It has been said that a person cannot step in the same river twice, for it is not the same river and you are not the same person. In case we needed a reminder, 2020 has shown us the relentless constancy of change. In theory, change is a hopeful thing that many of us profess to welcome. In practice, change is something we more frequently resist.

For much of history, giving happened directly. Our model of direct giving to early-stage changemakers acts as an antidote to civic apathy. In truth, we all have a place in this ecosystem of philanthropy: organizations of all sizes, individual grassroots volunteers, and everyone in between. As in any ecosystem, diversity will be our strength.

Human perception is reductive by nature. When we approach the world with humility and curiosity and meditate, without judgment or stereotype, on the unique paths of those whose shoes we may never walk in-- this is empathy. 

To many in the modern world, particularly those in business, dedicating any regular time to meditation may seem impossible given the pace of life [...] Yet this worldview doesn’t align with my own experiences of leadership and growth. I continue to embrace meditative practice because I believe that pressing “pause” is actually more productive than constantly living in “fast-forward.” 

Perhaps you have dreamed of a project that would make the world a better place, but worried you needed to wait for large donations to make it happen. I am here to tell you that you can have an indelible impact in your community right now, just as you are. Whatever your vision, you already have the most important elements to see it through. In the words of Rumi, “What you seek is seeking you"...

How do we truly end systemic racism, stop climate change, heal our school systems, upend global poverty, or alleviate the unnecessary suffering of non-human animals? For Margaret Wheatley, the answer is emergence.