Some Personal Wisdom

This week I decided to write something personal. I have been blogging/tweeting for about five weeks now and I feel like I have developed a lot over these past weeks both personally and professionally. I have enjoyed experimenting with this blog and my Twitter activity, employing new tactics such as "TweetDeck" (which I highly recommend incorporating into your own social media activity if you have not already), tapping into resources like the Chronicle of Philanthropy's Daily Update and interacting with all of you out in the philanthropic sector of cyber-space.

As a recent graduate with a passion for philanthropy I am currently seeking a job in non-profit development. As we all know, the job market is not currently at its best so I have been trying to utilize all the resources available to me to create relationships, gain insight into the industry and continue developing my professional skills. There are a few extremely valuable things I have learned along the way that I would like to share for those of you who are seeking jobs yourself or perhaps have children, friends or siblings who are feeling discouraged in the job market (like I once was).

1. Every day is an opportunity.
I used to wake up in the morning, go through my regular job-listings, apply to what interested me (if there was even anything new available) and spend the rest of my day essentially waiting by the phone. But there is so much more you can do. It is easy to blend in with a pile of resumes, so what makes you unique? What are your strengths and how can you continue to build and emphasize these skills to your audience? Reach out to past employers, professors, even peers and co-workers. Whether they give you advice, the name of an organization, a reference or even a website where you can post your resume, these are all steps forward in promoting yourself.
2. Create a focus.
If you know what you want to do, think about the skills you need to effectively execute this position and continue your education. Make a list of strengths and weaknesses and turn your weaknesses into strengths. There are a plethora of books, classes, seminars, libraries and other resources dedicated to your field of interest, all it takes is that first step.
3. Make connections, everywhere.
When you are unemployed or just out of school, I know it can get tiring to continuously repeat your response to "What kind of job are you looking for?" However, trust me, it's worth it. I have a response that, although it sounds tired and over-used to me, is my quick summary of what I'm looking for. One day I was talking to a friend who works for UTA and he asked me the dreaded question and I just responded saying, "I'm really tired of talking about it, can we just talk about something else?" Later that night we were out with his friends who asked me the same question, I responded with my "spiel" and the next day I received an email from my friend with a list of job postings from UTA's Foundation. Needless to say, opportunities exist even where you might not expect to find them, so always be open to sharing your goals with others.
4. Take advice.
My parents have always been involved in philanthropy, which I believe has influenced my career choices. However, when it came time for me to find a job I was hesitant to heed their advice. Living in Santa Barbara, I was skeptical of what opportunities they would be able to connect me with in Los Angeles. However, I was wrong.
In business, private or public, networking is essential. One of the most valuable resources I have tapped into recently (thanks to my parents and their connections) has been the "informational interview." These interviews are so valuable because they can help you not only learn about a new job, but learn how someone who has the position you covet got on the other side of the desk. If you have the opportunity to get one of these prized interviews, don't be embarrased to ask for advice, and when you receive it FOLLOW it. I had an amazing meeting with Jonathan Zeichner of A Place Called Home who gave me some great advice on how to re-work my cover letter and tap into resources which would help me continue my development education. Speaking with him also helped re-ignite my passion for development work and reminded me why I am fighting so hard to pursue my dreams.

I have been told countless times, knowing what you want to do is a gift. I used to think bitterly that it was a futile gift if you were unable to use it. However, I now know what this truly means. A gift is not something we are entitled to, but something you must fight for and earn.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the novel, High Fidelity by Nick Hornby:

"It's not a case of the glass being half full or half empty; more that we tipped a whole half-pint into an empty pint pot. I had to see how much was there, though, and now I know."

I hope that you will take this advice and any discouragement you might be struggling with and find a way to turn it into something positive. Because, if nothing else, that is what philanthropy is all about.

IWMF Courage in Journalism Gala

Monday evening I had the pleasure of attending the International Women's Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Bank of America was the National Event Sponsor for the 6th year running, helping support an incredibly elegant and socially relevant event in honor of brave women journalists.

The historical Beverly Hills Hotel was the perfect backdrop to honor these four women journalists, who despite the harsh conditions they have faced managed to shine on the stage as lovely as any of the stars who have famously graced the venue. Pictured below are the four Courage in Journalism Award winners (from left to right): Adela Navarro Bello of Mexico, Parisa Hafezi of Iran, Chiranuch Premchaiporn of Thailand and Kate Adie of the UK who was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Their stories were both shocking and awe-inspiring. Bello has seen many of her colleagues shot down and killed. Hafezi, a single mother living in Iran, has faced the danger of invasion into her home. Premchaiporn is still facing the possibility of 20 years imprisonment due to postings she published on her website. And Adie is still living with shrapnel in her foot after reporting on the front-lines of a war-zone. These women have displayed bravery and a commitment to seeking the truth even in the face of the threat of death.

