entry 60. [on being charitable]
I have some big project ideas. Projects that are huge in time and scope, far reaching in vision, rich with meaningfulness…yet, many of them lack proper funding. Which has led me to researching grants. Many of the grants I’ve found are closed for the year already, but there are a few that are still open. I prepare my applications. Hope runs high.
I’m no stranger to raising money. Last year, in fact, I ran a very successful fundraising campaign for my 3rd book “The Motionless Dream” http://photomonium.net/motionlessdream.htm
Raising the money, traveling to New Orleans, and creating such a meaningful book was truly a dream come true. Since then, whenever I bump up against obstacles in my life I remember that time; I remember the support that poured out to me from fans, friends, family, loved ones and strangers. I remember that good things can and do happen, and when you want something badly enough, it always works out.
In my grant research over the last few days, I found something that touched me, quite deeply, and I wanted to share.
In his own words, “My name is Josh Greene. I am a 36 - year old artist and waiter. Service-Works is my own foundation that is designed to bridge the gap between my art career and my service industry career. Each month I dedicate one night’s worth of my tips to fund a project. For the past twelve years I have been doing art projects while making a living waiting tables. I currently work as a waiter in a fine-dining restaurant in San Francisco.”
Yes, you read that right. For the last 12 years, this man has received applications from artists needing small funding. Once he deemed a project is worthwhile, he donated one nights tips, once a month, to any given project. Funding ranged from $100-$400. Imagine, working one shift at your demanding job, knowing that at the end of the night you won’t be taking the money home. Rather, that money will go directly to making someone else’s dream come true. The true meaning of philanthropy, if you ask me.
Unfortunately, Josh is currently on leave from his restaurant job and is no longer taking applications - but even still, I found his story incredibly moving and inspiring. With his sabbatical, there a void to be filled…
I myself, felt moved to help another artist. But I don’t have a lot of extra money, I have to buy groceries, blah blah blah. Then I realized, to contribute to someone’s project it need not take a lot of money. One need not start a foundation and shell out a night’s wages… Websites like kickstarter.com allow fundraising, or even browsing etsy.com and supporting someone creative there can make a difference to a “starving artist”.
Even a small amount of $10 on Kickstarter could be the difference between a green light and a red one…
Point being, may everyone have the resources they need to see their dreams come true.
Photo of me in New Orleans, 2010, writing thank you cards to everyone who pledged to my project. It felt so good to say thank you 35 times! (photo by Claire Mallett)
xo
Liz
