{"id":3749,"date":"2017-06-10T17:19:56","date_gmt":"2017-06-10T17:19:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/?p=3749"},"modified":"2019-07-28T20:22:53","modified_gmt":"2019-07-28T20:22:53","slug":"get-philanthropic-groove","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/get-philanthropic-groove\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Your Philanthropic Groove On"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Linda DeWolf<\/em><\/p>\n

Along the way we have learned that each of our philanthropic journeys involves a process that is beautifully unique.\u00a0<\/span>There is no special formula, no A-to-Z manual. Each experience unfolds in its own mysterious way like a great book and perhaps most important of all, it cannot be rushed.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Many of us search for ways in which we can make a difference and bring meaning to our lives, but the reality is that most of us really don\u2019t know where or even how to begin the process.\u00a0<\/strong>GoPhil Co-Founders were no different.<\/p>\n

\"\"Lydia Dean<\/strong> joined a volunteer trip some years ago to an orphanage in India and returned home questioning whether her time, resources and intellect could have benefitted the children at the orphanage she visited in a better way. She developed ideas around a newly burgeoning concept\u2014 philanthropic travel, in which people learn about, visit and directly support the work of NGOs while traveling.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Tracey Morrell<\/strong>, who had a long history of world travel and had children growing a bit older, wondered just how she could take her for-profit skills and apply them to the not-for-profit arena in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n

And me, Linda DeWolf<\/strong>? Well, I was in the midst of early retirement a few years ago and spent some time sorting through what the next chapter of my life might look like, tapping into my passions of international travel, philanthropy, children\/women\u2019s issues and art.<\/p>\n

Unique paths would lead us to what would later be our collective effort: the creation of GoPhilanthropic Foundation.<\/p>\n

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While not everyone looking for fulfillment creates a foundation, we do know through talking to the wonderful folks we meet through GoPhil, that many want to be engaged in some way and are often just not sure how to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve read Lydia\u2019s book ‘Jumping<\/span> the<\/span> Picket<\/span> Fence’<\/span><\/a> and was inspired, but am not sure where to begin.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI am not sure what\u2019s the \u2018best\u2019 way to focus my time, energy and resources.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI am looking for something that really fuels my passions.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI get involved\/give to lots of charities but never really feel like I am making a significant impact.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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\nOver the course of time we have had the privilege of listening deeply and talking with many individuals who are on their own philanthropic journey. Along the way we have learned that each of our philanthropic journeys involves a process that is beautifully unique. There is no special formula, no A-Z manual\u2014each experience unfolds in its own mysterious way like a great book. And maybe most important of all, it can\u2019t be rushed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

So how to begin? Most people start with a period of self-discovery, one that involves figuring out what we love, what makes us go. Surprisingly, many people aren\u2019t clear on what they are truly passionate about or how they will know if they are making a difference. Sometimes just a few simple questions, such as those included here, can prompt a dialogue that will get the juices flowing.<\/p>\n

\"\"BEGIN WITH YOU: YOUR INTERESTS AND PASSIONS<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

One person we talked with had been giving, both time and money, to a wide variety of different programs when he realized that he felt spread too thin and needed to reassess his efforts, focusing more on his #1 passion of education and mentoring.<\/p>\n