Thoughtful Giving: Philanthropy as Civic Engagement

What is Thoughtful Giving?

Thoughtful Giving is a reading and discussion program conducted by the Georgia Humanities Council. It brings civic groups together to explore the intersections of giving, serving, and civic life through readings and facilitated discussion (also known as Civic Reflection). Readings are selected from a variety of sources including works of fiction, history, poetry, biography, and sacred texts.

The purpose of the conversation is allow participants to explore their own thoughts about giving and to examine the written perspectives of others to extend, clarify, or bring forth additional questions about their own philanthropic understanding and vision.

Thoughtful Giving can take place at any time, but is at its best when conducted as a series of conversations or in a weekend/evening retreat format.

Why Thoughtful Giving?

Thoughtful Giving is a powerful tool that can be used in combination with others as part of your board or staff development, in strategic planning or as a donor education program or service.

This project is based on an emerging body of research that shows that civic groups (such as foundations, giving circles, nonprofit boards, service clubs or others who are engaged in shared public service) can benefit from coming together to reflect on the nature of their common work.

If we actually take time to think about our giving, we may begin to give better!

**Participants in Thoughtful Giving:**

Experience a deeper exploration of various aspects of philanthropy.
Become more engaged in their philanthropic work through:
- increased participation in discussions
- attendance at meetings
- increased philanthropic giving.
Recognize/reaffirm the value of their shared work.
Increase their confidence in being able critically direct their philanthropy
May solidify or change their own philanthropic direction
Challenge peers to also become more thoughtful in their giving

How do I start?

Step 1: Pull together a small group of no more than 12-25 people engaged in shared civic work (donors, volunteers, staff, boards, civic organization members).

Step 2: Find a person to facilitate the discussion (do it yourself or bring in a trained facilitator).

Step 3: Pick a text to discuss.

Step 4: Select a date to meet, find a comfortable location, and serve food.

Additional Resources:

To find readings-

We recommend the following anthologies and web resource:

Giving Well, Doing Good by Dr. Amy Kass
The Civically Engaged Reader by the Project on Civic Reflection
The Perfect Gift by Dr. Amy Kass
The Project on Civic Reflection- www.civicreflection.org

To find funds-

Little money is required to get started. You may only need money for food and a facilitator or just food (if one of your own can function as facilitator). Georgia Humanities Council special program grants may be used to secure a facilitator and to purchase texts, if you are a non-profit organization in Georgia.

To find a facilitator-

Contact Jamila Smith Owens, Senior Program Officer, Georgia Humanities Council, jrsmith@georgiahumanities.org, 404-523-6220 ext. 12.
Jamila is a trained facilitator that can be called upon to lead discussions. There are also four additional facilitators in the state that she can put you in touch with about leading your discussion.
Humanities scholars at universities may also make wonderful facilitators.

For training-

Contact the Project on Civic Reflection- http://www.civicreflection.org

Program Coordinator : Jamila Smith Owens, Senior Program Officer, 404-523-6220 ext. 12; jrsmith@georgiahumanities.org

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