention to how we are being sourced.
• Tend to our deep listening practice for call because it acts as a counterbalance to these times.

When we see we might stand to lose everything we have come to depend on, it is our egos that panic. We are, let's remember, amidst the greatest transformation of our times. Let us remember to evolve and to support the culture to take a bold leap.

Welcome to fundraising season! Hardly a season anymore, it's a full year's activity now for all nonprofits and NGO's. Are we going to step up to see our nonprofits as part of the strategy for recovery, as the Economic Stimulus package evidences somewhat? For we know that giving and being involved with strategic nonprofits is part of the core values of generosity with greatest impact. And it is soul and heart-building, which is what we need too!

Many donors stepped back. They say, "I don't have enough money, so what's the point?" They feel they can't afford to be involved to the same degree in the nonprofit sector. Yet in times of fear, it is our generosity which acts as an antidote, giving us meaning and purpose. Some inspire us, like Women Moving Millions by leaping forward with millions more. Some like Mama Cash are giving 20% more this year and forgoing their 25th year celebration in lieu of giving more. Notice their pizzaz and energy! Thank goodness for signs of hope, like these and the Season's Fund for Social Transformation one of our new clients.

Join our briefing calls for advisors and prospective donors. Click the image above to download a copy of the flyer Inspired Legacies Presents - a teleconference donor briefing on The Seasons' Fund for Social Transformation Mon. Nov 2, 2009 3-4:15 Eastern time 2-3:15 Central time 1-2:15 Mountain time 12-1:15 Pacific time Contact Tracy@inspiredlegacies.org for more information.

Dear donors...we don't just want you for your money. Your time, talent, spirit, and abilities to open doors and introduce us is needed more than ever. Donor Partners and strong Development teams, askers and Development staff are needed everywhere. Simply put, raising funds takes up to twice as long. Foundations, in general, take longer and give less due to higher volume and depleted endowments. Individual donors are harder than ever to find much less get to respond. We are, as a sector, it seems, skidding and unraveling with stress. Or are we in a revolution of the heart?

Will we stagnate further if there is another downturn? Are we ready? Have we built up reserves? We hope to, yet barely have most of us made much progress (cutting budgets by 20-40% takes time, and it is hard to lose good people on boards and staffs). Or are we amidst a powerful breakthrough?

Teleconference on using our Youth Giving Circle tools Register here Register by Oct 5th Call on Oct 7th 3pm Central OR Register by Oct 15th Call on Oct 20th 2pm Central $20 and RSVP tracy@inspiredlegacies.org 713.527.7671 box 1

Click the image above to download a copy of the flyer

Will we survive or thrive? Here's to our own Jean Russell, dedicated co-founder of Inspired Legacies and our communications queen. She is also an entrepreneur. Jean is working with a team of leading thinkers and doers (of which I am honored to be included) to share what we are seeing and building for a thrivable world. Thrivability is beyond survival and sustainability. Read her worldchanging interview for a glimpse. Jean says, "The language of sustainability is about neutralizing. Thrivability is about succeeding." Furthermore, she quotes Arthur Brock, "Thrivability emerges from the persistent intention to create more value than you consume. When practiced over time this builds a world of ever increasing possibilities."

Here's what I am seeing...
Donors have less, or feel they do. It's the perfect time to plan, but fear is thick. As it is harder to get credit, we are strapped, all of us. We are in a world in turmoil, debate, and revision.

Will donors step up to their full potential as leaders in their families and for our sector? Are we evolving?

Evolve your Leadership, Giving and Impact
Click the image above to download a copy of this flyer

Fact is we need to come together as donors, advisors and nonprofits for greater planning and impact as never before. Have you had such a meeting in these times? How then will YOU lead?

This Summer I had the honor of taking a 10 Day retreat to recharge, learn and reflect. This I do as much as I can but rarely have I taken 10 days off at once. I had to go deep to still and renew. What a journey and amazing passage! With thanks to EnlightenNext (www.enlightenNext.org) and a framework to evolve personal and cultural consciousness for the "sake of the whole," I returned filled with a new way to transcend and work with ego and spirit. Now I feel more hope and excitement for myself and our sector, culture and world than ever.

