Today is Valentine's Day. It is a day meant to celebrate love shared. On this Valentine's Day I write about loved shared between two sisters - Abigail and Aimee Sandler.
The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a story today on the front page of the Health section. Written by Stacey Burling, the story is about Aimee's Bulletin, which is inspired by the life of Aimee Sandler. This law took effect because of the love and dedication of her sister, Abigail.
Aimee was mentally disabled living in group-home. She got very sick in 2006 and that set off a conflict between Aimee's family and the home's administrators. It was then that Abigail raised the question as to who has legal say if families disagree with care providers.
Aimee's Bulletin clarifies how Pennsylvania laws affect decision-making for group-home residents near death who can't make choices. Abigail fought tirelessly for this and since Aimee's Bulletin has been signed she is dedicated to spreading the word to families that the Bulletin exists and that they have the ability to make decisions for their loved ones.
The Philadelphia Inquirer story can be read here.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Night Out With Meaning: Building a Family
Last night I hosted Night Out With Meaning; a series of evenings for women to be inspired by the stories of women like Sue Badeau.
Surrounded by 35 women, Sue told her family's story through pictures and metaphors. She shared her experiences of adoption, foster care, and the unlikely, but powerful decision to welcome 3 terminally ill children into her family. It was an emotional and inspirational evening. Night Out With Meaning is about learning, connecting and reflecting.
Sue gave each of us a shell and talked about its imperfections and beauty a wonderful metaphor for her 22 children as she told a story about each of them. I have been thinking about her family's journey and their unexpected destination. I have been thinking about choices and fate. I have been thinking about permanence and what a lovely concept it is. I have taken that concept of a permanent family for granted. I have been thinking about unconditional love. One of the biggest takeaways for me hearing Sue's story is that when she encountered something she didn't think was right, she listened to her call to action. Thank you, Sue and thank you to Chelsea, Joelle, SueAnn, Florinda, and Renee. More information on the Badeau family can be found at www.badeaufamily.com.
Consider this an early invitation to you and a friend for the next Night Out With Meaning held on May 12, 2011. The topic of interest is "Empowering Women". I have lined up a truly interesting woman to talk about her journey which started with being the first single, American woman to adopt internationally. Marjorie Margolies joins as our storyteller. She is founder of Women's Campaign International (WCI). Marjorie started WCI in 1998 to help increase the participation of women in political and democratic processes around the world "to make sure there were more women at the table." Marjorie is an Emmy winning journalist, a former Congresswoman, an advocate for women, and a teacher.
Surrounded by 35 women, Sue told her family's story through pictures and metaphors. She shared her experiences of adoption, foster care, and the unlikely, but powerful decision to welcome 3 terminally ill children into her family. It was an emotional and inspirational evening. Night Out With Meaning is about learning, connecting and reflecting.
Sue gave each of us a shell and talked about its imperfections and beauty a wonderful metaphor for her 22 children as she told a story about each of them. I have been thinking about her family's journey and their unexpected destination. I have been thinking about choices and fate. I have been thinking about permanence and what a lovely concept it is. I have taken that concept of a permanent family for granted. I have been thinking about unconditional love. One of the biggest takeaways for me hearing Sue's story is that when she encountered something she didn't think was right, she listened to her call to action. Thank you, Sue and thank you to Chelsea, Joelle, SueAnn, Florinda, and Renee. More information on the Badeau family can be found at www.badeaufamily.com.
Consider this an early invitation to you and a friend for the next Night Out With Meaning held on May 12, 2011. The topic of interest is "Empowering Women". I have lined up a truly interesting woman to talk about her journey which started with being the first single, American woman to adopt internationally. Marjorie Margolies joins as our storyteller. She is founder of Women's Campaign International (WCI). Marjorie started WCI in 1998 to help increase the participation of women in political and democratic processes around the world "to make sure there were more women at the table." Marjorie is an Emmy winning journalist, a former Congresswoman, an advocate for women, and a teacher.
Monday, January 31, 2011
"Productizing" Social Impact Investing
I have been researching and meeting with people involved in social impact investing and I am convinced that this emerging asset class is about to take-off. Social impact investing aims to solve social or environmental problems while generating financial profit. These investments in social enterprises come in many forms – but what has been typical is a private equity structure. The investments range from producing a return of principal capital to offering market-rate or even market-beating financial returns.
A growing number of individuals, families, foundations and pensions believe that the assets set aside for investment should be invested in such a way that supports and complements their philanthropic work and values.
