by Kari Young

When I found out that Giving Anonymously wanted me to call people and tell them they had anonymous gifts waiting for them, I felt like I’d won the lottery. I was giddy for weeks, and felt like Santa Claus every time I made a phone call.  Listening to recorded thank you messages and forwarding them to the gift-givers was even better – each one felt like a special gift that I was privileged to hear and be a part of.

As a stay at home mom, I spent the last four years immersed in diapers, giggling kiddos, twinkle twinkle little star and yes, even some whining & temper tantrums. (Make that LOTS of whining and temper tantrums.) Before having kids, I had worked extensively with non-profits, doing everything from volunteer management to fundraising to web marketing.  Getting the opportunity to volunteer and use all my old skills again felt incredible. (My brain still worked! I’d had my doubts….)

Giving Anonymously fascinates me.  With my background in fundraising, I have heard a lot about what compels people to be generous and give their time & finances.  Many times I was incredulous – Did you know that studies have shown people donate the most when they are sent a letter that is a) super long (one study had the best response from a FIFTEEN page letter!)  and b) mailed repeatedly -  at least 10 times.   All those super annoying gimmicks (sticky notes, red lettering, multiple P.S. notes at the end of the letter) are in fundraising letters because they work.  Fundraising has become this crazy science, full of research, statistics and is practically an industry – and it sort of depressed me.  People donate because my letter is four pages instead of two?  That seems like such a rotten reason to be generous.  What about a connection, passion even for the cause?

All this to say – the reasons people choose to give and be generous, is a topic I love to think about. I observe it in my own life as well. So many times I knew a friend needed financial help and I balked at the uncertainty of sneaking cash into their mail. Or there was a cause I felt passionate about, but didn’t do anything because it seemed to much work when I had a baby screaming on my lap. I almost didn’t even offer to help with Giving Anonymously because I didn’t think it would fit into our busy schedule. In the end, I was so excited about what they were doing, I couldn’t help but get involved, and I have loved every moment of it.

So how can we get people to give more generously? By sending them fifteen letters with lots of fake handwriting, six P.S. notes at the bottom and free address labels? How do you inspire people who are bombarded with sad stories of people needing help multiple times a day? We spend so much of our time isolated from others and I think that has affected our generosity as well.  We often rely on other people to care for those in need – organizations, the government, international aid and never come in contact with those we are trying to help.  It feels like no one needs us personally, they just want our money.  So we hand over check after check and wonder what really ended up happening with it.

I think relationship is the key to generosity. It immediately connects you to a cause, whether it is a sick friend raising funds for cancer or a homeless person who touched your life and inspired you to give to a soup kitchen. A trip to Kenya suddenly has you researching all the ways you could help in that area.  That is the part of giving that I love.  The excitement of feeling like you really can make a difference and understanding exactly what the money you donate is going to do.

That is why I love Giving Anonymously. I love how it demands a personal connection in your generosity. I love that it is a new way of giving, a new way of inspiring people to act on their impulses to help others. I am so excited to see it grow, catch on and hopefully become a cultural shift to give generously to those you meet in your everyday life.

Hello Everyone!  Let me introduce you to some of the amazing people who work at Giving Anonymously.

Lionel & Misha

This is Lionel, he’s our executive director and chief visionary.   He and his wife Misha, pictured with him, started Giving Anonymously in 2005.  Since those beginning years, Giving Anonymously has grown immensely and now they’re dedicated to it’s development full time.  They love hosting friends in their home and enjoying the northwest outdoors with their two children.

Jen

This is Jen.  If you’ve gotten a thank you message from the recipient of your gift, it’s because she processed and sent it to you.  She loves cooking, riding her motorcycle, and sailing in the San Juans with her husband and two teens.

Val

Say hello to Val.  For those of you who couldn’t believe that getting an anonymous gift in the mail, with no strings attached, was actually true, you probably asked Val a lot of questions when she called you to tell you a check was coming.  She understands how strange it can be, and enjoys telling people that the good news is indeed true.  She’s an avid Seahawks fan, even when they lose, loves to use everyday items in new ways to decorate, and enjoys golfing with her husband in her spare time.

Kari

And here’s Kari, our Volunteer Coordinator.  Kari is an avid gardener, a mother of two preschoolers, and is not-so secretly obsessed with absolutely everything to do with food.  On weekends you can often find her hunting down fresh seasonal ingredients and cooking something outrageous with them.  She enjoys rallying people to help Giving Anonymously in times when things get really busy.

Pete & Sarah

My name is Sarah, and this is my husband, Pete.  Pete works as our General Manager here at Giving Anonymously.  He’s a long-distance runner, creative photographer, and lived on a hospital ship in Africa for several months after university.  He’s a closet romantic and actually proposed to me in a rowboat in the middle of a field.  Doesn’t that make you smile?

I love frozen cherries, sunshine, and all things bright red.  I’m enjoying my new role at Giving Anonymously as Communications and PR Manager, and it makes my day to hear from you all.

In addition to those we have introduced here, we have a whole host of others who have given their time, talents, and resources to the work of Giving Anonymously.  We absolutely couldn’t do it without them!  And finally, we are also so grateful that an organization like Giving Anonymously can even exist.   Here’s to the amazing and gracious people who generously give to those around them and take no recognition for it, apart from the joy of making someone’s life a little easier.  Cheers to you.