Happy National Philanthropy Day! The world is a much better place due to the work of philanthropy and philanthropic individuals. But what makes you passionate about philanthropy? I asked the same question of some of our clients, partners and Marts & Lundy team. I think you will find the answers interesting, varied and inspiring. But it still begs the question - how would you respond? Use the comments section to respond!

 

Andrew Gossen, Cornell University's Senior Director for Social Media Strategy:

I'm a passionate believer in the American Dream. Over the past century, higher education has done more to help talented young people find what they love, acquire the skills to pursue it, and better their lives than any other institution in American society. I'm passionate about philanthropy because of the essential role that it plays in helping this crucial engine of economic, social, scientific, and technological progress evolve and improve. There's nothing more important than ensuring the vitality of higher education and expanding access to this resource for future generations.

 

Jennifer Houlihan, The Long Center for the Performing Arts' Director of Development:

I’m passionate about philanthropy because it champions those who want to effect meaningful, positive change in their communities. Our organizations don’t have needs: our communities, local and global, have needs. So if I can serve as the conduit between a donor and a community need, and help that donor participate in creating a transformative change that makes someone’s – anyone’s – life a little better, a little longer or a little sweeter, then I’ve done my job. And I have to say, it’s a pretty cool job.

 

 

 

Howard W. Heevner, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Constituent Engagement at the University of California, Santa Cruz:

I am passionate about philanthropy because it allows me to create opportunities that I didn't have growing up. My entire career (professional and volunteer) is about accessibility and support of the working poor. I hope that everyday that I raise money that some portion of it is going to facilitate the working poor to have a better life.

 

 

Rebecca Bramlett, Director of Annual Giving, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill:

I heard UNC System President Tom Ross speak recently about leadership and what drives leaders and he said that for him, it was an inherent desire to matter.  That stuck such a chord with me.  It seems so simple, yet I had never put it in those terms before.  Like many of us, I fell into the role of development.  I had every intention of becoming a social worker and helping individuals solve their life problems (another field that “matters”), but life took me other directions and here I am.  I discovered over time that my real passion is education, especially higher education, and the value that an educational opportunity provides to individuals, as well as to the surrounding community.  Knowing that the work I do every day helps enable an institution of higher education continue to operate makes me proud, and honored, and feel like I matter.  I may not be the actual educator, advisor, scientist, artist, etc., but I can help make sure they can continue to exist in a place that provides space, opportunity, and intellectual freedom to make social contributions.  And beyond that, personally, I love that it keeps me behind the scenes.  I want my work to matter, but I don’t need to get the direct recognition or credit for the outcomes.  It’s enough for me to know that what I am doing – encouraging and promoting philanthropy among others – is making a difference, and matters.

 

 

Debbie Meyers, Director of Donor Services, Carnegie Mellon University

Philanthropy offers hope.  Against cancer.  And AIDS.  World hunger.  Illiteracy.  Mental illness. You name it, philanthropy is part of the cure.

Philanthropy makes the world a better place, for us and forever.

 

 

 

 

Catherine H. McGrath, Senior Consultant and Senior Analyst, Marts & Lundy:

 Philanthropy is a way for us to make a difference in things that are important for us—things that have made a difference in our lives—things that can make a difference in the lives of others. Simply, it is an opportunity to be engaged in things that make our world better.

 

 

 

Tammie L. Ruda, Executive Director of Annual Giving, Brown University:

My passion for philanthropy has a very personal source. I am the first member of my family to attend college, and I got to go to Harvard. I would not have been able to attend without significant financial aid, a wonderful gift to me from people that I will likely never know. My college experience opened up countless opportunities for me and truly changed my life. I have devoted my career to fundraising in higher education to make similar opportunities available to others and to change their lives. It's hard to imagine a job that would be more meaningful.

 

 

 

HornerAnn Horner, Executive Director, Annual Giving, NC State University:

My personal interests are in higher education and land, water and wildlife conservancy. Helping others achieve what I received help achieving is a powerful place from which I do my work. Preserving what could honestly run out -- clean water, wildlife, healthy rivers and land is always on my mind. Our earth is finite, and needs care and nurturing.

 

 

 

 

 

Kathy L. Howrigan, Senior Analyst & Associate Consultant, Marts & Lundy:

I believe that every person desires to have a positive impact in the world and to help others in some way. I’m passionate about philanthropy because it provides us all with the opportunity to do just that, while supporting those causes and people who need that support.

 

 

 

 

Mary Evanson, Director of Development, College of Business, Iowa State University:
My 3 year old has become quite a little philanthropist these days so maybe he could better answer your question: “I just want to help them,” he said, when a news reporter asked him why he wanted to raise money to help hungry children.

But if you’re looking for an answer from a professional development officer, I’d say…well, pretty much the same thing. “I just want to help.” In my short 12 year career, I’ve elected to work for organizations where I feel I can make a real difference in people’s lives and only for organizations which I personally financially support. In higher education, nothing is more rewarding than seeing my work come full circle from meeting a donor, closing a gift, awarding the scholarship and witnessing the student’s appreciation for the gift.

 

 

Russ Shaw, Assistant Vice President, University Relations, Regis University:

In terms of my work, my mantra since I joined the sector has been that "I get to make a difference in or for someone every day". Just completed my first decade in the sector and that mantra remains valid.

With my personal philanthropy, I look at my financial investments as providing the spark that ignites, or the fuel that swells, passionate fires in others to make their own difference.

 

 

 

Kathleen Hanson, Senior Consultant & Principal, Leader of Schools Practice Group, Marts & Lundy:

I'm passionate about philanthropy because it is one of the most direct ways to assist others in need, to stabilize a much needed nonprofit, to allow educational institutions to educate and debate brilliant and ambitious ideas which will transfer through teaching and learning. And it feels good.