There are organizations and companies in the field who are taking steps to add some infrastructure so that this investment opportunity can be more readily consumed.
Investors Circle is a network of social impact investors who collaborate on deals. They are making strides in adding some infrastructure to this growing segment of the market.
Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) is in the process of creating a data engine that contrasts - and quantifies - the tangible social benefits of these investing opportunities in addition to a more traditional benchmark to gauge financial return. The data engine is set to launch in February.
There is also BLab, which is a Philadelphia-based organization supporting the emergence of the B Corp - B stands for Benefit - this is a formal structure for a social enterprise.
In November of last year, JP Morgan, Rockefeller Foundation and GIIN produced a report called: Impact Investments: An emerging asset class. The report estimates significant market opportunity for impact investment over the next ten years. After analyzing selected segments of five sectors - urban affordable housing, rural access to clean water, maternal health, primary education, and microfinance - serving the population at the "base of the economic pyramid," the authors identify a potential profit opportunity between $183 and $667 billion and a potential investment opportunity between $400 billion and $1 trillion in the next decade for just these segments of the impact investing market.
This is real innovation in philanthropy and something to keep an eye on as the infrastructure continues to grow.
A growing number of individuals, families, foundations and pensions believe that the assets set aside for investment should be invested in such a way that supports and complements their philanthropic work and values.
There are organizations and companies in the field who are taking steps to add some infrastructure so that this investment opportunity can be more readily consumed.
Investors Circle is a network of social impact investors who collaborate on deals. They are making strides in adding some infrastructure to this growing segment of the market.
Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) is in the process of creating a data engine that contrasts - and quantifies - the tangible social benefits of these investing opportunities in addition to a more traditional benchmark to gauge financial return. The data engine is set to launch in February.
There is also BLab, which is a Philadelphia-based organization supporting the emergence of the B Corp - B stands for Benefit - this is a formal structure for a social enterprise.
In November of last year, JP Morgan, Rockefeller Foundation and GIIN produced a report called: Impact Investments: An emerging asset class. The report estimates significant market opportunity for impact investment over the next ten years. After analyzing selected segments of five sectors - urban affordable housing, rural access to clean water, maternal health, primary education, and microfinance - serving the population at the "base of the economic pyramid," the authors identify a potential profit opportunity between $183 and $667 billion and a potential investment opportunity between $400 billion and $1 trillion in the next decade for just these segments of the impact investing market.
This is real innovation in philanthropy and something to keep an eye on as the infrastructure continues to grow.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Next Billion
I love to explore. I love seeing where one Google search takes me. I love how watching one TED talk by the founder of the Acumen Fund, Jacqueline Novogratz, leads me to find NextBillion.net. In their words, Next Billion is a website and blog bringing together the community of business leaders, social entrepreneurs, NGOs, policy makers and academics who want to explore the connection between development and enterprise. It is a discussion forum, networking space and knowledge base for individuals and organizations interested in the "next billion". Their goal is to highlight the development and implementation of business strategies that open opportunities and improve the lives of the world's approximately 4 billion low-income producers and consumers.
Next Billion bases itself on creating business models that engage low income communities as producers and consumers. While development aid and political reform are essential components in poverty eradication, successful business models can sometimes tackle development challenges more quickly and effectively than government and aid mechanisms.
Next Billion uses the term BoP, an acronym for "base of the (economic) pyramid." This term was first introduced by Professors C.K. Prahalad and Stuart Hart in their 2002 article, "The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid." It has come to designate not the poverty but the potential of the world's poorest citizens as entrepreneurs, employees and discerning consumers. It also refers to the approximately four billion people whose incomes are less than $3000 per year (PPP), based on analysis done at the World Resources Institute.
The site has a blog, research, news and career links all related to this idea of
bringing smart enterprise to low income communities so that they become self-sustaining. I have tagged this site on delicious and am following it on LinkedIn and Twitter. Seems like a great resource.
Next Billion bases itself on creating business models that engage low income communities as producers and consumers. While development aid and political reform are essential components in poverty eradication, successful business models can sometimes tackle development challenges more quickly and effectively than government and aid mechanisms.
Next Billion uses the term BoP, an acronym for "base of the (economic) pyramid." This term was first introduced by Professors C.K. Prahalad and Stuart Hart in their 2002 article, "The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid." It has come to designate not the poverty but the potential of the world's poorest citizens as entrepreneurs, employees and discerning consumers. It also refers to the approximately four billion people whose incomes are less than $3000 per year (PPP), based on analysis done at the World Resources Institute.
