Click: Sophisticated Giving

A note from our publisher, Craig Kaminer

So Many Ways to Give

My grandfather used to say, “Rich or poor, it’s good to have money.” He had very little, so to him, having money meant that he could do more for his family, but like many of his generation, he did what he could – surprisingly everyone had what they needed. My parents had more than their parents, but they focused the majority of their resources on their children. They made sure we were well educated at the finest institutions and never lived beyond their means. Two generations later, through hard work, luck and marriage, we have more than my grandparents and parents did, and we still feel it’s good to have money...to live our lives fully, to show our kids the world and make a difference in our community.  

While we are able to use our resources and look beyond our own family, what we see now more than ever are the many things in our community that need our attention. It is estimated that St. Louis has 17,000 not-for-profits, 2,500 of which are sizeable. The needs are so vast and the requests so frequent that it is hard to say “no.” As a result, it’s easy to lose track of our personal or family philanthropic focus. Sometimes we say “no” to all of these requests -- or like most people we just don’t respond -- and the result is we feel cold hearted and inadequate. I’m sure you know the feeling.

As we publish our fifth issue of Sophisticated Giving St. Louis, I am reminded that when we know why we give our gifts work harder, go further and last longer. I have met many impressive philanthropists -- some small and some large -- so I thought I should recognize them -- albeit anonymously -- and the way they give to encourage everyone to have a philanthropic plan and stick to it.

One of our most generous “angel sponsors” meets annually with his family to discuss how much they have to give, where they want it to go, and why. It’s a family decision and as a result, the entire family are givers and I bet always will be. They give anonymously so they are not doing it for recognition, but rather to do what they feel is right. Few people know who they are, but the feeling of making a difference drives them to continuously expand their giving and the number of beneficiaries.  

In contrast, another sponsor has set up a family foundation which is visible all around town with a particular mission to support the arts, and it is amazing how the arts have flourished with this clarity of mission. In just one generation, St. Louis artists and arts organizations have the infrastructure for the arts to thrive. When I moved to St. Louis in 1988, Grand Center was still a dream. Now it’s the heart of the arts...again. 

Many donors give to a cause especially close to their hearts. It may be cancer and their unwavering support of the Siteman Cancer Center, Pedal the Cause and Cancer Support Community. Others to advance research in heart disease, Alzheimer’s, ALS or mental illness. And in recent years, social services, children’s charities, social equity and tolerance have become hot button issues that require more investment to make a difference, and St. Louisans are stepping up.

While I am not a very good chess player, I am amazed by how St. Louis has become the center of the chess world by one person’s vision and generosity. Whether you give to a well run organization which has been around for years, or you start something new, giving generously is the backbone of St. Louis and makes our city great. 

While giving most often comes from the heart, using one’s head is profoundly important. Setting a goal is key. Do you want to give to as many organizations as possible, or do you want to make sure every child has books, pencils, paper and lunch? Having a family giving plan -- much like a business plan -- can help you focus, achieve your goals, and filter the thousands of requests you probably get in a year. And, using financial instruments such as Family Foundations and Donor Advised Funds have significant advantages and encourages us to give more.

Last year, we featured a start-up called Givable which automates the process of giving so that it is easy to give daily. I gave this way for a couple of years and found the process very rewarding. This year, we are featuring KidSmart to make sure kids have the tools and resources at school to learn. It’s hard to imagine that thousands of kids go to school each day without books, pencils, paper, crayons, let alone lunch. One of our past sponsors has given them a building so they can grow and meet a staggering need. 

Gladitood, who has worked with us for three years and generated more than $1.2 million in online giving, is a St. Louis headquartered crowdfunding start-up that helps non-profits generate recurring revenue, grow their donor lists, personalize donor outreach and reduce donor fatigue -- all online. This year, 50% of all giving is expected to be online.  

You can give an unwrapped toy, a used coat, gift cards, appreciated stock, a life insurance policy, to a bell ringer or dozens of other clever ways. But you can also donate your time to help a non-profit. A symptom of a strong economy is that volunteers are in short supply, so if you are in a giving mood but tapped out on cash, donate your time.

On behalf of the not-for-profits featured here, our sponsors, our anonymous supporters and the thousands of others who need our support, thank you for what you do. You are a blessing.