I'm coming Out as a Philanthropist
O.k. what i am about to disclose is not supported by my family, but it feels right and yes, somehow my politics turned out more progressive than my sister's - who used to dress up in leather and heels and go to the local underground rock club and sneak out and do drugs and wear all black and write amazing poems and date cool, weird guys. But She IS supportive, I just mean that she wouldn't think to do what I'm doing. So somewhere along the way my view on life turned outward and ever since attending a conference this last Nov for young progressive people with assets (or wealth), I have decided to start a giving circle with the Crossroads Fund. Giving Circles can be as informal or formal as you want them to be, that's what is so cool about them. You pool your money and pick the cause that you want to support. Your mom may be apart of one, they often are. So I have initiated the first step by sending out letters to people whom i've known for years, whose organizing, artistic, political or educational work I respect - and who work themselves as independent artists, activists or educators - and who might have time for such an effort. I HAVE TWELVE PEOPLE JUMPING ABOARD WITH ME! I am SO ecstatic cause I was terrified no one would say yes, and that I'd be doing this all alone. But I think the catch was the part about organizing this group also to want to talk about important issues, about race and class and gender and oppression and things that plague us in the world. And yes, it won't all be white people and since most everyone is only pitching in like $50-100 dollars (except me who has pledged seed support for the next 3 years), it's not a rich charity thing. We'll be focusing on funding independent creative social justice projects that are initiated outside the non-profit structure, so we'll become more participants in the process and help collaborative groups of individuals find fiscal sponsors or other means of support. I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!