In our weekly GOOD To
Know blog series, we are highlighting two very unique sources. First, from BBC, an episode focusing around
the balance of power in grassroots and political organizations. Next, see “How America Gives”, with this
interactive map showing the ratio of giving to wealth across America.
Hope you enjoy! Until
next week
Xo
For Goodness Sake
In a weekly BBC radio forum on the “Global Exchange of Ideas,” the
Global Fund for Women's CEO, Musimbi Kanyoro, spoke about the delicate balance
of power within grassroots and political organizations. The Global Fund for
Women’s vision, that every woman and girl should be powerful, strong and safe
with no exception in the world, demonstrates the importance of power and
powerlessness in these growing communities. "When women are free from
violence they are able to care for their communities, they are able to go into
public and work and do the right thing. We must provide the narrative of
women’s lives. We must provide the narrative of the power of information. The
power of the message. Nations and states are not listening. States and
countries have a lot to learn from women’s groups and organizations about
better collaborations and power sharing through listening and not being
impulsive and not using one’s bigness or ability of privilege to parade one’s
power...” To listen to more of the episode, click
here.
How does your community rank amongst the national giving standard? The
Chronicle of Philanthropy’s recent study, "How America Gives” marked a
surprisingly inverse correlation between affluence and charitable giving. Put
simply, resident areas in the U.S. with high standards of living, low poverty
and low crime rates gave demonstrably less to charity than the less affluent
communities. Why are those with the most income and opportunity the least
likely to give back?
The study’s recent findings have challenged the assumption that
those with more will give more. Of course, there are possible exceptions.
People in areas that give generously could be steering their donations outside
of the country to places that are poorer, or to arts or medical-research causes
that don’t affect the opportunity score. And the total amount that the
wealthy donate is still often larger than the total amount given by those
who live in poorer regions.
Still, Yvonne Booker, the executive director of the Assistance
Center of Collin County, Texas (one of the lowest ranking giving regions in the
U.S.) thinks people who live in wealthy communities may be missing
opportunities to make significant improvements in their neighbors’ lives.
How can we improve our Opportunity and Giving Index?
