Nebraskans are generous people who help neighbors, sponsor the local athletic teams, and attend the annual pancake feed. They are generous people who support their communities in a variety of ways.
Still, some may not think of generosity as philanthropy that can serve communities and grow and sustain the places that are loved. Some people think it is just about the money. The money-only definition leaves out essential aspects of philanthropy and how it can take people from generous to philanthropic.
A broader definition of philanthropy helps those inherently caring people take the next step in giving back and participating more fully in serving their communities. Communities can unleash their Nebraska generosity by redefining philanthropy as giving time, talent, and treasure.
This simple definition speaks to philanthropy’s true potential to shape communities and their futures for the good because it encompasses all aspects of giving, includes all people in the process, and lets philanthropy become an accessible part of civic life. Embracing this broader definition of philanthropy has the power to change communities by engaging more community members in creating vibrant, thriving futures for their hometowns. Philanthropy, defined as giving time, talent, and treasure, opens the door to the world of giving and service and invites everyone to come on in.
Giving - because this new definition focuses on giving and the myriad of gifts to share, it becomes clear that at the root of it all, philanthropy is about giving back. Giving linked to more than just money broadens what is possible for communities by helping people see they have something to share, thus engaging more community members in the act of giving. Giving is often linked to feelings of gratitude, happiness, and connectedness to others, which can have a powerful effect on not only the recipient of those gifts but also the giver. When someone gives, they share a part of themselves outside of their little bubble and in doing so creates powerful connections that have the potential to do good.
Time - time can be given to help someone or something and to make a difference in communities and the lives of others. Volunteers give their time and often express how much they love to give their time and that they receive so much in return, which brings the familiar phrase, “the more you give, the more you receive.” Many organizations and efforts in communities would not happen without people sharing their time. Including time in a new approach to philanthropy highlights the value of participating in common life together and contributing time to leave things just a little bit better than when found.
Talent - talent means sharing skills and abilities to make a difference. Some acts of sharing talents are physical and obvious like painting a neighbor’s fence or serving food at the soup kitchen. Other talents are more intellectual, such as serving as the treasurer for a local organization or reading to preschool students. And other talents are more of the heart like visiting nursing home residents or mentoring students. Talent, in its many forms, is a shared gift that fills unmet needs and wants in community life. Skills become powerful community assets when they serve the greater good. Giving talent in this way fills a need in the community and contributes to a higher quality of life for community members.
Treasure - treasure makes most people think of money. Giving money to projects and organizations is certainly a way to participate in philanthropy that has the power to do a lot of good. In this definition, money is not the focus or sole purpose of philanthropy; it is just one more way to give back. Using the word treasure, rather than the word money, also casts a wider net of possibility for communities. Treasure can also refer to anything of high value or worth. Giving treasure could mean donating food to the food bank, taking clothes to the rescue mission, or giving a used car to a charitable organization. The word treasure also implies that this gift is of great worth to the individual giving it. So what might be considered small amounts of money or goods are treated with the respect they deserve when called treasures. Although treasure will look different for everyone, every bit of it can make a difference when added to the virtuous cycle of giving.
Accepting philanthropy as giving time, talent, and treasure creates opportunities for communities to invite everyone to contribute in some way. Embracing all the ways philanthropy is not just about the money, but about so much more, and can tap into a powerful force for community change. Redefining philanthropy helps generous Nebraskans participate more fully in their communities and in giving back in ways that can make a difference for generations to come.
Wayne Area Legacy Foundation harnesses the power of giving to make the Wayne Area a great place for all ages to live, work and play for generations to come. We invite you to be a part of the legacy of promoting progress in our area by giving to the unrestricted endowment. Similar to a community savings account, unrestricted endowments are an important tool to keep hometowns across Nebraska growing, thriving and improving future generations. A portion of the income earned by the endowment is granted annually to fund projects and programs to benefit the community, the principal remains intact and grows every year.
The Wayne Area Legacy Fund (WALF) has invested over $100,000 back into the Wayne Area community since the inception of the fund. The WALF is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All contributions to WALF are tax-deductible. Visit https://waynearealegacyfund.org/ for additional information. Be sure to like us on Facebook @WayneAreaLegacyFund. Contact WALF at WayneAreaLegacyFund@gmail.com.
Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska.
In the last five years, over 40,000 contributions have been made to NCF and its affiliated funds. Since 1994, NCF has reinvested $590 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For more information, visit nebcommfound.org.
