Poor People Are Philanthropists

Philanthropist: a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.

I was raised by philanthropists and not the ones who received tax right offs for doing so, but the ones who gave because it was natural to who they are as people - deeply integrated into daily life - a way of life, a way for caring and loving embedded in faith, culture, norms and value systems. 

Growing up, I saw how my family didn’t give from excess but gave during both good and hard times. While in Ethiopia, I witnessed this generosity first hand. If my uncle had two shirts he would give one, if he had one, he would give the one off his back. As guests when we visit family they would give us their bed and sleep on the floor, or when family would visit us we would give up our beds and sleep on the floor - this was the norm for me.

Every wedding, every funeral, every baptism, every birth, in times of illness and in times of crisis, my parents gave. And not only did they give financially, they gave their time, their labor and their prayers. From childhood to adulthood, I witnessed my mother take people into our home when they didn’t have a place to sleep or cook for neighbors, bringing food when there was a death In the family. She would tell me, "never show up empty handed", reminding me to always bring water or cash when visiting neighbors - a value she learned from her own mother in the Ethiopian Highlands. 

My mother’s name is not listed in plaques, nor in public memorials that acknowledge those who gave - but her name Is etched In the hearts of many people. She does not have an institution behind her name - but as a refugee she became a refuge for many others.

If I asked her if she identifies as a philanthropist she would likely look at me annoyed and quickly tell me to stir the pot before the food burns (what I’m often getting lectured for when I am in her presence). 

So it was a bit foreign to me when I started to work professionally in the field of philanthropy to discover “philanthropist” meant people whose lives looked very different from those who raised me. I realized some philanthropist may be talking about stocks and finance to serve the community, while others may be talking about how they can turn a handful of root vegetables into enough food to feed the entire neighborhood - they are both equally contributing to social wellbeing.

I realized some philanthropists may be talking about stocks and finance to serve the community, while others may be talking about how they can turn a handful of root vegetables into enough food to feed the entire neighborhood - they are both equally contributing to social wellbeing. 

I believe every giver is a philanthropist, no matter the size of the gift that they give. In fact, the size of the gift may seem small to one but enormous to another - especially when one may be taking from their own child's mouth to feed another. Some may value those who give more to be the greater, but I would argue It Is the one who gives from the heart.

Take the Bible story of the Widow's Offering for example. The actions of a woman who quietly gave only a few cents became a spiritual and moral lesson on giving that emerges out of everything we are and possess.

I was raised by philanthropists who believed God values the heart and sacrifice behind the giving not the amount - who gave from a place of faith and trust - whose generosity was great in spirit - who may give all that they have but trust they will still be cared for. They moved not from scarcity but sincerity, even when It may seem so small in the world's eyes.

I don't assume everyone shares in the same faith tradition as those who raised me, but I do know that many people from all walks of life share in similar values of generosity. And so I ask, how can we widen the circle? How can we all lean In to giving no matter how big or small? How do we right size our definition of givers - who Is left out? And who are we valuing as experts In philanthropy? These are the questions I ponder.