The site has a blog, research, news and career links all related to this idea of
bringing smart enterprise to low income communities so that they become self-sustaining. I have tagged this site on delicious and am following it on LinkedIn and Twitter. Seems like a great resource.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Night Out With Meaning: Women & Giving
I am thrilled to talk about and promote Night Out With Meaning: Women & Giving; a series of evenings for women to be inspired by the stories of women.
Held at The Philadelphia Cricket Club in February, May and November, each Night Out With Meaning focuses on a topic and features a wonderful storyteller. Night Out With Meaning is for women to connect with others, to learn from extraordinary women through their stories, and to find meaning in personal giving.
Come to one or all of the Nights Out With Meaning and invite a friend so you can continue the conversation!
The second Night Out With Meaning will be held on February 10th at 6:30pm. The topic is "Buidling a Family." Sue Badeau joins as our storyteller. Sue has been working as a child welfare professional for over thirty years. Sue sees a world where every child, regardless of the circumstances or place of birth, race religion, ability or disability has an opportunity to grow strong, deep roots with a family.
The cost of Night Out With Meaning is $65 for dinner including two glasses of wine. To register and pay, go to the Night Out With Meaning page on the harp-weaver website.
Night Out With Meaning is hosted by harp-weaver the firm I recently founded to help individuals and families with their personal giving. I look forward to sharing the Night Out With Meaning with you!
Held at The Philadelphia Cricket Club in February, May and November, each Night Out With Meaning focuses on a topic and features a wonderful storyteller. Night Out With Meaning is for women to connect with others, to learn from extraordinary women through their stories, and to find meaning in personal giving.
Come to one or all of the Nights Out With Meaning and invite a friend so you can continue the conversation!
The second Night Out With Meaning will be held on February 10th at 6:30pm. The topic is "Buidling a Family." Sue Badeau joins as our storyteller. Sue has been working as a child welfare professional for over thirty years. Sue sees a world where every child, regardless of the circumstances or place of birth, race religion, ability or disability has an opportunity to grow strong, deep roots with a family.
The cost of Night Out With Meaning is $65 for dinner including two glasses of wine. To register and pay, go to the Night Out With Meaning page on the harp-weaver website.
Night Out With Meaning is hosted by harp-weaver the firm I recently founded to help individuals and families with their personal giving. I look forward to sharing the Night Out With Meaning with you!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Aimee's Bulletin
Over the course of the past couple of weeks I have come to know two wonderful women - Abigail Sandler and Sue Hoag Badeau. These two women have worked tirelessly on a much needed piece of Pennsylvania legislation called Aimee's Bulletin.
Abby's sister, Aimee, was profoundly developmentally and physically disabled. As a result of horrific, detailed circumstances that surrounded Aimee's Group Home care, Abby with others formed Aimee's Team. For the past four years she has worked towards enhancing the end-of-life decision making process for special needs individuals in Pennsylvania. She refers to the document as Aimee's Bulletin, and it will effect literally thousands of special needs individuals, state-wide. This Bulletin provides a clear policy, with guidance and steps that are morally, medically and legally sound to ensure that end-of-life care can reflect the needs, desires, values and beliefs of the individual and their family members. Harrisburg has promised that the Bulletin will be signed by January 15, 2011.
Wayne Badeau is one of the youngest of Hector and Sue Badeau's 22 children, adopted from all over the world with a variety of life circumstances and challenges. Wayne, one of three terminally ill children adopted by the Badeaus, is delightful and charming with a beautiful smile and engaging spirit. He is also dying. Wayne has a rare terminal illness called San Felipo Syndrome, and while he has already out-lived the medically-expected life-span for this disease, he has definitely declined and it won't be long before he is facing his final days. The Badeaus have already experienced the deaths of their sons Adam (11 years ago this week) and Dylan ( just 3 months ago) and they know how deeply moving, and at the same time painful, it is to experience the death of a child. Wayne is much beloved and adored by his parents, all his siblings and others and we all hope and pray that his final days, when they do begin, will be spent surrounded by family with hugs, love and peace. Yet, because of what they experienced near the end of their son Dylan's life just this past September, they are fearful this may not be the case.
Aimee's Bulletin must be signed. Abby and Sue are working to ensure that it will be signed and Sue and her husband Hector are waiting for the go ahead to take their son Wayne to Harrisburg for the signing.
