Nervous, Passion, Non-Profit

I remember the first time I wrote a significant check to a non-profit. I sat on the board of a large non-profit event and I was a table captain responsible for filling the seats at my table. The event attracts 1,500 attendees, minimum donation is $360, but the event raises $1.5MM, so the average donation is $1,000. My donation was much closer to the minimum, but I watched others write checks that had a comma in the donation amount.

A year went by and again I found myself at the non-profit event as a table captain. I wondered what it would be like to write a check large enough that I noticed the funds leaving my checking account. So, I wrote a check in an amount that made me nervous.

At the end of that year the amount of my donation was just a line item on my taxes. The donation amount didn’t negatively change my lifestyle; I still took vacations, traveled, went out to dinner, nobody in my family suffered or ever knew what I had done. The amount I donated didn’t impact my lifestyle in any way.

However, I did receive some unexpected positive consequences. Because of the amount I donated I was invited to events that only individuals who donate larger amounts are invited to, these events are largely attended by higher net worth individuals and people more senior in their respective careers. I was also invited to sit on other high-profile non-profit boards thereby exposing me to many fascinating people with passion for driving social change.

The donation also changed me. I realized I can give more freely, I feel I’m less selfish and I’m more giving with my time, expertise and the like. Ultimately, I like whom I’ve evolved into being.

A new year is upon us. What is your passion? What are you going to do about it?