Editor's Letter
Redefining Philanthropist
I
Detroit Jewry did. It's better to .get surefire dollars into endow-
f the organized Jewish community doesn't change the
ments now, goes the thinking.
prism through which it views 30- and 40-year-olds who
So: Have federations invested too little in training, educat-
have the wherewithal to become major givers, Jewish
ing and developing future generations of givers? At the hi
beneficiaries will lose out — big time. We need to see these
est levels, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit is
new, younger givers as pivotal to today's giving corps and
doing its part by turning the exclusive Fisher-level meetings
not as donor trainees. Let's forego the qualifying adjectives
into multigenerational family affairs.
— emerging, promising or the like.
National trends suggest that younger philanthropists like
In the secular realm, a 40-year-old
to direct their contributions, which is why so many com-
who has kids and a thriving busi-
munal groups are creating young adult wings. Big pots like
ness isn't considered a young adult.
Federation's Annual Campaign are at risk. Some Jewish com-
Business journals regularly report on
munities, like Atlanta, are seeking to become the centers for
new CEOs at this crossroads age. Yet
philanthropy,
Jewish or secular. In this scenario, you can give
in the Jewish communal world, such
to
the
symphony
or the hospital, and to Federation, through a
.a person is labeled "rising" instead
plan
that
Federation
tailors for you. It's a 'one-stop supermar-
of "already there." We can't turn off
ket
for
giving.
And
it's
proving attractive to younger givers.
younger leaders, who are young only
I'm
not
implying
that
younger givers have jettisoned Jewish
in comparison with established phi-
Detroit's
central
planning
and fundraising agency. This year,
lanthropists. Let's recognize what they
bring philanthropically and via leader- Federation's newest group of bigger givers formed the Class
of a Million, young adults who give at least $10,000 to the
ship — and welcome their gifts without strings attached.
Annual
Campaign or who have pledged to increase their gift
It's not just about the future. A five-figure gift from a 35- or
to that amount by 2009. The Class has grown to 83 families.
40-year-old is something to celebrate, not downplay. It builds
on the generosity of mega-givers and longtime donors. It pro- Class decision makers are communal ambassadors, under-
scoring that the Class isn't just about money, important as
vides a fresh alternative that replenishes the giving pool froth
that is to meeting communal needs. All class members engage
within.
in learning, contemplating and socializing, which inspire
This came to mind as I considered how 25- to 40-some-
Jewish involvement, giving and leadership.
things today no longer require a long apprenticeship. They
are on high-speed information access. They relish moving
Decision Time
quickly. And some have the skills, smarts and-savvy that we
The Class of a Million marks a societal shift. The members
need communally — now They not only represent a crucial
don't like being called "future" leaders or the "next" genera-
transition between the machers of today and the young and
tion. Indeed, Jewish Detroit
restless, but some are ready .
is blessed with bright,
to ascend the leadership stage
dynamic people younger
without serving as under-
than 50, many highly suc-
studies first. To not turn the
cessful in business or other
spotlight on them as frontline
endeavors. Let's harness
givers and legitimate leaders
their talent now as leaders.
diminishes their capacity.
Concurrently, 20- to 40-year-
Current giving models tend
olds who are settled, tuned
to grant power to community
in and in a financial position
stalwarts in their 50s, 60s and
to tackle communal chal-
beyond who waited to climb
lenges have an obligation to
the communal ladder. Why
step up.
should philanthropists younger
Detroit Jewry will go on
than 50, who are continually
even after the passing of our
reinforced with almost instant
Howard and Lilly Jacobson of Bloomfield Hills with Jason
greatest leaders. But to effect
gratification, wait?
and Rachel Zimmerman and, standing, Josh Opperer, all of
a transition with the same
It's a generational thing.
Huntington Woods, on the Class of aMillion Israel mission
level of prosperity, we need
The under-50 set is less
hosted by Lauren and Phillip Fisher of Bloomfield Hills
a seamless infusion of well-
institutionally grounded and
primed young leaders and
less centralized in thought.
givers. •
They're influenced by advances
Class of a Million founder and strategist Josh Opperer, 36,
like online giving communities within larger communities.
of Huntington Woods astutely described how his generation
Exhaustive schmoozing is less essential among this new gen-
can follow in the footsteps of our lost philanthropic giants. "It
eration of givers.
very well may be that no individual can fill that void, but 100
of us together have a good shot and 1,000 of us together have
A Changing Federation
an even better shot:' the Detroit attorney told me last week.
Understandably, Jewish communities typically invest signifi-
"We must make it happen. We must assume the responsibility
cant dollars to secure gifts from elderly givers because Father
and deliver together — as a family"
Time is marching on. Communal leaders fear that future
What about the rest of us? Let's encourage and embrace
generations may not make Jewish giving a priority like Max
them — and dramatically shorten their learning curve.
Fisher, David Hermelin, Marvin Berlin and others giants of
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December 14 0 2006
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