By Carrie Morgridge With John Perry
Foreword by John P. Morgridge
“An informative road-map to making every donation count…[Carrie Morgridge] persuasively argues that donating wisely at any level can bring about big change. Readers will find her astute guidance a valuable tool in choosing where to give.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Carrie Morgridge has written a very important book. So many people have told me they really want to help, but they give nothing because they feel a small gift cannot make a difference. But it can, as you will learn from the inspiring examples in Every Gift Matters. Philanthropy is for everyone, and giving not only benefits the recipient but the giver, too.”
—JANE GOODALL, Ph.D., DBE, UN Messenger of Peace, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute
We read the headlines where foundations make multi-million dollar donations to fix communities around the world. The reality is, for every dollar American foundations give each year, individual donors give five. The power to fix problems in our communities lies in the volunteer hours and checkbooks of everyday individuals. In 2013, 72% of charitable giving came from individuals making small gifts. While multi-million dollar gifts get all the attention and can make the average person think they can’t make a difference, the exciting truth is that small gifts can change lives – the lives of both the recipient and the giver.
In her book EVERY GIFT MATTERS: How Your Passion Can Change the World (Greenleaf Book Group Press; May 5, 2015), philanthropist Carrie Morgridge argues that high-impact philanthropy is not always high-dollar, and she teaches people how to make a difference in the world with small, targeted gifts of time or money. Drawing on her own experience of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to philanthropy, Morgridge illuminates how leverage, high expectations, hands-on personal involvement, and, above all else, passion, will ensure that one’s gift will have the biggest impact possible – and also bring the giver a profound sense of joy and fulfillment.
For the past 15 years, Morgridge has worked tirelessly to fuel transformation in the areas of education, the arts, health and wellness, and conservation. But she wasn’t always in this position. Morgridge had humble beginnings; a small town California girl with big dreams working two jobs to make ends meet. When her life changed and she had the opportunity to give back, she ran through every open door she could. Her personal investment and hands-on involvement in hundreds of non-profits across the country has taught her that when you follow your passion, build the right relationships, and make every dollar you give work harder, small gifts can transform organizations and most importantly, improve the lives of thousands of people.
In EVERY GIFT MATTERS, Morgridge shares how giving has shaped her heart, but more importantly, she uses her experience to inspire and teach others how to make a difference. While Morgridge has made large gifts through her foundation, she has found that it’s the smaller gifts – some as little as $7 – that make the most immediate and visible impact on people’s lives and bring the greatest joy. In EVERY GIFT MATTERS, Morgridge takes the lessons she has learned making high-impact small gifts and identifies the key principles of effective giving that anyone can use – whether you donate your treasure or talent, whether you have a lot or a little to give. Through inspiring stories of her own gifts in action, Morgridge offers advice for others, including how to:
- Choose the best cause for you
- Vet organizations
- Leverage your donations to inspire others to give
- Ensure organizations can “clone” your money through matches
- Make the most of your volunteer hours
- Give a small gift that will change a person’s life by “filling the gap” – meeting an immediate need
- Cultivate your network and connect people to share expertise, replicate success, and think outside the box
By sharing real-life stories of how a hands-on approach to philanthropy transforms lives, EVERY GIFT MATTERS inspires others to experience the profound joy that comes from giving to others and turning one’s passion into impact.
About the Author
Carrie Morgridge is Vice President of the Morgridge Family Foundation. For the past fifteen years, she and her husband, John, have worked tirelessly to leverage their foundation’s funds, spark innovation, and fuel transformation.
Carrie is recognized nationally for her work as a philanthropist, student advocate and the creator of innovative professional development for teachers. She is a recipient of the distinguished Frances Wisebart Jacobs Woman of the Year award from Mile High United Way, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at the University of Denver, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Colorado Mountain College Board of Overseers, and New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning. She has been publicly recognized for her work at National Jewish Health and Denver Academy. She also serves in an advisory capacity and speaks nationally to education advocacy and technology-focused forums.
Carrie graduated summa cum laude from International Academy of Design and Technology, giving her an edge on design innovation, she is an aggressive athlete, finishing nine Ironman competitions. She lives in Colorado and Florida with her husband John.
About The Morgridge Family Foundation
The Morgridge Family Foundation invests in transformative gifts in education, conservation, health & wellness, and the arts. The Foundation has taken a leadership-funding role in projects with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, National Jewish Health, University of Central Florida, University of Denver, Mile High United Way, KIPP Schools nationwide, The Nature Conservancy, and Second Harvest Food Bank in Orlando, Florida. The Morgridge Family Foundation is a private family foundation. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals.
