Creative Philanthropy

Given Wednesday’s post about Food, Inc. and creative activism, when I came across this article this morning, I had to post it here: “Secret Society” Tests Boundaries of “Philanthrophy,” from the Idealist NYC blog. The article’s author, Putnam Barber, describes the Secret Society for Creative Philanthropy:

“Creativity may be more at the core of the Secret Society’s work than traditional notions of philanthropy. Participants get $100 (their own, or a gift from another member) to spend in some way on a “committed act of kindness” – whether it’s handing out umbrellas during a rainstorm, hiding $5 bills (with brief quotes about doing good works) in unlikely places, or sending the whole amount to help with relief efforts in Haiti, New Orleans or Darfur.”

I like the idea of extending people’s thinking about ways to serve their fellow man to include small acts of kindness. It’s like the person who thinks they can’t be a filmmaker because they don’t live in Hollywood, and never thinks to just pick up a FlipCam and start making films with friends (especially in this day and age, making movies is hardly the sole purview of official Hollywood). Translation: If you only have 10 dollars, you can still help someone. If you only have an hour, you can still help someone.

Of course, not all acts of kindness or generosity have the same impact (more…)