“…the development of our generous hearts does not depend upon our bankbook or investment accounts. It depends upon how closely we pay attention to ourselves and to what leads to happiness for others and for ourselves.”
Some two decades ago, Jane Lewenthal prepared a speech for Toastmasters – but this was no ordinary speech. It was a speech about giving. It was a speech from the heart.
Titled “Giving with a Generous Heart,” Jane’s speech drew on her experiences working in the Bay Area, primarily with women of substantial earned or inherited wealth. “I specialize in responsible investing and growing philanthropy,” explains Jane, CFP®, CIMA® and currently Senior Vice President of Investments with Wells Fargo Advisors. “In my talk, I said many things about how to develop a generous heart … which doesn’t necessarily mean giving more, or more automatically.
“Rather, the more we practice a sense of generosity, the happier we are.”
Said Jane in her speech, “…the development of our generous hearts does not depend upon our bankbook or investment accounts. It depends upon how closely we pay attention to ourselves and to what leads to happiness for others and for ourselves.
“A generous heart intends goodness for another without fear for oneself. If fear is present, we may still give, and may give a great deal, but the giving will be with clinging and we will miss out on the benefits that we might have had. We might even receive gratitude or acclaim from others, but we will know that our heart was not generous and we will not experience pleasure or satisfaction. These come from giving with a generous heart.”
Indeed, according to Jane – who also practices Zen Buddhism – giving with a generous heart means not giving so much that one’s well-being is jeopardized, and not giving out of a sense of obligation. “Giving with a generous heart feels so good that we give more to feel that good more often,” she says. “I speak with clients and work with them, advocating and encouraging them to give more. Sometimes it takes lots of conversations for clients to develop a sense of joy and satisfaction in philanthropy – it can’t be forced.”
When it comes to giving vehicles, Jane – a Community Foundation donor – is partial to Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs). “I strongly recommend that my clients open their Donor-Advised Funds at the Community Foundation, even if they live in another state.
“I opened one for myself, years ago, when I had highly appreciated property to contribute … so I got to see the foundation’s expertise in action. A few years later, a California client wanted to support a local foundation, so I vetted several in northern California. I was dismayed to see how inexperienced they were, and I’m glad that so many clients have made our lives easier by choosing Community Foundation Boulder County.
“The foundation is so responsive and reliable in making grants and managing DAF administration. Community Foundation staff are superb in assisting with DAF setup. They really know what they’re doing, and they even do excellent research if a donor wants suggestions of paths and organizations.”
Having moved here in 1992, Jane is well aware of the persistent TRENDS statistic that Colorado has the lowest giving ratio among surrounding Western states. “All the more reason to emphasize the practice of intentionally paying attention to developing our own generous heart,” she says. “It isn’t that we start with a generous heart and then give. It’s that we develop a generous heart and expand it.”
