Everyone is a Philanthropist: About Giving 2.0

Every person has everything he or she needs in order to be an extraordinary philanthropist and a leader for social change.

During the bleak economic period in 2009, 82% of the $300 billion donated came from ordinary people and households. The fact that the majority of giving comes from individuals and families, not large corporations, speaks volumes.

In Giving 2.0: Transform Your Giving and Our World (Jossey-Bass), Laura Arrillaga-Andereessen shares with readers the powerful insights on philanthropy, and provides inspiration for anyone wanting to give back in some way.

A Guide for Giving

Arrillaga-Andereessen states: “A philanthropist is anyone who has generosity.” In Giving 2.0: Transform Your Giving and Our World she stresses how important it is for people to understand that large amounts of cash is not the only, most influential method of giving. In other words, it’s not HOW MUCH you give, but HOW you give.

It does not matter one’s age, religion, background, or economic standing, everyone is an agent for change. Arrillaga-Andereessen notes endless ways in which giving can be done aside from financial resources: with one’s time, expertise, passion, interests, and more.

Giving 2.0 is full of inspiring words for anyone wanting to expand on their giving and have an impact with social change. The book includes:

• 260 practical ideas on how to engage in philanthropy;
• tips on how to make your philanthropic efforts less reactive and more proactive;
• 55 suggestions for the family, such as taking volunteering vacations with children;
• practical suggestions to make your scattered giving more strategic;
• 280 self-assessment questions on personal giving, such as “What do I care about?” and “What am I good at?”; and
• 125 thoughts to have when making a gift.

Watch this video of Laura Arrillaga-Andereessen discussing Giving 2.0With discussions on giving trends, philanthropic resources, and real-life inspirational stories, Giving 2.0 is a guide that celebrates the benefits of giving. Not only do altruistic acts help the recipients, but they help people find the potential within themselves. Giving has also shown to dramatically improve one’s spiritual, mental, and physical wellness, and significantly improve interpersonal relationships.

For more information, please click > Giving 2.0: Transform Your Giving and Our World by Laura Arrillaga-Andereessen

Philanthropist & Leader

Arrillaga-Andereessen has won numerous awards for her leadership and volunteering, including the Children and Family Services’ Outstanding Silicon Valley Philanthropist Award in 2009, and the 2001 Jacqueline Kennedy Award for Women in Leadership. Arrillaga-Andereessen founded the Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund and the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. She is the president of the foundation created with her husband, the Marc and Laura Andreesseen Foundation.

With a goal of teaching students to be leaders in social change, Arrillaga-Andereessen teaches Philanthropy & Social Innovation and Strategic Philanthropy at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Arrillaga-Andereessen contributed to the book Local Mission, Global Vision: Community Foundations in the 21st Century (Foundation Center) by Peter deCourcy Hero and Peter Walkenhorst. All royalties made from the sale of Giving 2.0 is donated to non-profit organizations.