Blog

  • Looking in for Inspiration

    Published: February 29, 2012 by Giving Sum Categories: Civic Engagement, Lifestyle & Wellness Comments: 0

    by Brendan Crews

    “Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant.  There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited by sparks.” Johann Gottfried Von Herder (German philosopher) said that over 200 years ago, yet not a day goes by that someone doesn’t read a book, listen to a song, or watch a film with the intention of finding that spark and becoming inspired.  

    Let me start by asking you three questions.  First, when was the last time you felt inspired… truly and deeply inspired?  I don’t mean happy or hopeful, energetic or excited.  I mean jump up and take action... read on

  • Be Selfish, Give More.

    Published: January 26, 2012 by Giving Sum Categories: Civic Engagement, Networking & Social, Professional Development Comments: 3

    by Mary Catharine Grau

    Remember the Friends episode when Phoebe and Joey get into an argument about whether or not a good deed can be completely selfless? (No? I sum it up in the footnote below.)  While theirs was an argument about whether it was possible to do a good deed and not feel good about it, I’ll make it one of semantics, and say that I’m with Phoebe. Selfless is defined as “concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own; unselfish.” Feeling good about your actions doesn’t mean the act wasn’t done in with someone else’s needs and wishes in mind before... read on

  • My only for-profit job

    Published: October 27, 2011 by Giving Sum Categories: Civic Engagement Comments: 0

    The only for-profit business that I’ve ever worked for was the Abbey Coffeehouse in the late 90s. (Remember when Mass Ave was “dangerous”? Remember that to-die-for Mocha Mouse?!) Since then, my career has been firmly rooted in the nonprofit sector. I’ve made it my life’s work to promote civic engagement, which I define loosely as philanthropy, volunteerism, and issue advocacy.

    Halfway through grad school, it occurred to me that my own personal philanthropy and volunteerism were lacking. For a while, I thought things like, “I spend 40 hours a week working for a nonprofit! This is like... read on

  • What Giving Sum is to Me

    Published: October 14, 2011 by Giving Sum Categories: Civic Engagement Comments: 0

    By Ed Holdaway

    I’ll admit it, I thought it was a cash grab. Or a Ponzi scheme. Or maybe a pyramid scheme. You get the picture.

    About four years ago, my to-be wife and I were invited to a kickoff event for a non-profit called Giving Sum. I remember it had a quirky logo and I was privy to some of the backstory because of my friendships with the group’s organizers, but still I was skeptical. In fact, highly skeptical. 

    We attended that night with some friends and were amazed at the sheer number of like-minded individuals in the room, all looking to make an impact on the Indianapolis... read on

  • That First Step is a Doozy

    Published: September 30, 2011 by Giving Sum Categories: Civic Engagement Comments: 2

    Big fess-up here: until about four years ago, volunteering wasn’t a regular activity in my life. At least not since the required high school service hours. I have many excuses, and they are all fabulous, I swear. (If you’re interested, find me on Twitter; I’ll happily share.) My husband, Tony, talked a lot about giving our time to people and causes for which we felt strongly. But, we didn’t.

    Besides the many excuses, why weren’t we actively giving our time to a community we love? I attribute it to “paralysis of opportunity” – defined by me as “indecision stemmed from a vast number of... read on

  • Making an Impact—TOGETHER

    Published: September 15, 2011 by Giving Sum Categories: Civic Engagement Comments: 1

    by Marty Posch

    Making an impact – TOGETHER

    I have been a professional in Indianapolis for close to 15 years. For the first few years of my time in Indianapolis I did my job, worked with great people, and lived a fairly standard life. I then had a life changing experience of volunteering at Riley Children’s Hospital. Driving the “Magic Castle Cart” and giving toys to the children at Riley truly changed my way of thinking. I began to notice how important giving back to the community really is. I began to see how you could impact someone else’s life by just giving a little of yourself.

    I... read on

  • The BIG power of the little number one

    Published: August 26, 2011 by Giving Sum Categories: Civic Engagement, Professional Development Comments: 0

    by Ryan Brady

    One is little.  One is lonely. One is insignificant. 

    Right?

    I think the little number one is actually big, powerful and significant.  The importance of the number one became apparent after I moved to Indianapolis eight years ago.  Indy represented a chance to reinvent myself and experience what it was like to move to a city where I didn't know anyone.  Idealistic and optimistic, I took a job with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis on a Wednesday and moved down to Indy the following Monday.  Life was going to be good!

    I quickly realized that moving to a new city is... read on

  • How to Fail in Life

    Published: August 11, 2011 by Giving Sum Categories: Civic Engagement, Lifestyle & Wellness, Professional Development Comments: 0

    by Brendan Crews

    Perspective is a hell of a thing.  It doesn’t conform to any known rule or law, it’s often changing, and despite what my wife tells me I’m pretty sure there is more than one that’s correct.  Trivial things like becoming more intelligent or experienced have an annoying tendency to shift your point of view.  Suddenly that Merry-Go-Round purple and green striped shirt with a medallion zipper seems like a poor choice for the first day of school freshman year (Many of you may have to Google that one).

    On the plus side, this allows us to evolve as individuals.  My personal... read on