Philosophers wonder about the chronological concerns of chickens and eggs. Those in Homeland Security wrangle the line between safety and liberty. Corporate CEOs debate strategies for getting a bigger slice of the market. Politicians ponder the make-up of the swing voter’s brain.    

We in the non-profit world think a lot about results—and how you measure something as intangible and nebulous as social change. Counting participants or dollars given or even change in individual lives is one thing—but for those interested in measuring the impact of a movement, of societal change, well, what’s the yard stick? Behavior can’t be counted, and multiplier effects aren’t nearly as numerical as they sound. How do you measure the impact of a financial literacy class taught to 25 women over their lifetimes, over knowledge transmitted to their children, over decisions made generations from now? 

Hello, my name is Sherell Fuller, and as the new Program Assistant with The Women’s Foundation, I’d like to personally welcome you to learn more about us. It’s been a few weeks since I joined the team, but it seems like I’ve been a regular for months. 

Time for my first blog.

While networking with one of our Grantee Partners at my first big Stepping Stones meeting, she said to me “This foundation is really something, to see a group of women come together like this is great,” and I thought to myself, “It really is, and it’s time for me to start talking about the dedication behind the scenes that gets meetings like this started."

Working at The Women’s Foundation reminds me of those Outward Bound missions set up for groups to work on challenging physical and mental activities in order to strengthen awareness and team cohesiveness, only without all the grueling physical work. We don’t climb cliffs or swim dozens of feet to work on our mission (lucky for me), but the work we do requires teamwork, a level of trust, dedication, and initiative.

Before joining, the Program Officers told me that working here is like building a plane. I’ve found that to be true. Each person contributes their piece of the puzzle, and it’s an ever-changing, continual collaboration that needs all the right parts put together to keep the fuel burning. When I need assistance with setting up a meeting, or a project, there’s always someone willing to give me a hand. (Thank goodness!)

This teamwork builds bonds among the employees, which is good because in order to care about strengthening Washington area women and girls, the workers who execute the mission have to have a strong sense of camaraderie. 

After all, it takes a powerful wave of people to create and maintain a powerful wave of philanthropy. As the author of The Curious Feminist, Cynthia Enloe, proposes, be curious!  Get to know The Women’s Foundation more. Find out how you can be an agent of change. 

Before I go on and on, which I can, I’d like to invite you to get to know me more. Feel free to email me with your questions at sfuller@wawf.org.     

Well, I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this, dear loyal readers, since I am sure that after last week’s endorsement of Grey’s Anatomy, you went straight home last night to curl up and watch.

But, for those of you who were caught up in the second winter storm of the year here in Washington, never fear.  Your update is here.

Indeed, Grey’s is still going philanthropy, with Dr. Bailey running to and fro, among residents, interns and chiefs, to cull support for her new pet project, a free clinic to provide health care for those who can’t afford it.

Everyone is nearly as shocked as she is, considering her usual approach of quelling any overly emotional medical practices with a dirty look and a strict reprimand. 

The resounding echo seems to be, "But why?  You’re a surgeon.  You operate.  You don’t care." 

But it all becomes clear when she explains to her colleagues, "I need more.  I need to believe that medicine can do more than save lives.  That it can change lives.  I need to believe in something."

With the first appeals of resistance therefore rebuked, the next wave of opposition comes in the form of, "But how will you fund it?"

In T.V.-land though, where there is a will–and an intern with a newly inherited $8.7 million–there is always a way.

Some may see it as just a convenient, cheesy plot twist.  

To the trained eye though, Bailey’s taking inspiration from Izzy is evidence of the power of giving together–and just how contagious being a model of compassion and social change can be.   

Because at Seattle Grace, it’s not just the germs that are catching. 

But why not both?     

Many former Peace Corps volunteers, adventurers and otherwise purpose-driven folk, have fulfilled this obligation early on in life and then moved on to more lucrative opportunities.

And some of the world’s most powerful do-gooders clearly established themselves on career paths built far more around financial ambition than saving the world.

Yesterday the Willard Ballroom was packed with Washingtonians of The Year honorees past and present – including our own Anne Mosle – breaking bread as they celebrated their collective contributions to the city. 

This was the 30^th luncheon honoring 30 years of Washingtonians, and as Anne pointed out, the luncheon stretched, "Back to when DC first received home rule and a new mayor, when Richard Nixon was president and there was no e-mail." 

I love Grey’s Anatomy, even more than I love Google and Goodsearch.  I agree completely with Oprah, when she says, "If you’re not watching Grey’s, you’re nowhere."

Indeed.

And now there’s even more to love, because they’re taking on some philanthropy-related issues through one of my favorite characters, Izzy.