The times are tough, but our capacities to evolve are exponential. Here's a graphic reminder of just how to manage your resourcefulness. Here's to a Fall full of community and legacy building!

Click the image above to download a copy of this flyer

Thank you!
Tracy Gary, Founder and Director, Inspired Legacies

LEGACY PARTNERSHIPS

We are honored to help a few groups find donors for their excellent work. Women Moving Millions and the Women's Funding Network, The Women's Fund of CA, Bolder Giving and the Seasons Fund for Social Transformation. We raise and leverage with them, millions annually. (Listen to the wonderful interview about this work with Women Moving Millions on the NPR interview in our resource section in the sidebar.)

If you would like to know more, please email Tracy at Tracy@inspiredlegacies.org or call her cell 415-377-9447. (Note: Tracy is not currently accepting development clients, given our other advisory work.)

For Inspired Legacies, with the able guidance of our dedicated board during hard times, like all, we have downsized, reduced our budget by 1/4, and moved our office when the lease was up to a wonderful new space. We are now next to a nonprofit, KidThrive, started by advisors to our Youth Giving work, Amy Looper and Beth Carls. We love our new offices. Come and visit. As you can see our quilts continue to link us to you each.

Tracy's room and quilts - Quilt advisor: The Quilt Complex

Below is our map of our work around the country trying to inspire and move more to higher practice and evolution. We are determined, even as we work around the country, to also support Houston and Northern California as our primary bases.

July to December 2009 Click on map for a closer look and information about the events

It's the perfect time to plan. This is why the Head of the American College's Sallie B. and William B. Wallace Chair in Philanthropy and Inspired Legacies advisor, Phil Cubeta, and I speak in DC/Maryland on October 16th as advisors, donor advocates, and philanthropic advisors to hundreds of planned giving professionals at the National Conference on Philanthropic Partnership Conference (formerly the National Committee for Planned Giving). See www.pppnet.org.

May this Fall enable the advice I got from the great work of EnlightenNext. "Face everything, avoid nothing!" It's amazing how energy is restored by authentic purpose and committing to evolve. What then will be your next step? These are ours. Lets be part of co-creating our collective future for the good of all. FEAR NOT…just move ahead with grace, faith and wisdom.

LETTERS TO LOVED ONES

Dear Family,

I have spent a lot of time this year thinking about my legacy, our family and how we might be of greater support to each other. We are amidst the most challenging economic and moral time of surely my life and now yours. Let's face that head-on.

We need to talk turkey about a number of things. The day after Thanksgiving might be the best time. I want you to know our intentions for my will and trusts that you will inherit. Mostly I want to listen and learn from you about how in our final years your Mother and I can be truly helpful to you around money, stewardship and our family foundation. We appreciate all that you have picked up and will move forward. There are many details you have already been handling for us. Please know how much we appreciate your accompaniment.

Aging seems like nothing but losing control, but then it's also about creating deeper bonds and understanding with those we love. It has never been so clear what matters most. We do not know the future. We do know we all feel better when we help others. Of any family value that we want you to understand, the power of generosity expressed as impact for others is imperative. May we all find inspiration together to stop worrying about our personal security and to lift this planet from our neglect.

Let's sit down this Thanksgiving and explore what more we can do as a family and team. We want to go over our affairs and hopes for you with our advisor Mike Young, and our philanthropic advisor, Tracy Gary, so that you feel supported to ask the most basic of questions about your short and long term opportunities and responsibilities ahead.

Let us know if 2-4:30pm on Friday will work for you.

Love,
Dad and Mom

GRATITUDES & TRASITIONS

This issue we wish to extend an extra thank you to our board chair, Joanne Reich. Joanne serves the world in many other capacities too:

• Child Protection and Community Assistance Officer and Ministries with Women, Children, and Families for the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church
• Chair of the Justice For Women Working Group of the National Council of Churches USA
• Board member of Interfaith Worker Justice and FaithTrust Institute (working on sexual and domestic violence)

Joanne inspires us with her dedication, commitment, remarkable reach and depth of caring. She has supported the development of Inspired Legacies since 2007, and shortly thereafter took her leadership role as our chair. We promote strong board participation in nonprofits, and so we have it in our own. Joanne has been a strong force in our work and a persistent voice in our decisions. Thank you from all of us, Joanne.