Jane Wales and Kenneth Hodder on American Generosity
What happens when charitable giving declines in America? The Generosity Commission set out to answer this critical question, and I sat down with two key leaders to discuss their findings.
Jane Wales, Co-Chair of the Commission and VP at the Aspen Institute, explains why this matters: 'Civil society is a singular asset of American democracy... powered by everyday givers, everyday volunteers.' She shares how declining participation threatens not just charitable organizations, but the very fabric of our democratic society.
Salvation Army National Commander Kenneth Hodder brings this down to earth with a powerful perspective on individual impact: 'If they will commit themselves to saying, I want to feed one person... I'll tell you the ramifications, like a stone falling into a pool, will resonate throughout their lives.' His insights on how small acts of generosity create lasting change are not to be missed.
AND IF YOU HAVEN'T LISTENED YET: My conversation with MADD CEO Stacey Stewart reveals crucial developments in the fight against impaired driving. Three key takeaways:
Despite MADD's success in reducing drunk driving fatalities by 50% since the 1980s, we face new challenges with a 33% increase in impaired driving deaths between 2019-2022, highlighting the need for renewed focus on education and prevention.
The profile of impaired drivers has evolved - two-thirds of fatal crashes involve drivers at nearly twice the legal limit (0.15+ BAC), indicating a deeper substance abuse crisis requiring new approaches and partnerships.
Game-changing technology is on the horizon: New federal legislation mandates anti-drunk driving sensors in all new vehicles, with the potential to save 10,000 lives annually - representing a major shift in how we prevent impaired driving.
These conversations reveal how organizations are adapting to meet today's challenges while staying true to their founding missions. Subscribe now for new episodes every Tuesday!
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