It was an honor to attend this incredible event and hear the stories of lives of these courageous women. Please visit the IWMF website to learn more about this event and the Foundation that is supporting women in journalism throughout the world.

FOOD DAY!

Today, October 24, 2011, is the first annual Food Day! You are probably asking yourself, what is Food Day? Food Day is a new concept which promotes "healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way." At first, I was a little skeptical about supporting a day in the name of food. However, after doing some research I found that this day is about much more than food. It is intended to focus the American public on some of the most important issues facing our society, which, whether we realize it or not, have a lot to do with food consumption and production. Here are the 6 principles of Food Day to help you better understand what I am describing:

1. Reduce diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods
2. Support sustainable farms & limit subsidies to big agribusiness
3. Expand access to food and alleviate hunger
4. Protect the environment & animals by reforming factory farms
5. Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids
6. Support fair conditions for food and farm workers

These goals are not extreme, but rather, what I view as basic necessities for a more healthful society. I, myself, lost my grandmother to complications related to type 2 diabetes. And thus am and avid supporter of limiting junk-food, promoting exercise and healthy foods. On the other side of the coin, the hunger epidemic effects millions world-wide on a daily basis and is something we should fight to change.

One of my favorite shows on television is The Biggest Loser. This show not only promotes healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle changes, but also supports a program called "Pound for Pound Challenge." Pound for Pound encourages people to lose weight while also contributing to the hunger crisis which faces 1 in 6 Americans. For every pound of weight lost, the Pound for Pound Challenge will donate 11 cents to Feeding America, enough money to secure one pound of groceries on behalf of local food banks. This is an amazing program which is changing lives and creating a new balance.

Another way to support Food Day is through hosting your own Food Day event or party. Whole Foods, one of my favorite places to shop, created a great blog post about Food Day and how you can host and event to show your support. In partnership with Epicurious, they provide a comprehensive list of recipes, principles and tips on hosting your own event.

I encourage you to visit the Food Day website at: www.foodday.org to learn more about this new concept and how you can get involved and make changes. The website also provides a petition you can sign to encourage your Members of Congress to support the Eat Real agenda which Food Day promotes. The message of this letter really resonated with me and the goals I would like America to support and I hope you will choose to support this message as well.

What Does Gadhafi's Death Mean for You?

The news on everyone's minds this morning is, of course, the death of Moammar Gadhafi. The 69-year-old dictator was killed Thursday in Libya after 42 years of a brutally violent reign. In some graphic cell-phone footage posted by CNN from a Libyan contributor, you can see images of Gadhafi's bloodied body and evidence that he had been shot in the head. You will also see civilians celebrating by firing guns in the air and enthusiastically yelling. I will not post the footage here due to the graphic content but if you would like to see the video here is the link.

For most Libyans, the death of Gadhafi provides a sense of relief and release from the fear of his rule. However, it is unclear what the actual consequences will be for the Libyan people and some fear among the people still persists. According to CNN's Ben Wedeman, Gadhafi's death does not necessarily mean an end of conflict for the people of Libya. There is likely to be a period of lawlessness and some fear revenge attacks by Gadhafi loyalists. There is hope that the Libyan people will be able to arrive at some form of Democratic government, however doubt remains.


For the relatives of victims of Gadhafi-led terrorist attacks, responses range from relief to celebration to shock. In 1988, a Pan Am flight from London to New York was bombed, killing all 259 people on board and 11 civilians on the ground. Many Americans were on this flight, among them the daughter of Susan Cohen who responded to the news of Gadhafi's death saying, "I'm just going to go out and buy an expensive bottle of champagne to celebrate." Cohen has been waiting for the news of his death since the day she found out her daughter would not return home. Other relatives of victims of this crash have commented that they thought this day would never come and finally feel a sense of relief that no other families will have to experience the tragedy of death they have suffered as a consequence of his reign.


In Obama's address to the people he stated that Libyans will now have the power to "determine their own destiny," free from the tyranny of Gadhafi. He also notes America's support for Libya in their plight toward democracy.


