Review
“Simple Giving takes the whole concept of giving to another level entirely. It’s refreshing, fun, and practical. And a most exhilarating new way to think about the impact of charity.”
—Christiane Northrup, M.D., New York Times-bestselling author of Goddesses Never Age; Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom; and The Wisdom of Menopause
"Every so often, a book comes along that makes you say, 'Yes!' Simple Giving does that. At some level, we all want to give. But how to do it effectively is often the challenge. Jennifer tells us that and much, much more. Simple Giving is a must-read (and a definite 'must act-upon.') A huge contribution to a much better world."
—Paul Dunn, cofounder and chairman of B1G1 (Buy 1 Give 1)
"Each of us has opportunities in our lives to give, and Simple Giving asks us to determine what we are passionate enough about to get into action and help benefit someone else. Jennifer Iacovelli demystifies the idea that giving is only for those with huge amounts of money and loads of time, and distills it into chapters that introduce us to everyday people who have created legacies by their simple giving. This book is chock full of resources and ideas to help us realize how each one of us can be an everyday philanthropist through daily giving opportunities."
—Linda Cohen, author of 1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire, and Change Your Life
"The beauty of Simple Giving is its practical content. Jennifer has found the balance between inspiring stories and accessible giving measures, that help to turn the chaos of today’s philanthropy landscape into a roadmap for fulfilling end effective change-making. If you want to give effectively, read Simple Giving.”
—Karl Hofmann, CEO, Population Services International
"This book is a must-have for everyone who wants to do good in the world. Filled with real-life examples and practical advice, Simple Giving is a resource-rich guide to changing the world and leading a more meaningful life."
—Jeannine Harvey, senior manager of strategic relationships at The ONE Campaign
"I first got hooked on Jennifer Iacovelli’s 'Another Jennifer' blog several years ago, appreciating her simple and refreshing approach to writing about philanthropy and giving. Now, everything I love about the blog has come together in one place in Simple Giving. Jennifer shares that giving daily is a key to a lifetime of happiness. She provides accessible ideas that demystify philanthropy and help readers make giving a natural activity in their everyday routine. From acts of kindness to using purchasing power to do good in the world, Simple Giving is a wonderfully refreshing guide to leading a joy filled life."
—Alissa Hauser, executive director of The Pollination Project
About the Author
Jennifer Iacovelli is a writer, consultant, and public communications professional. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for ten years and started her blog, Another Jennifer, to explore the topic of philanthropy, raise awareness for specific causes, and share the stories of others who have incorporated giving into their everyday lives.
www.anotherjennifer.com
Twitter: @anotherjenb
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Giving Model 1:
Everyday Acts of Kindness
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. --Aesop
Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind. --Henry James
As we dive into our models of giving, we start with the simplest form of all. Kindness. Kindness is the simple quality of being considerate, friendly, and generous to others. An act of kindness can change the trajectory of your entire day, whether you are performing the act or on the receiving end. Think about how good it feels to have a friendly stranger give you a big smile while walking down the street or to help an elderly neighbor bring groceries into the house.
Performing random acts of kindness has become a popular activity and is particularly common after tragic events, reminding us to be more considerate of others. You may have heard stories of people helping strangers in natural disasters or paying for someone else’s toll in honor of the victims of a heartbreaking event such as the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. These acts of giving make sense when you consider them as a way of coping with the reality of such horrific and life-changing events. We are searching for meaning. We want reassurance that people are indeed humane.
The results of these kind actions are astounding because they often create a chain reaction. One person does something good, and the recipient of that good deed wants to pay it forward and do something kind for someone else. The kindness continues, whether the first person realizes it or not. That’s where the fun comes in, because you often perform the act of kindness with the hope that you will make someone’s day and that it will continue on from person to person. Who knows what kind of difference you can make in someone’s life? It almost becomes a game.
Social scientists James Fowler and Nicholas Chistakis have shown that acts of generosity and kindness are indeed contagious. Happiness can be spread, and if we are with people who are happy, their happiness rubs off on us.
To me, performing an act of kindness is a gateway that leads to more giving. Even if you’re not ready to make a huge commitment, incorporating small, everyday acts of kindness into your life could lead you to bigger philanthropic endeavors. Your good deeds provide you with that rush of happiness when you give, and it doesn’t take much time or effort to complete one.
The best thing about everyday acts of kindness is that you can perform them with little to no money. You can also easily incorporate these acts into your day. In fact, you may already be carrying out acts of kindness without realizing it. Here are some examples:
• Holding open a door for a stranger
• Allowing a busy mom with kids to cut in front of you in the checkout line (much appreciated!)
• Letting someone take a left turn in traffic
• Paying for a stranger’s coffee at your local café
• Helping an older person load groceries into her car
• Bringing dinner over to a neighbor’s house
• Delivering doughnuts to the local fire department (one of our favorites!)
• Picking up trash in your neighborhood
• Paying someone a compliment
• Writing a thank-you note
• Offering free babysitting to a couple or a single parent who could use a night out
• Smiling at strangers
• Donating used books (in good condition) to your local library
