As the first day of the new year dawns, there are fact-based reasons to hope that:
- The COVID-19 pandemic devolves into an endemic virus with seasonal surges like the common cold or influenza.
- The long-studied MRNA vaccine technology will help end so many chronic diseases such as HIV and many cancers.
- The record-setting $471.44 billion charitable giving total in the U.S. in 2020 will continue into 2021 and beyond.
- Women, if engaged thoughtfully and consistently, will make an even bigger impact in the charitable sector than ever before.
- The societal and sector-based understanding for both unrestricted charitable support and the democratization of philanthropy will continue to grow and reap beautiful benefits.
- The social and racial justice cause which captured both the attention and support from so many donors will continue to experience growth.
- The benefits of giving will not be based solely on quantifiable “outcomes,” but rather on the lived experiences of those impacted. Giving is not only a strategic activity seeking a return on investment, but is most helpful when increased empathy is a goal.
A new year gives us all an opportunity to hope for the future. During the last couple of years, though, hope has been in short supply. This 2022 new year, however, feels different.
We are on the verge of good news. There are trends that are pointing us in positive directions. We labor in a vineyard that produces so much goodness, so many positive impacts, and so much of what the world badly needs.
In this new year, let’s hope we stay focused on that.
Happy New Year!
P.S. Jason’s Blog is now being delivered to you via follow.it I made this change because Google discontinued its support for Feedburner and follow.it is the best Feedburner alternative. My hope is that you’ll enjoy follow.it and that 2022 will be a year of renewed engagement with Jason’s Blog. Thank you for reading.