If nothing else, Gadhafi's death seems to provide hope for the global fight against tyranny and violent dictatorships. However, violence and death, although sometimes necessary, are never an ideal solution.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month & E! Network's Giuliana Rancic

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and despite how you may feel about the pink ribbon and "pink-washing," breast cancer is an extremely common and often preventable disease that deserves our attention and awareness. According to the National Cancer Institute, 1 in 8 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their life. However, if caught early, the disease is extremely preventable.

Yesterday, Giuliana Rancic, a host on the E! Entertainment Network, announced that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, the cancer was detected early, and although she has to undergo surgery and radiation, she is confident she will overcome the disease. Rancic is using this tragedy as an opportunity to speak out for breast cancer prevention awareness and is encouraging women to go out and get a mammogram. She feels extremely fortunate to have discovered her cancer as she was reluctant to receive a mammogram due to her age and lack of family history. View her announcement to the today show below to learn more about her experience.

There are many great ways you can contribute to breast cancer awareness this month, and the E! Network is doing a wonderful job making sure you hear all about them. A recent post to their online website lists some great products (also featured on their E! News Television Program) which donate to breast cancer awareness this month. Some of my favorites are the Reebok tennis-shows and Philosophy bath products. View all the products here.

Furthermore, there are many great websites you can visit for more information on breast cancer, how to prevent it and how you can help the cause. Here are some of my favorites:

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Seattle Homeless Hold Sleep-Out to Fight Shelter Closures

The homeless community of Seattle Washington has taken a hard hit over the past few months due to shelter closures. Fifteen Seattle shelters are being closed due to spending cuts, displacing over 300 homeless people and families. The lack of funding is due to the loss of federal funding through a FEMA grant.

Many homeless feel their safety is now at jeopardy without the protection of the shelters. These shelters provided a sense of security for individuals who would otherwise be forced to sleep on the streets. Fear of moving to the streets has been elevated reports that six homeless living on the streets have died in the past 2 months.

The homeless community and activists have banded together in protest of these closures and are seeking funds to re-open the shelters. They are currently staging a "sleep-out" in downtown Seattle. Many are stationed outside the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the hopes of growing attention to their plight and the potential for receiving a grant to replace the one they lost.

Activists argue shelter is a basic human right, and thus these closures are inhumane and must be reversed for the protection of the homeless community of Seattle.

If you are interested in helping homeless in your community, please visit these sites to see how you can start making a difference:
http://www.sharewheel.org/
http://www.backonmyfeet.org/
http://www.upwardboundhouse.org/

October Philanthropy Events

As the first Friday in October, I would like to highlight several charity events which will be occurring throughout the month of October in Los Angeles. These are firsthand opportunities for you to learn, contribute or donate to the issues which matter to you.

1. Creativity Heals Art Auction and Fundraiser Event
Creativity Heals is a fundraising event which supports breast cancer awareness and prevention. The event proposes to demonstrate the healing effects of the arts through local art and live music while also raising funds for breast cancer. There is a suggested donation of $15 without RSVP and $10 with RSVP. This is sure to be a fun and exciting night in the art district of dtla full of live music, djs, art, foodtrucks and support for breast cancer awareness. You can learn more about the event and RSVP at http://www.creativity-heals.org.
Saturday, October 8 @5-10pm Downtown LA
KESSPRO Studios: 435 S Molino St.

2. Yoplait Makes California Families Strong
When you are considering where to purchase your pumpkins this October, consider Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in West Hollywood. Yoplait has partnered with Mr. Bones to donate $1.00 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank for every pumpkin sold, up to $10,000. This is a simple way to give back and help others in the Los Angeles community.
Event begins Saturday, October 8 @9:00am through the end of October.

3. Beats for Boobs Los Angeles
Once again, raising funds for breast cancer this month, Beats for Boobs is hosting an event full of art, fashion, food and music at Los Angeles' Key Club. Enjoy local artists, djs, chefs and more in support of LA breast cancer foundations: Busted Foundation and Boarding for Breast Cancer Survivor Scholarship Fund.
Wednesday, October 19 @7:00pm
Key Club West Hollywood

4. Friends Without a Border Presents Passage to Angkor to Benefit the Children of Cambodia
Friends Without a Border hosts its second annual LA gala to benefit Angkor Children's Hospital in Cambodia. The event, held at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, will feature traditional dancing by the Khmer Arts Ensemble as well as hors d'oeuvres and cocktails influenced by the Khmer region of Cambodia. Funds will be raised through tickets, sponsorships and both a live and silent auction. For more information about this elegant evening for a great cause, please visit: http://passagetoangkor.eventbrite.com/
Tuesday October 25 @7:00pm
Teddy's at the Roosevelt Hotel


These are just a few of the events being held this month throughout Los Angeles. To see a more comprehensive list of events in Los Angeles please visit: www.events.la.com and get involved!

