Philanthropy Starts at Home: Small Acts, Big Impact

Philanthropy may suggest a need to be wealthy, but this is far from true. In this week’s episode we explore what the concept really means, how it differs from charity, and how it relates to intention holding. We’ll hear some heart-warming stories and come to understand why all the world’s great religions have philanthropy at their core. We’ll see that science proves that it pays to be nice. And we’ll see how philanthropy as a practice can be rooted in household relationships and everyday acts of generosity that preserve dignity and empowers others.

Intentions and prayers start at 30 minutes 10 seconds.

Suggested Intention Focus for this week

This week, as we reflect on the role of philanthropy in our societies and in our own lives, we suggest holding as our main intention:

We ask that we will have generous hearts, being guided by the Golden Rule of loving our neighbour to give authentically.

Please join us in holding this.

Mentioned in this episode:

Book, “Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, And How to Reverse It,” by Robert D. Lupton. Amazon.com link: https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Charity-Churches-Charities-Reverse/dp/0062076213/

Chapter markers:

00:00:00            Introduction

00:04:31            Charity Versus Giving

00:06:44            Beyond Billionaire Giving

00:09:08            Spotlight or Service

00:12:29            Giving Without Obligation

00:16:42            Why Philanthropy Matters

00:19:06            The Science of Generosity

00:23:54            Charity Starts at Home

00:25:43            Local Acts, Global Reach

00:30:10            Intentions and Prayers

Sources referenced in this episode:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/philanthropy

https://www.nptrust.org/what-is-a-philanthropist/

https://ourstateofgenerosity.org/section/defining-philanthropy/  

https://antoinenohra.org/philanthropy-vs-charity-whats-the-real-difference/

https://givingcompass.org/article/charity-versus-philanthropy

https://globalgirlsglow.org/khloe-thompson-from-kare-bags-to-building-communities-in-ghana/

https://www.averyhealthcare.co.uk/company-news/spreading-joy-for-random-acts-of-kindness-week/

https://www.northstarmoving.com/blog/2017/people-that-move-us-the-founder-of-khloe-kares/

https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/magazine/the-power-of-small-givers/

https://www.generalatlantic.com/media-article/chuck-feeney-atlantic-philanthropies/

https://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org/news/elusive-billionaire-gives-away-his-good-fortune

https://www.nhcf.org/what-were-up-to/charity-begins-at-home/

https://www.tmz.com/2026/07/03/dolly-parton-thanks-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-for-charity-donation/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/11/28/altruism-volunteering-donating-wellbeing/

https://www.library.hbs.edu/working-knowledge/why-giving-to-others-makes-us-happy

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/09/doing-good-boosts-health

https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/kindness-linked-to-better-physical-health-longevity/

https://localemagazine.com/khloe-kares/

https://bekindandco.com/womankind-khloe-thompson/

https://imaginationlibrary.com/the-dollywood-foundation/

https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/03/01/589912466/dolly-parton-gives-the-gift-of-literacy-a-library-of-100-million-books

https://rob-thomson.mystrikingly.com/blog/7-inspiring-stories-of-everyday-people-making-a-difference-through-philanthropy

https://www.bctg.org.uk/about-us/community-support/random-acts-of-kindness/

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201215-why-being-kind-to-others-is-good-for-your-health

https://www.bridgespan.org/insights/audacious-philanthropy-case-studies

https://listverse.com/2018/01/09/10-acts-of-astonishing-charity-performed-by-ordinary-people/

https://foxphilanthropic.com/charity-vs-philanthropy-whats-the-difference/

https://medium.com/@nancyclimer/the-power-of-giving-back-how-philanthropy-strengthens-communities-nancy-climer-community-7f522320ecc2

Join us in person for intention holding: 

https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/events-1 Labyrinth Activist Network Zoom calls  

https://insighttimer.com/cliverj Daily intention holding with Clive on Insight Timer.  

Our websites: 

www.heartfulimpact.com/   Our show website.  

https://globalhealingresponse.com/ Global Healing Response ~ Offers a wealth of prayers, suggested practices and prompts in response to environmental catastrophe, conflict, and other world events.  

https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/ Legacy Labyrinth Project ~ Creating global energetic connections through the labyrinth; inspiring active intention sending using the labyrinth via labyrinth activism.  

https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/ Clive Johnson Ministry ~ Events and offerings aimed at building beloved community, including weekly energy holding vigils and Power of Eight group.  

https://insighttimer.com/cliverj ~ Daily intention holding.  

Impact! Is presented by Ellen Bintz and Clive Johnson. It is produced by Impact Productions.  

Our show content is hosted by Podbean and available from all major podcast platforms.  

Our theme music is by Chris Collins. indiemusicbox.com.  

Our logo artwork is by AltoClassic (Getty Images/istock).  

Contact us via Facebook Messenger from the Impact! Facebook group, or using any of the contact methods mentioned on our websites.  

Impact! www.heartfulimpact.com.