How We Give Now

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Philanthropy encompasses more than just writing checks and claiming tax deductions; it can be a way of living our values and engaging with society. Lucy Bernholz explores how everyday individuals can contribute through various means—shopping at ethical businesses, canvassing for candidates, donating money, and making conscious choices with retirement funds. We give our cash, time, and even data to improve our communities. Bernholz highlights participatory philanthropy, drawing insights from a diverse group of forty resourceful givers. An emerging form of philanthropy involves donating digitized personal data, which can be done safely and equitably. For instance, contributing genetic data for medical research through nonprofits rather than commercial entities, or sharing photographs with archives like the Densho Digital Repository, which documents the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. Bernholz advises us to be mindful of where our contributions go, suggesting that direct giving is often more impactful than adding a dollar at the register or purchasing charity-branded products. Ultimately, giving is a form of participation, rooted in a commitment to our communities and shaped by diverse geographies and cultural traditions.