philanthropy

Is giving nobler when done quietly? Oprah's last season and the mixed messages that tie giving with getting.

The message for this year's final and ULTIMATE favorite things was "giving back." But does that message get lost when combined with consumerism and our own sense of entitlement?

In response to the economic downturn over the past two years, Oprah has dialed back the rampant consumerism associated with her "Favorite Things" shows. But this is Oprah's ULTIMATE Favorite Things year, so hold onto your super expensive hats!

Revisioning and strategic planning are hard work for an organization. We at B-Word/Bitch have been thinking about this process for months, even years for some folks, but last Friday we formally began this journey and I have got to say, it is going to be a pretty great adventure these next few months.

Debbie is devoting an entire post to our process so I won't divulge more, but being in the planning process and looking at our strengths really solidified one of the reasons I feel B-Word/Bitch is so incredibly inspiring as a non-profit: Our supporters.

Over the past year at B-Word/Bitch we have been talking about growing. And doing some growing, too. But within these discussions there are some fundamental questions that not just B-Word contends with, but many, if not most, non-profits.

When is enough, enough? 

When have we grown enough? How do we stay grassroots and evolve? When is the evolution over? 

I was about a month into my job at Bitch and seeking meetings with many who are closest to B-Word's heart. I had the pleasure of meeting the individual who wrote this pitch about a year ago in a Seattle coffeeshop. Her words have blown us away and got us thinking about raising money and the values around procuring donations, sponsorship, planning events/fundraisers and grant funding and different ways to get folks engaged enough in our work to make a contribution.

Now discovered - a new way to pass time at work, while expanding your vocabulary and giving away rice!