Twenty-two years ago, I was hired to lead an organization
created by Virginia Brazeau and the R.S. Brazeau Family Foundation – South Wood
County Community Foundation – known today as Incourage. Virginia’s vision of an organization designed
to meet the changing needs of the community and philanthropy that was by
the people, for the people was intriguing to me.
As I close out my final days at Incourage and reflect on what
I have experienced and learned, I am reminded of a 2014 talk by Ambassador
James Joseph. His comments were inspiring,
thought provoking, and genuine. I
remember one quote in particular and in fact, I have carried it with me for the
past five years. It ends most every
presentation I have given in recent years, inspires me, and challenges me. It embodies what I have come to learn and
understand as the true meaning of philanthropy.
He said,
When neighbors help
neighbors, and even when strangers help strangers, both those who help and
those who are helped are transformed. When that which was their problem becomes
our problem, there is a new connectedness and new forms of community are
possible.
Let’s think about this for a minute. “When that which was their problem becomes
our problem”…not a problem we have to fund or fix; but rather a problem that is
shared, a problem that demands a solution crafted through a common
understanding of the issues and of what is at stake, a problem that will only
be eliminated when we recognize that our personal future is intertwined in the
future of others.
These ideas have important implications for the
future of philanthropy. Philanthropy must
be about more than money. It is not a transaction
or transfer of wealth from the haves to the have nots. It is not about doing to or for. Rather, philanthropy is about doing with,
doing together, and doing alongside. At its core, philanthropy is about love and
relationship; and community philanthropy is about love of each other and
this place.
Together, over the past 22 years, we have done some remarkable
things in this community. We inspired
innovation, challenged the status quo, and collectively discovered new ways
forward in the face of significant economic disruption. These experiences have helped us grow in our
understanding of community, our appreciation for diverse viewpoints and
perspectives, our sensitivity to implicit bias, and our understanding of love
and kindness. I have had the privilege to participate in and
witness the power of building trusting relationships based in love for
each other and our community.
I am hopeful that these experiences have shaped how
we think about the future, particularly because the issues that face
communities – including ours – are challenging, contentious, and dare I say,
divisive. It is only when we fully
embrace problems such as income inequality, poverty, food insecurity, and
environmental degradation as collective problems, problems that belong to us
all, that we will make headway in creating a community that works well for all.
I continue to be hopeful and inspired by a new
generation of people in our community – and our nation – who expect to be part
of the solution to challenge and to capitalize on opportunities. People who are committed to doing with,
and who recognize philanthropy as an expression of love, of value, of faith,
and hope in humankind.
It has been an honor and a privilege to have spent
the last 22 years stewarding Virginia Brazeau’s vision. I am a better person for having had this
experience and leave this position with gratitude and deep appreciation to all
who have shared the journey.
Kelly
