National Philanthropy Day 2023
Established through a Statute in Canadian Parliament, National Philanthropy Day takes place each year on November 15…
For almost 20 years, I have been working to promote the idea that sharing cookies, performing random acts of kindness, going about your day with a smile on your face and a spirit of generosity in your heart can help us build a stronger, more caring, Canada.
Between 2005 and 2017, it was my privilege to serve as Executive Director of the Banff Canmore Community Foundation.
Since leaving that office, I have been channeling my positive energy into reading, writing and influencing ideas that are more than philanthropic – they are essential to our collective best.
More than philanthropic? More than charity?
Yes. Like any good idea, I am afraid that noble philanthropic intent sometimes carries baggage, practices and transactional perspectives that can get skewed by power, money and politics. Alas, I am now convinced that rather than move the needle in official philanthropic discourse, I can better serve my town with gratitude and promote an even better strategy for women, children, men, other in a spirit of everyone. Each of us – all together.
Businesses, individuals, charitable groups large or small – when we build relationships and common understanding of our place in the world that encourages, empathy trust, and compassion, we are going to get farther down the road of a better future best. Believing in the power of possibilities and positivity requires that we bring a mindset of abundance, belief in minor miracles and a commitment to our shared humanity. I have been trying my best and I can’t say enough about the encouragement of people who have given me a lift over the years. High Fives and Thank you. What a lot of cookies, smiles and heavy lifting we have done!
From BCF Annual Report 2013: Community conversations, community grant-making, Jane’s Walks, Science Fairs, Young Adult Programming, Community Greenhouses – yay us!
To paraphrase the words of positive psychology advocate, Dr. Martin Seligman: Gratitude is the great rhizome that connects us as human beings. Gratitude connects us to each other, to our place in the world and to our ecology – emotional, physical, spiritual, social, cultural – the whole nine yards. Gratitude is a basic human emotion and a muscle that needs training. Leaning into its power takes commitment and effort and believe me, this work is not for sissies!
Yes. National Philanthropy Day is today, November 15 – got something in mind? For sure – go be kind! Bake some cookies. Invite a friend for coffee. Write a thank you note to someone far away. Send a text. Make a phone call. Be prepared to suffer rejection and criticism. Don’t stop and just keep going.
I’ve had some wins, some dings to the ego, some fantastically exhilarating moments and some profound moments of pausing for sober reflection. That’s not unusual for any of us. But right here, right now? I am looking in the mirror and feeling the glow of gratitude for all of the people who have helped me get to this point in time.
An Ecology of Gratitude: Writing your way to what Matters was launched two years ago – November 15, 2021
Now I am ready to launch my second publication: Gratitude Ignition Guide: Notes for My Leadership Self. Virtual Launch party on November 20 at noon, Mountain Time. I would love to have you attend and please register here; Because you are invited! Author copies have been ordered and are winging their way to Banff, once a few more glitches get resolved.
Looking back, savouring this moment, looking ahead, there are many moments of joy in my photo library that is full of memories, philanthropic initiatives and many good vibrations that conjure deep and profound feelings of satisfaction.
Good ideas take time to percolate. Sending down deep roots into the soil is the way to build a strong tree. Now, Grassroots Gratitude is my project and the sum total of all of the good words, harsh words, loving vibrations and moments of extreme disappointment that have hardened my resolve. Together – we can do better. And we must keep trying to be kind.
November 2019 – The Women’s Philanthropy Project that we imagined could take wings. COVID taught us that we were not allowed to socialize — even though our group of almost 50 women thought face-to-face meeting in a spirit of kindness was actually quite refreshing. Where are we now? Still here and still pushing the agenda.
On Wednesday November 29, meet me at Wild Life Distillery for a ticketed event that is again celebrating good things in small places. Limited to 35 people. Buy your ticket today! The rest of this post is a mish and a mash of some philanthropic, good will and generous moments of community love. Enjoy – and consider joining us on GivingTuesday – thanks to Ashton Construction Services for offering to buy us a muffin and a coffee. And as ever, the invitation is open to all: Join me in imagining…
Did you join us? November 2019. Thanks to the Banff YWCA for hosting us and The Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation for indulging us with a gift of wine.
Smiling community helpers, Nancy DaDalt and Katie Fedoration delivering cookies on a Banff Community Foundation Random Act of Kindness Day. December 2012
The Philanthropy Project’s moment of Lift. January 2020. We were off to a great start – until COVID deflated us. Thanks to all who added their goof willingness.
Share. Help. Inspire. Nurture. Enrich. SHINE was one our signature projects. In collaboration with the Town of Banff, Banff Ideas Bank and Banff Volunteer Centre, the foundation celebrated the everyday heros in our community between 2013 and 2017. Five years. Fifty faces of people who helped spread kindness in our community and Banff had is sesqui-centennial celebration and poster on the side of IGA building.
Shining star and unsung hero, our now Mayor Corrie DiManno was essential to SHINE’s success. Photojournalist. Civic enthusiast. Everyday leader of huge proportions – thanks @Corriekiddo
Mentorship. Leadership. Networking. Sharing intellectual capital with generosity of spirit. Thanks, Bellas. Gratitude is Growing
Next up?
GivingTuesday – ‘the world’s largest generosity movement’. Don’t pretend you have nothing to give. Time, talent, treasure – no gift is too small. The thought and intention behind every word spoken, written or whispered is a chance to make a difference. If you would like to learn more, visit http://www.givingtuesday.ca. If you would like to join a local coffee party, generously sponsored by Ashton Construction Services and co-ordinated by Grassroots Gratitude, register here.
