The Giving Season is Upon Us

We’re entering the giving season. People tend to give more at this time of year and nonprofit organizations tend to receive more donations in the final months of the year. Why is this? The clients I’ve worked with are usually inspired to give for myriad reasons other than a tax deduction. So, why do people […]

Happy New Year from Enlightened Philanthropy!

Happy New Year! I hope 2017 is off to a good start for you. I’m excited to get back to work this year after taking some time off to be at home with my son. I’ve got a few spots left on my calendar for that special client or project. Will this be the year […]

Exciting Updates from Enlightened Philanthropy!

    This year has been incredibly full and summer just flew by! Now as we enter fall, the pace may slow, a bit. And many of us will turn our thoughts to year-end giving. I hope you will take time out of your schedule to give some dedicated thought to how your talent, time, […]

Spring is in the Air!

Spring is in the air! Actually, in Portland, it has been for some time. The first sign for me is always the exquisitely fragrant daphne. Now the cherry trees are blossoming and raining down their petals when the wind and actual raindrops blow through. Daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth have started spreading their color and joy […]

Contributing Used Goods

As most of you know by now, in December I moved back to Portland. This involved cleaning out a home I’d lived in for nearly 12 years. I accumulated a lot of things! After a very successful garage sale, I still had numerous possessions with which to part ways. Fortunately, the Monterey Peninsula is home […]

Enlightened Philanthropy is Moving!

I’m excited to announce that I will be relocating to Oregon by year-end! After nearly 12 years on the Monterey Peninsula, it’s time to return home to the Pacific Northwest. I want to thank my colleagues and friends here in Northern California. You have embraced Enlightened Philanthropy and Philanthropy Camp for Women and for that […]

TEDxSantaCatalinaSchool: Matters of the Heart

It happened again. I told someone what I do and he responded, “I wish I could be a philanthropist.” I told him he could be! And you can be too! Inspiring Young Philanthropists On October 17, 2014, 75 young women along with 25 faculty, staff, and community members discovered that they can be philanthropists. The […]

Deborah Goldstein Named New Contributing Author for the Planned Giving Design Center

From today’s announcement by the Planned Giving Design Center: “The Planned Giving Design Center is pleased to welcome new contributing author, Deborah Goldstein. Deborah Goldstein, founder of Enlightened Philanthropy, is dedicated to guiding the next generation in giving. Drawing from more than fifteen years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit management, she engages clients in […]

New Voices of Philanthropy: Cody

A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Cody Osborn. This 20-year-old student attends the University of Southern California and is pursuing a double major in Biology and French. Currently, he’s studying in France. I think you’ll find, as I did, that Cody is wise beyond his years. His dedication to medicine is […]

Inspired to Take Action

Last week, a lovely email showed up in my inbox. It said in part… “I wanted to share with you how inspiring your work is. I have not seen this type of philanthropic consulting before, you must be very proud of what you have accomplished. My brother and I just came back from Rwanda, where […]