Philanthropy in Jackson suffers from several myths – false impressions held by those who perhaps have not yet delved deeply into the world of local charity:

Myth #1: Non-profit activity is inconsistent with capitalism. Not true. We focus our giving on education, encouraging youth to develop business skills and create new enterprises. by offering cash awards in business plan contests to high school students in over fifteen Wyoming communities, we enable them to envision entrepreneurial careers that might let them remain in their home towns and improve the local economy. In addition, as novice venture philanthropists, we try to fund non-profits like start-up companies, offering incentives for measurable results. Grant recipients consistently show the hustle and creativity typically associated with for-profit entrepreneurs.

Myth #2: Philanthropy is only for the wealthy. As mid-career professionals, we don't have lots of money, so our donations are often very small. The Community Foundation simplifies our giving, maximizing the time we can commit to charity and the impact of our gifts.

Myth #3: Philanthropy is ego-driven. We don't have enough money to donate to all of the charities we'd like, nor do we want a reputation as big spenders. More fundamentally, anonymity removes our egos from philanthropic decisions and clarifies our focus on impact. The Community Foundation gives us anonymity.

Myth #4: Philanthropy is intuitive. Like most skills, effective philanthropy takes practice and guidance. We have made several rookie mistakes and are sure to make more. The staff at The Community Foundation has been patient and thoughtful in teaching us to be better donors, to cast aside traditional myths about giving in Jackson, and to define for ourselves what we want to accomplish with our charitable donations.

Anonymous Donors