“The Elevated Eleven” tips regarding Philanthropy

"If service is the rent you pay for your existence on this earth, are you behind in your rent?" Robert G Allen

“Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism” by Nobel Laureate, Muhammad Yunus is our book of choice for our Philanthropy discussion this week. Business Week made these comments regarding the author: "[Yunus] means to reform capitalism to make it a tool for ending poverty. Think of him as Gandhi with a BlackBerry.  Now Yunus is back in the public eye with a concept he calls social business. This form of capitalism, he believes, can make progress against poverty in ways that governments and traditional charities have not done. He lays out his concept in his new book. It's an inspiring volume, full of practical information for people who are motivated to try out his ideas."

What if you could harness the power of the free market to solve the problem of poverty? Grameen Foundation board member and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus outlines his vision for a new business model that combines the power of free markets with the quest for a more humane world and tells the inspiring stories of companies that are doing this work today.  In “Creating World Without Poverty,” Yunus goes beyond micro credit to pioneer the idea of social business—a completely new way to use the creative vibrancy of business to tackle social problems from poverty and pollution to inadequate health care and lack of education. Former President Jimmy Carter said of Yunus, “By giving poor people the power to help themselves, Dr. Yunus has offered them something far more valuable than a plate of food—security in its most fundamental form.”

Former President Bill Clinton's philanthropy philosophy has more to do with ideas than with money.  His idea is to gather together those with the ideas to help those in need and those with the money to facilitate the help and find creative solutions for the betterment of mankind.  Philanthropy is one of society’s mechanisms for addressing both the acute and chronic challenges that emerge in the world around us.  It is voluntary and independent, and to the degree it is rooted in our basic willingness to help others, it is timeless.  Indeed, the word philanthropy literally means “love of humankind.” Philanthropy is “the giving of time, money, and know-how to advance the common good.  Philanthropy is love, benevolence and generosity within the human condition. 

Philanthropy in its purest, and therefore most rare and elusive form, is the giving of oneself or one’s means for a purpose that is selfless and good.  It can be done in small ways and large ways.  We hope that you are inspired to really look into your heart and reach out to those who are hurting and in need…and help in any you can.  Each one of us makes a difference when we put forth “our” effort, whatever that may be.  So, please, do what you can do from your heart…it is “The Heart of the Matter.”

“The Elevated Eleven” tips on Philanthropy

1.     Give often from and with your heart

2.     Visit HelpOthers.com

3.     Find a local charity to give to…there is always a need…search local charities and you’ll find one that fits

4.     Give often...help is needed by so many…not just during the holidays…help is always on time

5.     Volunteer your time to a local food bank

6.     Volunteer to serve or feed the Homeless

7.     Give again…please…from and with your heart

8.     Visit the Bill Gates Foundation or the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation…you can help

9.     Give for the sake of giving…it’s good for your heart

10.  Find a way to help children…they did not ask to be here…they are the most vulnerable…please help

11.  Visit YourElevatedLife.com for more information on Philanthropy and Giving, Inspiration, Happiness and Peace of Mind

Savannah Blue is a Freelance Writer, a Spiritual Comforter and Motivator, and an amateur photographer and is also a publisher and entrepreneur. She is the Co-founder and Co-producer of YourElevatedLife and YourElevatedLife Radio Show. She is "Living her Dreams" at the beach with the love of her life and working from home doing what she loves to do...help others live their Dreams!