The Charitable Deduction

Over the past year, Obama's charitable deduction proposal has been a topic of contention for those in the non-profit sector. The charitable deduction was proposed as a means to alleviate the current deficit and provide funding for programs which would improve the current unemployment rate. Currently, the top income bracket is given a tax break of 35% on charitable donations. The charitable deduction would take this 35% down to 28%, a 7% decrease. This video, posted by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, clearly and simply explains what this could mean for donors, and how it could potentially effect their willingness to give. However, I would like to note that there is a visible bias in the information presented and this does not necessarily reflect my personal point of view.

The question for most of us is, whether or not this 7% cut will effect charitable giving. In an article by NPR from February 2011, they outline two ways of looking at the current charitable giving tax break: "To some, it's a subsidy for giving. To others, it's a much-needed incentive for people to give to nonprofits that provide services that the government either can't or won't." Depending on your side of the coin, you may see the charitable deduction proposal as having a more or less detrimental impact. Is the tax benefit a reward for generosity? Or rather a necessity to compensate for areas where the government is lacking service? If you support the latter, this 7% cut is comparable to school budget cuts or other areas where the government has cut funding in order to finance areas they deem more immediately necessary in this economic downturn.

However, before we all start to panic about this 7% cut, there is historical evidence to support the fact that a decrease in tax breaks for the wealthy will not significantly effect charitable giving. In the 1980's, President Reagan presented a similar deduction which resulted in minimal, if any, changes in charitable giving.

Ultimately, your decision on which side you take weighs on which issues you deem more immediately important. Should we work on our national fiscal situation now so we can solve the problems of the world tomorrow? Or are there greater, worldwide issues that cannot wait for us to climb out of our economical crisis? This moral quandary is one for you to decide.

For more specific information and detailed studies on tax breaks and their effect on charitable giving visit: http://philanthropy.com/article/Tax-PolicyGiving-A/129165/

National Public Radio: What Will the Future Hold?

Following the controversial resignation of CEO Vivian Schiller, National Public Radio has announced Gary E. Knell as their new President and CEO. Knell is the former CEO of the nonprofit organization behind the children's television program, Sesame Street. Upon first glance this may seem an unlikely choice, however, Knell seems to be a fitting choice for the direction of NPR.


Knell has been employed by Sesame Workshop since 1989, and has sat at the head of the organization as CEO since 2000. Under his leadership the organization has continued to thrive and grow, holding on to a top seat in the children's television industry, despite the major influx of new programming. He has proven to be a strong leader in developing funds, a skill that NPR will surely appreciate in the wake of recent political backlash against the news source.


Over the past year, NPR has faced controversial press surrounding the topic of their political bias. Some have accused the partially federal-funded news source of displaying a liberal bias, a position which is highly unsettling to the Republican Party. Recent events have served as evidence for this opinion and thus fueled Republican House representatives attempts to end federal-funding for the organization. Although this was unsuccessful, Republicans are attempting to create a plan which would wean NPR off federal funding by 2014.


For those unaware of the events which have led to this polarization against NPR, it is based on a few widely publicized incidents. The first incident was the termination of news analyst Juan Williams after he made a statement on Fox News Channel, where he served as a paid contributor, that the sight of travelers dressed in traditional Muslim garb on airplanes made him nervous. The second incident was the consequence of a sting by political activist James O'Keefe where a top fund raiser for NPR was caught on tape making negative comments about conservatives and the tea party as well as questioning the value of federal funding for NPR. This tape quickly became highly visible, although editing of the original footage contributed to the power and effect of what O'Keefe intended the public to see. As a consequence of these two events, Vivian Schiller was asked to resign by NPR's board. Although the board admittedly regretted the decision, they felt it was necessary to start a clean slate for the organization if there was to be hope for their continued growth and success.


This story is yet again another example of the polarization of the current political infrastructure and the need to find a middle ground. As NPR takes steps forward with their new CEO they must be careful to keep a watchful eye on their representation. However, the news source must also remain true to their original goals and mission: "to work in partnership with member stations to create a more informed public - one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas and cultures," and should not attempt to over-compensate in favor of conservatives in order to recover from these negative events. There will always be two sides to every story, and that is what makes news valuable and interesting.