The Generosity Plan: Sharing Your Time, Treasure, and Talent to Shape the World

by Kathy LeMay

Overview

Many of us have the desire to make a difference. But when it comes down to it, how many really know what steps to take and how to fit philanthropy into our lives. The Generosity Plan shows readers the unexpected benefits and joys of generosity in our daily lives. This smart, practical guide to philanthropy illuminates the power of giving by helping readers to discover what inspires them, clarify what he or she can afford to give, and direct that generosity toward a better world.

Contributing time or money to causes far removed from the immediacy of our individual lives may feel overwhelming, especially in times of financial stress and uncertainty. Author Kathy LeMay breaks through these initial roadblocks to give easy and valuable tools to spur definite and rewarding action, demonstrating how our time, treasure, and talents can make a world of difference. By building and acting on a generosity plan, each one of us can create change simply by doing what we can, where we are, with what we have.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781582702346
Publisher:	Atria Books/Beyond Words
Publication date:	01/19/2010
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Kathy LeMay is the founder, president, and CEO of Raising Change, a fundraising organization that works to advance social change agendas and generosity worldwide. LeMay has provided social-change fundraising and generosity trainings to hundreds of organizations throughout the world—including top-level executives at, JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, and CitiFinancial—as well as being a prolific public speaker. LeMay began her global activism in war-torn Yugoslavia, working with women survivors. She has been featured on Oprah and on the Oxygen network for her proactive lifestyle in making a difference.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction ix

1 Getting Started: Going Back to Your Giving Roots 1

2 If I Ran the World...:Unlocking Your Vision and Setting Your Priorities 17

3 How to Change the World: Time, Treasure, Talent, and Taking a Stand 41

4 Choosing Charities: Naming the Causes You Care About Most 57

5 Finding the Time to Give Your Time: Making a Difference through Just the Right Volunteer Experience 87

6 How Much Cm You Contribute?: Creating Your Giving Formula 107

7 Position Yourself for Success: Five Keys to an Effective Generosity Plan 137

8 Maintaining Momentum: Managing Naysayers and Distractions 161

9 Putting It All Together: Your Very Own Generosity Plan 181

10 Maximizing Your Impact: Starting a Generosity Club 185

Appendix 209

Notes 235

Resources to Get You Started 239

Editorial Reviews

"I have always believed that individual security and stability depends on all of humanity, that we are all linked. The Generosity Plan is a must read because it provides constructive ways we can share our time, talent, and treasure to make a positive difference in the world." — Arun Gandhi, president of the Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute, USA

"In these times of financial fear and challenge, we desperately need this book. Kathy LeMay dares each one of us to give, she teaches us how and makes a convincing argument that all true meaning and happiness is found in this act. Read this book, then start making the world better." — Eve Ensler, playwright and founder of V-Day

"Kathy LeMay has a practical and thoughtful philosophy on philanthropy. Her comprehensive guide leads you through the entire process, from beginning to end, and gives plenty of useful suggestions on how to approach philanthropy and get in touch with your inner emotions about giving." — Sheryl WuDunn, Pulitizer-Prize Winning Journalist and author of Half the Sky

"The Generosity Plan is practical, thought provoking, fun and organized to teach you how to think about all of your gifts — beyond money — so that giving and generosity becomes the enriching way that you live out the gift of your unique life each and every day. The big secret in giving is that the giver truly gets so much satisfaction back and in so many incredible ways. This I have experienced to be true and I invite you to experience for yourself." — Jennifer Buffett, president and co-chair of the NoVo Foundation

"Kathy LeMay has helped me to determine how I am going to use my time, treasure and talent to make a difference in this world." — Jacki Zehner, former managing partner, Goldman, Sachs & Co.

"Kathy grabs your attention and holds you captive throughout...!" — Janice Weiss, YWCA Anchorage

"[Kathy LeMay] speaks from her heart and provides clarity to the conversation around giving...Time spent with Kathy is an investment both in yourself and towards a better world." — Laura B. Davis, vice president, JP Morgan, The Private Bank

"... inspiring, authentic, and catalytic" — Nina Simons, co-executive director and co-producer of Bioneers

"Kathy LeMay is an amazing woman-inspiring, intelligent; just an incredible powerhouse of a person..." — Lara Stone, Women's Fund of Southeastern Massachusetts

"Kathy has a unique voice. Her perspective is fresh, compelling and highly motivational. She talks about philanthropy like no one I've ever heard." — Barbara Dobkin, Dobkin Family Foundation

From the Publisher