The Philanthropic Family

I am person #220 to join the “29-Day Giving Challenge.”  I just learned about this project from another WordPress blog and think it’s absolutely fantastic.  Here’s the gist: when you join the challenge, you agree to give something away every day for the next 29 days.  It can be money, time, things, wisdom, love, or anything else you can think of.  Anything that comes from your heart. 

How it works

You join the 29-Day Giving Challenge network on Ning (a friend gave me a recent Fast Company magazine describing the explosive growth of Ning networks so, unlike me, you probably already belong to at least one other Ning network).  Then you can write entries about your experiences each day, sharing your gifts and seeing what others have done. At the end of the challenge, on day 30, you write a post explaining what you did and what you learned.

Why bother? 

Here’s how they explain it:

“Why? Because to see the world change, we have to do something to change the world. Plus, the best way to attract abundance into your life is to be in a perpetual state of giving and gratitude. Be an important part of the global giving movement that inspires more generosity on our planet.”

Some Inspiration

One woman gave books to the local library.  Another gave her husband a haircut.  One person gave her friend copies of “Planet Earth” to watch. Some people talk about listening to friends who need an ear, and other acts of kindness.  Not a lot of people giving money, although some do.  In part it seems to be about discovering how much we really have to give, even if we don’t have money. 

The woman who started the challenge, Cami Walker, is a former Marketing professional now working with women entrepreneurs.  She started this challenge in March of 2008.  I have a feeling that by March of 2009 she’ll have thousands of members.  I hope you’ll be one. 

Now I need to go think about what I’m going to give tomorrow.