I'm excited to announce our inaugural newsletter, Philanthropic LifeStyle (PLSNews).

Why Philanthropic LifeStyle? The definition of Philanthropic is -- Someone that's generous or benevolent; a person or organization seeking to promote the welfare of others, including donating money to good causes. And of course, LifeStyle is the way in which a person or group lives.

One thing I've learned in my more than 30 years in the world of philanthropy is, when someone is truly passionate about making a difference, altruism becomes more of a lifestyle vs. feeling laborious.

With the nonprofit sector already being a trillion-dollar industry, ranking as the 3rd largest business sector in the United States, as you'll see in one of our featured articles – it reveals that philanthropy is continuously on the rise, with more and more people living a pay-it-forward existence.

For instance, in 2015 when designer Donna Karan stepped down from Donna Karan International to devote more time to her Urban Zen foundation, that was philanthropy. When the cast of the hit show Schitt's Creek, raised funds for food during the pandemic, that was philanthropy.

As nonprofit and charity becomes the new “Business Chic”, countless celebrities, athletes, and entertainers are focused on social change initiatives, including Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Colin Kaepernick, Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Morgan Freeman, Herb Alpert, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Chris Hemsworth, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Mel Gibson, George Lucas, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Dan Whitney (Larry the Cable Guy), Elton John, Sandra Bullock, Richard Branson, Miley Cyrus, Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lawrence, James Patterson, Kylie Jenner, Jerry Seinfeld, J.K. Rowling, Jon Bon Jovi, Matthew McConaughey, Gisele Bundchen, Alec Baldwin, Eli Manning, Will and Jada Smith, Jackie Chan, David and Victoria Beckham, Carmelo Anthony, Jalen Rose, Paul McCartney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lance Armstrong, Victoria Principal and hundreds of others.

In addition to celebrities, thousands upon thousands of everyday folks demonstrate philanthropy, they just don’t know it! When anyone donates a few dollars to a local charity, that’s philanthropy.

Until recent years, if someone was a nonprofit, it seemed as if they'd almost whisper it, like they were ashamed to be a charitable organization. Today, in contrast, people are shouting it from the roof tops.

PLSNews will keep you abreast of what's going on in the world of philanthropy, as we highlight celebrities, community leaders and everyday people that are showing how they're truly living the Philanthropic LifeStyle!

So, buckle up and get ready, as we journey deeper into the lives of those that are impacting the world.

In unity,
Sherita Herring-Oglesby, Editor

Though most people think nonprofits operate from volunteers only [or should], that thinking comes from lack of understanding of the industry [Image: Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Economic Data Project].

In actuality, the nonprofit sector is a great contributor to the U.S. economy. According to Future of Philanthropy, nearly 12 million people work for various social good groups. By comparison, just over 12 million labor in manufacturing, and another 16 million work in the retail trade.

Even through COVID-19, a report from the John Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies found that U.S. nonprofits maintained their position as the third largest employer in the U.S.

These are just some of the major conclusions emerging from the 2020 Nonprofit Employment Report. Drawing on the rich body of data generated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, the Hopkins report sheds important new light on recent nonprofit employment dynamics.

Want to know more?
See the complete John Hopkins Civil Society Report Click Here.

Open to beginner, intermediate or advance grant writers (and/or those with no experience but wanting to learn the grant process), Sherita Herring-Ogles / Philanthropy Alliance Foundation is soliciting Peer Reviewers for a quarter of a million-dollar collaboration with renowned speaker Jack Canfield and the Wells International Foundation (WIF).

Serving as a Peer Grant Reviewer is an excellent way to learn about the grant process, become familiar with a particular grant program and/or funding agency, and network with colleagues and funding agency representatives. In addition, becoming a grant reviewer is one of the best ways to prepare for the development of a grant proposal.

Selected Reviewers will serve on this esteemed committee from May 18, 2021 – June 12, 2021.

Please share with anyone you know that's a grant writer, or wishes to learn the grant writing process as a Peer Reviewer.

See the full Announcement at https://www.philanthropyalliance.org/breakthrough-grant-reviewers.html.

We're excited to announce that Philanthropy Alliance Foundation's office and Oglesby Acres programs are located on the 30 acre heir property of our Founder, Sherita Herring-Oglesby. Her grandmother and 13 siblings were born in the old homestead house, built by her great grandfather.

Once known as Canady Hill in the Hattieville/Cleveland area of Central Arkansas, we're excited about the pending programs. Not to be forgotten, we're gathering the history and family photos to tell the story of our Canady lineage while dedicating the land -- because our history never should be forgotten.

To stay abreast of future programming, subscribe to us on Facebook at @OglesbyAcres, and subscribe to our Youtube.