Just give

The more we know, the harder it can be to choose.  It's hard for the educators I know to choose schools for their children.  Doctors are notoriously bad at taking care if their own health issues.

I have this problem with philanthropy.  A couple of years ago, when my kids voted to give their tzedakah to help "hungry people", I was overwhelmed with what that meant.  And the choices.  And the altitude.  Should we buy food at a pantry?  Should we buy someone a goat from Heifer International? Finally, I went to an expert - a friend who works allocating money in the areas of poverty.  She recommended a local NY organization where our couple of hundred of dollars (of change) would make a difference.  We made the gift, and indeed, got a lovely personalized thank you note back.

There are several organizations we give to as a family.  Like most people, some have to do with our personal interests.  Some are in support of friends and their causes.  Some come from my professional understanding of the work and desire for impact.

And then some just speak to our heart and guts.  This is hard to do as a professional.  The non-profit professional in me wants to analyze every gift.  Wants to be an investor, not a donor. Wants to give the homeless person on the subway a laminated card of resources along with my dollar.  Wants to leverage every dollar we commit.

But at my gut, I'm not a non-profit professional, I'm a person.  A person who is very affected by what I see and feel around me.  Every year, I re-read and do some version of Jon Carroll's brilliant Untied Way.  Just put cash in my pocket and give it to whomever asks.  Without thinking or judgement.

The fundraisers I know who work for causes that aren't so, well, sexy, often get frustrated by people's personal commitment to causes that touched them.  I get it.  I really do.  I used to have a lot of the same frustration.

Then one of the strongest people I know, my sister J, lost a baby to SIDS.  And an extraordinary organization - First Candle - provided her family with support through the tragedy.  Every year, I make a gift in her son's memory.  At her oldest son's bar mitzvah a couple of weeks ago, he spoke of his commitment to the organization in tears.  Have I ever looked at their 990?  Nope.  Do I have a full understanding of what they do?  Definitely not.  Could I tell you that it is the best investment for people who care about infant mortality? Not sure.  They were there for my family, though, and I will continue to be there for them.

Sometimes, we just need to give.  I encourage you all to do so this holiday season.  Don't invest.  Just pick something that you believe in and write a check.  It'll make you feel good.