Your Philanthropy

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Your Philanthropy Journal

Sign up for our bimonthly blog – Your Philanthropy Journal. This free e-publication addresses happenings, hot topics and opinions regarding the nonprofit and grant-making world.

Oct 30 2023

How Hidden Risks Can Make Giving Decisions a Challenge

When I was about three or so years old, my family went for a drive in the Colorado mountains. I think we went for a picnic, but what I remember is jumping out of the...
Oct 17 2023

Five Questions That Will Make Your Giving Meaningful   

Why should you give philanthropically and strive to make a difference? The answer goes beyond different vehicles for giving, choosing the right organizations, and even...
Oct 03 2023

One of Our Greatest Gifts — Our Time!

Dawn Franks has significantly impacted my thinking (and acting) about the ideas of legacy and generosity. When she asked me to consider writing some personal thoughts...
Sep 13 2023

Learning to Honor Lessons From Our Grandparents

Why do we celebrate Grandparents Day? Grandparents are cool. I vote we celebrate all month long! Originally established by presidential decree in 1978, it is intended...
Aug 31 2023

Three Ways to Ask Questions and Make Your Giving Powerful

The school zones are back, so slowing down should be top of my mind as I head for work every morning. After less than a week of blinking lights, something finally...
Aug 18 2023

How Did Paul Revere Make Being a Hero so Easy?

On a work trip, I made time for the American Freedom Trail in Boston with a guide dressed as Elizabeth Foster Goose. Along for the history were travelers from...
Jul 19 2023

Turn Special Event Fundraising Into Philanthropy Networking  

It's always a lift when someone says one of these articles impacted their thinking. That happened recently at a local restaurant when a reader stopped by our table to...
Jun 12 2023

Grandparents Teach Giving Thru Action

While exiting my car, I noticed a young teenager, phone in hand, sitting in the front seat of a truck. Her glance revealed an unhappy face as she returned to her phone....
May 16 2023

Make Your Best Gift One of Giving to Family and Friends     

I'm serious – the very best gift you will ever give to family and friends is to spend time on your legacy story. Right now, you're telling yourself that no one cares...
May 03 2023

Buy The Gift of Giving Today to Leave a Legacy You Want Others to See

With spring unfolding, right now is the perfect time to share something new. Today, The Gift of Giving is available to my friends, followers, and readers. I wrote The...
Oct 30 2023

How Hidden Risks Can Make Giving Decisions a Challenge

When I was about three or so years old, my family went for a drive in the Colorado mountains. I think we went for a picnic, but what I remember is jumping out of the...
Oct 17 2023

Five Questions That Will Make Your Giving Meaningful   

Why should you give philanthropically and strive to make a difference? The answer goes beyond different vehicles for giving, choosing the right organizations, and even...
Oct 03 2023

One of Our Greatest Gifts — Our Time!

Dawn Franks has significantly impacted my thinking (and acting) about the ideas of legacy and generosity. When she asked me to consider writing some personal thoughts...
Sep 13 2023

Learning to Honor Lessons From Our Grandparents

Why do we celebrate Grandparents Day? Grandparents are cool. I vote we celebrate all month long! Originally established by presidential decree in 1978, it is intended...
Aug 31 2023

Three Ways to Ask Questions and Make Your Giving Powerful

The school zones are back, so slowing down should be top of my mind as I head for work every morning. After less than a week of blinking lights, something finally...
Aug 18 2023

How Did Paul Revere Make Being a Hero so Easy?

On a work trip, I made time for the American Freedom Trail in Boston with a guide dressed as Elizabeth Foster Goose. Along for the history were travelers from...
Jul 19 2023

Turn Special Event Fundraising Into Philanthropy Networking  

It's always a lift when someone says one of these articles impacted their thinking. That happened recently at a local restaurant when a reader stopped by our table to...
Jun 12 2023

Grandparents Teach Giving Thru Action

While exiting my car, I noticed a young teenager, phone in hand, sitting in the front seat of a truck. Her glance revealed an unhappy face as she returned to her phone....
May 16 2023

Make Your Best Gift One of Giving to Family and Friends     

I'm serious – the very best gift you will ever give to family and friends is to spend time on your legacy story. Right now, you're telling yourself that no one cares...
May 03 2023

Buy The Gift of Giving Today to Leave a Legacy You Want Others to See

With spring unfolding, right now is the perfect time to share something new. Today, The Gift of Giving is available to my friends, followers, and readers. I wrote The...

Giving Fingerprints

Sign up to receive Dawn’s FREE e-book, Giving Fingerprints, designed to help you be the unique giver you were meant to be.

“You are as unique as the pattern of whorls and lines of your fingerprint. So is your giving style. Make your mark on the causes closest to your heart, and maximize the impact of your gifts by discovering your distinctive, personal giving brand.

I wrote this short book to give you a view of your giving habits. What does your unique giving pattern say about you? Join me on a journey to explore your Giving Fingerprints.”

— Dawn Franks

Recent Published Works

Online Resources

Your Philanthropy recommends the following online resources. Simply click on the links below to access these web sites.

Grant-making

GrantCraft

GEO – Grantmakers for Effective Organizations

 

Foundations

Exponent Philanthropy

Council on Foundations

Philanthropy Southwest

 

Family Philanthropy

National Center for Family Philanthropy

 

Governance

BoardSource

Request A Speaker

Dawn Franks is available to speak on a wide variety of topics to philanthropic organizations, professional associations and community groups. Topics include:

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Giving Fingerprints

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How Your Philanthropy Impacts the Next Generation

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What Story Does Your Foundation Tell?

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Family Foundations: Starting from Scratch

Let’s start a conversation!