Background (for those of you who don’t watch it yet, but will, after this resounding endorsement blog):  Izzy is a surgical intern, and is always in trouble because she’s getting too emotionally involved with her patients (For you old schoolers out there, think female version of Dr. Carter in ER).  In sum, she fell in love with one, got engaged, he died but left her with $8.7 million which she, last night, used a portion of to pay for a life-changing but uninsured operation for a young woman.

At which point Dr. Bailey, her resident, got very, very angry.  "You are still too emotionally involved," she said, with great authority, because she’s Dr. Bailey. 

But in the end, Izzy gave a speech which, to me, summed up the heart and soul of good giving. 

"I’m both," she told Bailey.  "I’m a surgeon, and I’m someone who gets emotionally involved.  I’m both.  And I won’t apologize for it."

Good for you Izzy.  Because doing good and good giving are about just that…"first with the head, then with the heart"*…

*Shout out to Bryce Courtenay’s The Power of One.

It’s been a big week for the little guy (or gal) of philanthropy this week, it seems, between two of my favorite bloggers, Dollar Philanthropy and Tactical Philanthropy discussing giving plans and options for those who may be in the market to give $10 instead of $25,000.

Not to mention Claudia Thorne’s inspiring piece in the Washington Post about how you don’t have to have Oprah’s money to feel the Oprah-level joy of giving. 

As a girl who hasn’t yet made her millions, and has been around non-profits long enough to have a clear sense of just how powerful money can be when used strategically, effectively and with the best interests of communities and clients in mind–and also how it can do very little good at all when it’s not–I’ve been thinking, talking and doing a lot more about my own personal giving and what strategies are the most effective when you don’t have enough to just up and build a $40 million school in South Africa. 

Do you take what little you do have and break it up for various organizations and causes?  Or put all your bets on one horse and hope it’s the right one?  What about when you know that you’ve found a few excellent, effective organizations and can’t decide between causes you’re very committed to?  Do you give to the little start-up to help it get off the ground and scale up, or do you fund the already-accomplished, established organization with years and years of experience behind it? 

If I’m not carried away, that creeping sense of smallness can rapidly take over, and lead me away from the idea of giving entirely.  What’s $50 after all, compared to $5,000, $50,000 or half a million?       

Sean’s post on Philanthropic Planning on $10 a Week offers some great suggestions (including, of course, giving circles such as those found here at The Women’s Foundation) and Dollar Philanthropy in general is a bastion of welcome ideas for and attitudes on giving at any level.

So, for the rest of you out there, what say you? 

What thoughts, ideas, experiences or insight do you have for those of us who may have less to give, are new to the concept of giving or are starting to re-examine our giving practices and principles?  What have been the various paths you’ve taken to giving, and what have been the most rewarding (or not) experiences you’ve had?

Let’s take a moment for some giving mentoring and share the wealth (of knowledge and questions) that’s out there in our community about various giving strategies, approaches and attitudes. 

(I can’t be the only one who’s wondering, right?)

Hi all, Anne here, and I just had to note for everyone how thrilled I was to open my Washington Post on Sunday and read Claudia Thorne’s piece, "The Joy of Philanthropy!"  For the full article, click here!   

I love Will Smith. And I loved his new movie, Pursuit of Happyness.  

I guess I just hope that the many who see this movie will keep in mind–as they watch this story of the daily struggle that low-income, single parents go through to move themselves and their children to better lives–that typically this is a woman’s story.

That movies are usually made because they’re unusual, and not about the realties we see every day.  

  Happy New Year!

I was bowled over and truly touched by all of the extremely kind and celebratory messages you sent to me about the Washingtonian of the Year Award. 

I am humbled to have been selected among such an impressive circle of leaders. Women like Zainab Salbi and Jatrice Martel Gater inspire me every day, as well as good guys like Chris Smith who have redefined community development in neighborhoods like Anacostia.  

Washington is an incredible community–brimming with generosity, smarts, innovation and passion.  Kudos to Ellie Merrill and her team at The Washingtonian for their annual spotlight on this aspect of the region, which is too rarely highlighted.

The success and impact of Washington Area Women’s Foundation is a wonderful reflection and multiplier of all that is great about this region.  Every woman and man—along with the girls, boys and classrooms who have made a gift, volunteered, conducted a pro-bono training, shared their ideas or opened a door—is directly responsible for this recognition.

As I shared with the staff and board of The Women’s Foundation, who all personify commitment, compassion and excellence, May every woman and girl in the Washington region feel the support and warmth that I have been humbled to receive from each of you.

Think big and bold for the New Year!

With appreciation, Anne