For more information see: http://badeaufamily.webs.com/
Abby's sister, Aimee, was profoundly developmentally and physically disabled. As a result of horrific, detailed circumstances that surrounded Aimee's Group Home care, Abby with others formed Aimee's Team. For the past four years she has worked towards enhancing the end-of-life decision making process for special needs individuals in Pennsylvania. She refers to the document as Aimee's Bulletin, and it will effect literally thousands of special needs individuals, state-wide. This Bulletin provides a clear policy, with guidance and steps that are morally, medically and legally sound to ensure that end-of-life care can reflect the needs, desires, values and beliefs of the individual and their family members. Harrisburg has promised that the Bulletin will be signed by January 15, 2011.
Wayne Badeau is one of the youngest of Hector and Sue Badeau's 22 children, adopted from all over the world with a variety of life circumstances and challenges. Wayne, one of three terminally ill children adopted by the Badeaus, is delightful and charming with a beautiful smile and engaging spirit. He is also dying. Wayne has a rare terminal illness called San Felipo Syndrome, and while he has already out-lived the medically-expected life-span for this disease, he has definitely declined and it won't be long before he is facing his final days. The Badeaus have already experienced the deaths of their sons Adam (11 years ago this week) and Dylan ( just 3 months ago) and they know how deeply moving, and at the same time painful, it is to experience the death of a child. Wayne is much beloved and adored by his parents, all his siblings and others and we all hope and pray that his final days, when they do begin, will be spent surrounded by family with hugs, love and peace. Yet, because of what they experienced near the end of their son Dylan's life just this past September, they are fearful this may not be the case.
Aimee's Bulletin must be signed. Abby and Sue are working to ensure that it will be signed and Sue and her husband Hector are waiting for the go ahead to take their son Wayne to Harrisburg for the signing.
For more information see: http://badeaufamily.webs.com/
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Need For Philanthropic Advice
New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) and Global Partnership presented the results of a philanthropy survey sent to over 600 single and multi-family offices in the UK between March and May 2010. The results offer insight into the philanthropic nature of some of the UK's wealthiest families. The report titled: Family Philanthropy: rewards and challenges, dives into the philanthropic behavior of high net worth individuals revealing that while the vast majority of such clients like to actively plan their charitable giving there is a clear lack of service providers able to give the full range of advice they require. Wealth management firms largely do not have some provision in place to assist in this planning and are neglecting an important area in clients’ eyes. Fundamental to this planning process is deciding which causes to support and which charities are making an impact. Philanthropists are finding it hard to access the information they need to make informed choices and would welcome input from their advisors.
NPC summarizes the reports key findings as follows:
- Giving back to the community and addressing needs are major motivations for family giving, rather than public recognition.
- Most families have had positive experiences of giving, but highlighted some unfavorable aspects including 'tortuous administration' and fear of being 'actively pursued by charities'.
- 85% of respondents with children under 21 involve them in their giving.
- The main criteria for selecting charities are the charity's vision and strategy and whether it is focused on the greatest need.
- Finding information about charities is a challenge, particularly around the measurement of results.
- Nearly 60% of families would find philanthropy advice useful.
There is a growing need for specialized philanthropic advisors offering services to support wealth managers and family offices. Even though this specific report is UK-based, there have been other similar studies in the US. Howard J. Stock wrote an article titled "Clients Lack Charitable Giving Advice" in October of this year. In it he noted a survey which said that only 52% of advisors are proactively reaching out to clients about their charitable gifting. Of the 48% who are not, 31% said it is because they lack expertise to offer guidance.
This is certainly an untapped opportunity for advisors to strengthen client relationships and grow their practices.
NPC summarizes the reports key findings as follows:
- Giving back to the community and addressing needs are major motivations for family giving, rather than public recognition.
- Most families have had positive experiences of giving, but highlighted some unfavorable aspects including 'tortuous administration' and fear of being 'actively pursued by charities'.
- 85% of respondents with children under 21 involve them in their giving.
- The main criteria for selecting charities are the charity's vision and strategy and whether it is focused on the greatest need.
- Finding information about charities is a challenge, particularly around the measurement of results.
- Nearly 60% of families would find philanthropy advice useful.
There is a growing need for specialized philanthropic advisors offering services to support wealth managers and family offices. Even though this specific report is UK-based, there have been other similar studies in the US. Howard J. Stock wrote an article titled "Clients Lack Charitable Giving Advice" in October of this year. In it he noted a survey which said that only 52% of advisors are proactively reaching out to clients about their charitable gifting. Of the 48% who are not, 31% said it is because they lack expertise to offer guidance.
This is certainly an untapped opportunity for advisors to strengthen client relationships and grow their practices.
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