I recently learned of an organization called “The Secret Society for Creative Philanthropy (SSCP).” It was established in 2006 and headquartered in New York. They also have branches in San Francisco, CA and Athens, GA. Their goal is “The giving is small and random, for sure, but the joy and inspiration it causes, both for the givers and recipients of the gifts, is anything but minor-league.”
Regardless of how elaborate, kooky and ambitious the projects of SSCP are, immediately behind them is the common belief in that simple truth: giving can do good; it can do great good. That SSCP brings together such a creative, diverse bunch — many of whom had never met each other — to celebrate the good that comes from giving was a powerful gift in itself, one for which I’m deeply grateful.
What I like about this group is that you don’t have to be rich to be a philanthropist…just have a giving heart! To be a creative philanthropist, one must simply give (which is a great and you should do this). To be in the Secret Society, one must be gifted $100 by a CP Agent, give that money away in the best and most creative way one sees fit, and convene at the top secret annual meeting to tell one’s story of philanthropic adventure.
As the story goes, once upon a time there was a girl. She had a lot of anxiety about money — who has it, who doesn’t, how we decide that this is fair. This anxiety became even more pronounced when she, herself, was suddenly gifted with more money than she had ever dreamed of making.
She bought all of her friends pizza. But all the cheesy goodness in the world could not quiet the nagging voice in her head that asked: Why me? How and when and in what way is the best way to share?
The girl didn’t know much, but she had a hunch that giving should be joyful. She also knew that her friends were good at joy, so she gave ten of them $100 each and asked them to give it away in some creative manner, then come to a bar and share the story. They did. They were beautiful and good and thoughtful and reminded her that every difficult question is better entertained with friends.
The next year, to her surprise, many of these ten friends gave away $100 to their friends, who gave in creative ways and came to tell their stories. The answers multiplied and the family grew. And keeps on growing…
Some of the folks have found creative ways to give like:
- Fruits of the 10 new agents included altruism postcards made and sent,
- 25 micro donations to NPR
- 50 videotaped $2 conversations among strangers
- care packages (think junk food, books, and celeb magazines) sent to kids serving abroad for the first time
- the doling out free umbrellas on a misty day
- a light rail station dollar giveaway
- a $50 tip to a kind cab driver
- a $100 tip for an aerobics instructor who opens up his studio each month to kids from low-incoming communities
- drinks on the house to commemorate and celebrate life
- street musician donations
- 100-year savings account where a modest investment will grow for a century.
It feels good giving!
Photo Credit
“Turtleneck” Daquella manera @ Flickr.com. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.
Recent Phyllis Wilson Articles:
- Dear Wayne
- What Is Your Greatest Strength?
- The Purpose of Life is a Life of Purpose
- Have You Checked In With The Person In The Mirror Lately?
- Soul Food
[…] It Feels Good Giving! You Don't Have to be Rich to Be Generous … […]