GOOD To Know: A BBC episode and How America Gives

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?

Article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy.