Givers Who Keep on Giving
The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 8/9/07
A movement to inspire the wealthy to donate a higher percentage of their riches gathers steam
Twenty-seven years ago, Christopher Ellinger learned to his surprise that he had inherited $250,000, and that another $300,000 would eventually be on its way from his grandparents’ estate. At the time, he was barely out of college, living on little money while finding his way as a social-change activist outside Philadelphia.
At first, he says, his new wealth was overwhelming, but eventually he figured out how much he needed to live comfortably and gave away the rest — more than half of his inheritance.
Now, Mr. Ellinger and his wife, Anne, want to help other people travel the same path through their new venture here, Bolder Giving.
Among its programs is the 50% League, whose members have given at least 50 percent of their income for the past three years or half their assets at some point in their lives to charity. The Ellingers are encouraging people who give that much to publicize their efforts, in the hope that more people will join them.
“We are out there to challenge people to look at their full giving potential and offer support and inspiration to people who are hungry to give more, so that they know they are not alone, they are not crazy, and they can find peers and financial experts who support that direction of giving,” says Ms. Ellinger.