You Are A Philanthropist

Audrey Blankenship is a normal 9 year old girl who loves dance, science, and art. She creates art that she sells annually to raise money for her local food pantry. When she goes to the grocery store, she asks her mom to buy some for the people who need it. She even has made reindeer ornaments for 300 grocery store employees. Her advice is, “Follow your heart. Your heart tells you it’s the right th...

Paul shares his values of smiling at everyone he meets and telling a good joke to break the ice. Paul doesn't have a mean bone in his body, is quick to lighten the mood, and never met a stranger. He cares deeply about community, bringing his neighbors to his home to enjoy, Jane, his wife of 37 years, fine home-cooked meals, or stopping at their elderly neighbor's homes to bring in their mail, star...

Melissa Prendergast describes herself as a “professional volunteer.” She has coached soccer, served on committees in the local public schools for her four children, lead a special-needs Boy Scouts troop as a high schooler, and this year has been the “Cookie Mom” for her daughter’s Girl Scout’s troop. She believes philanthropy starts at home. She will continue volunteering for the rest of her life...

Jenn Klein reflects on what she’s learned about philanthropy in her fundraising career over the last 15 years and in 2020, as well as her new appreciation and insights from her first six guests. She believes there’s so much to learn by listening to the stories of others. Please share what you’ve learned so far by reaching out on www.youareaphilanthropist.com/podcast .

Sheri Schoch serves on three committees for Young Life Tristates, a Young Life chapter created by her father. Young Life reaches teenagers all over the world the message that they are loved, valuable, and their life matters to God. She, along with other Young Life staff and volunteers, share the love of Jesus to teens right where they are.

Amy Tarlow-Lewis founded Littleton Community Farm, which provides hunger relief, farm-based education, and community connection. She credits creating the farm with dozens of individuals, multiple nonprofits and entities, as well as local businesses. One of the keys to her success was respecting and listening to others who are experts in their fields, since many of aspects of creating a nonprofit w...

John R. Fisher serves his community through public education and inspires us today to “just get started.” Utilizing his talent as a financial services professional, John improves the lives of others through balancing budgets, creating dialogue between people with different opinions, and listening to all members of his community. Learning to “love his neighbor” started with the lessons he learned a...

MaryJudith Tierney has spent her career serving our world as a teacher, both in the classroom and at home. She is a firm believer in teaching the values of service, which she incorporating into the mission statement for the catholic school she helped create. As a stay-at-home mom for many years, and now as a grandmother, she draws on the foundation of her own childhood to teach her family the impo...

Jessica Brand is a serial entrepreneur always make sure she is creating more love in the world with her passions. From launching a cookbook club, to creating a skincare line, and owning a graphic design company, she has always incorporated respecting and valuing the planet and making the world a better place through more human connection. Jessica wants you to not be afraid to reach out to others,...

Tanya Gauthier started a nonprofit from scratch called TBIncredible, which serves the traumatic brain injury community through creating therapeutic photography workshops—both online and in person. When she was fighting for her life after a severe accident, she vowed to never give up and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Tanya wants you to know that traumatic brain in...

Jenn Klein is on a global mission to redefine what a philanthropist is. Join her for conversations about how every-day pleasantries, eco-friendly decisions, and any type of giving to others is not only what's best for the recipient, but also for you! She is a philanthropist...and you are too!