Why I Give Local

An image of six teens in front a sheet cake that says “Congratulations” from the 2013 graduation of youth cyclers from one of my original fave local/small orgs, Neighborhood Bike Works, which I served on the Board of for four lovely years. Hooray for NBW!

A few years ago, as the holidays approached and me and my fellow nonprofit-based family members all got on our Giving Tuesday bandwagons, a conversation started to emerge about how we each share our money. A generational divide began to show - a bit of the old guard versus the young radicals (note: the “youngest” here is 30). The older generation gave to known, trusted institutions - the World Wildlife Fund, the ACLU, WNYC. My generation gave to grassroots organizations. And on this Giving Tuesday 2019, I encourage you to get on my level.

First I want to say - of course I respect these organizations. There is great power (and responsibility, ahem) in being a behemoth social justice advocate. They can make waves like few small organizations can. But their power also gives them access to money. Real money. Big money. They can get in the room with millionaires and, sometimes, billionaires. I promise you, Planned Parenthood Federation will not go down if you do not give them your $25. It may make them work a little harder to get to that big money, but they’ll survive. Your local clinic may not.

And that’s why I give small and local: because, frankly, they need it more. Cash donations are, generally, unrestricted funds that small organizations can use on whatever it is they most need, not tied to a programmatic goal. And unrestricted funds are hard for small organizations to get, since many small organizations rely on grants for the vast majority of their budget. I also give local because I want to give money to leaders of color, who are drastically underfunded and undersupported and let’s be honest - most of the large organizations are led by rich, white people.

I encourage you, then, to take whatever mission you care about and find the local version of the big thing. Give to your local Planned Parenthood clinic (they all manage their own fundraising and budgets), or give to a nearby independent clinic. Give to your local legal services program for low income folks. If you live in a big city and it feels like all the local things are also national things a) I bet there’s a tiny org nearby you can find anyway helping your neighborhood or b) go elsewhere. Send your money to Flint, MI. Find to the refugee program in rural Ohio. Think about your hometown and what populations need help there, then find the organizations who are doing it.

People talk about due diligence in where to send your money - that you should look at financial records and Board members and proof of success. That’s not how I think of philanthropy. I want to give money where it would not otherwise go and to the people whose work is not acknowledged. I want demonstration not of money well spent but values well lived. Leaders who are trusted and loved in their communities and organizations who are on the ground.

I love giving away money (love it! One of my faves!). I don’t have much to give*, though, so I give what I can to small organizations who I believe will take it and run. I encourage you to do the same. It’s really fun.**

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*We can talk about my own generational wealth and privilege etc. but I mean in a very practical bank account kind of way here.
** If you, like me, enjoy giving your money away. To each her own I guess.