It happened again. A woman came up to me and said, “Oh, I wish I could be a philanthropist.” I answered emphatically, “YOU CAN.”

My name is Deborah and I am a philanthropist. I want everyone to be able to clearly own this term, just as I do. In fact, it is part of my philosophy—everyone can be a philanthropist!

Defining Philanthropy

Philanthropy, at its root, means “love of humanity.” It’s as simple as that. If you can love your fellow human beings, you can be a philanthropist. We all have that capacity.

Yet, in our society, we’ve come to think that we need to have A LOT of money to call ourselves a philanthropist. I think it’s high time we change that perspective. Rather than people coming up to me and stating their dream of being a philanthropist, I want them to come up to me and say, “I’m a philanthropist too!”

Philanthropy is about SO MUCH more than money. It’s about giving our time, talent, and our ties. Here are a few ways I do each of these:

• I give my time by taking a volunteer trip to save sea turtles in Nicaragua.
• I give my talent by baking for the annual Jewish Food Festival at Congregation Beth Israel.
• I give my ties when I sign a petition to help protect the marine environment and then share that opportunity with all my friends via Facebook.
• AND, I give my treasure (or money) to places like my alma mater, Wittenberg University.

How do you give your time, talent, ties, or treasure?

Redefining Philanthropist

Our society has come to associate older, rich, white men with philanthropy. So, young people think they aren’t old enough to be a philanthropist (check out New Voices of Philanthropy to read about young philanthropists disproving this stereotype), middle class individuals think they don’t have enough money to call themselves a philanthropist, people of color wonder how they fit into this world, and women don’t think this word applies to them.

There is room for all of us! And I want to empower women to own this word. Last week, I heard a young woman share her story of how she became a philanthropist. Amazingly, at the age of 12, she decided to own this word. She too was a philanthropist. It was inspirational to hear how she came to this realization.

I’d love for us all to become comfortable using the words philanthropy and philanthropist. They don’t have to be BIG, serious words that only certain people can use.  We can redefine them for ourselves.

Why Philanthropy Camp for Women?

Philanthropy Camp for Women will be an opportunity to do just that! To get in touch with your inner philanthropist! To understand why it is you give. To reconnect with your values and align those with your giving. And to consider ALL the myriad ways you give. This is my gift to you, the women of my community.

Did you know that women are more likely to give? Women typically give more. And women make the majority of giving decisions in families. So it’s time to step up and see that you too can be a philanthropist. YOU can achieve that dream of being a philanthropist.

Make 2014 the year you say, “I am a philanthropist!”

Click for more information about Philanthropy Camp for Women and register TODAY!