Now using a single blog you can reach millions if not billions of people to assist your charitable organization to pursue its objectives and goals. You can easily solicit for funds to assist the less privileged members of the society from around the globe and alleviate their suffering. If there is a need to create awareness about a particular issue that needs urgent attention on a global level then blogs are there for you. Currently we have some outstanding blogs that have made good use of the space provided to them to help advance the work of philanthropy. The following 20 blogs have been instrumental in advancing philanthropic work around the world;

Amy Sample’s Blog (http://www.amysampleward.org/)

A popular speaker who has given many speeches in many conferences around the world on issues touching on nonprofits. Her blog talks about many nonprofit items that can be implemented to assist the society. It discusses issues of social media and how it can assist people to transform their lives. This is a very good resource for those who seek to find new ways of advancing their charities or foundations.

Sarah Durham’s Blog (http://www.bigducknyc.com/blog/)

This blog is run by Big Duck Consulting, which offers cut-throat advice on how to dealing with branding of nonprofits. This is basically marketing being dealt with at a high level. Branding if done well should make a nonprofit organization standout from the rest. Pay a visit to the blog and learn from the experts.

Beth Kanter’s Blog (http://www.bethkanter.org/)

Beth Kanter is the CEO of a consulting firm known as Zoetica, who happens to be an avid blogger who explores ways of helping and advancing the good of the community in her blog. She is well known in social media for nonprofits. This blog will offer you a whole new view of nonprofits.

Allison Fine’s Blog (http://www.afine2.wordpress.com/)

She is an advocate of social change through the nonprofits organizations. Her blog offers the latest developments in the world of charitable work. You will be surprised to know how much is taken for granted by leaders of nonprofits.

Katya Andresen’s Blog http://www.nonprofitmarketingblog.com/

Her blog has an enormous amount of useful information for charitable organizations. The blog gives insights on how owners or leaders of nonprofit organizations can market their organizations to raise funds to assist the society. The way she explains issues makes it very easy for a user to follow and understand.

Nancy Schwartz’s Blog (http://www.gettingattention.org/)

An outstanding blog that includes case studies to show you exactly how marketing nonprofits works. She explores the ways which leaders of nonprofits can use to enjoy full participation of their employees and supporters/donors. Through this blog you will be able to pick the best advice on how to advance a charitable organization.

Jeff Brooks’ Blog (http://www.futurefundraisingnow.com/)

Giving is a worthy course, a mantra that Jeff Brook believes in. His blog gives a lot of information as to how philanthropists can make use of the internet to raise funds. You will get a host of useful information on the dos and don’ts of online fundsraising.

Don Akchin’s Blog (http://www.theaccidentalmarketer.blogspot.com/)

Don Akchin is a marketing consultant who runs this blog to assist charitable organizations in their marketing endeavors. He puts across his lessons quiet easily by putting a personal approach to the issues he talks about. Most of the issues he talks about are a result of personal experiences, thus the name “the accidental marketer.”

Jason Dick’s Blog (http://www.ASmallChange.net/)

This is a blog that is filled with very fresh ideas on how to deal with issues of fundraising for charitable organizations. Jason a philanthropist at heart explores how giving helps to assist the needy in the society.

Kivi Leroux Miller’s Blog (http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog )

Kivi through her blog explains the ways to effectively market a nonprofit organization. She explores the need for consistence in the kind of messages that we send out to the public and our sponsors. In this blog you will also find information on how to raise funds for a nonprofit, a wide range of fundraising activities are discussed in depth.

Lori Halley’s Blog (http://www.wildapricot.com/blogs )

This blog is dedicated to helping small associations that are meant to help the communities around them. The blog discusses the challenges that such organizations have to endure. It also keeps you up-to-date on web technologies that can be used to advance your nonprofit organization.

Marc Pitman’s Blog (http://www.fundraisingcoach.com/ )

Dealing with an expert in any field is much easier. Marc Pitman is an expert fundraiser with a wealth of innovative ideas on how to fundraise. Through his blog you will get to understand the dynamics of fundraising.

Pamela Grow’s Blog (http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/)

This blog just makes things easier for those who seek to writing grant proposals. The blog will equip you with skills needed to write winning proposals for grants to support your foundation.

Jake Seliger’s Blog (http://blog.seliger.com/)

An instrumental blog written by a veteran in writing for grants, the blog should assist you to keep abreast with the changes that are taking place in writing for grants. You will get to improve your grant writing skills through this blog.

Britt Bravo’s Blog (http://www.havefundogood.blogspot.com/)

This is a blog that shows you how you can do good for the society while enjoying what you are doing. Giving does not have to be a painful experience for the giver, you can give and still have fun. You will get to understand the power of giving and how satisfying it can be.

Joe Waters’ Blog (http://www.selfishgiving.com/)

The blog offers a diverse range of opinions about cause marketing. The blog teaches nonprofits on how to use cause marketing and social media avenues to establish, grow and maintain strong relationships with their donors and consumers / customers.

Charity Navigator Blog (http://blog.charitynavigator.org/)

There are so many organizations that solicit for funds purporting to assist societies. This particular blog assists you to find charities that are genuine and who deserve your donations. The blog also will keep you updated on philanthropic issues.

Give Well Blog (http://blog.givewell.net/)

This blog offers donors with an easy to use tool to determine the charities that can have the kind of impact they want their donations to achieve in the long run. The blog publishes detailed information about an analysis they conduct on charities so that donors can decide on where to make their donations to.

Care2’s Nonprofit Marketing Blog (http://www.frogloop.com /)

Another great blog that assists those in the nonprofit world, those who seek to help the less privileged members of the society. This blog helps the charitable organizations to realize better returns from their online marketing activities.

Research Made Easy (http://issuelabfootnotes.blogspot.com/)

This blog helps people who want to do research work on nonprofit related issues. You will easily get information from this blog for your research work.

Michael Chatman is host of ‘The Giving Show’, the most listened-to radio program in the philanthropic sector. http://www.michaelchatman.com

In carrying out philanthropic work celebrities tend to work with specific financial institutions whose reputation is beyond reproach. These financial institutions have proven to be reliable and offer services that are tailored to meet the needs of philanthropic work. They are able to avail services to their clients at any time that the clients want to be served. There are no time limitations on when their customers can access their services. This is probably one of the major reasons as to why philanthropists have stuck with specific financial service providers.

Donor-advised funds offer celebrities with a viable charitable giving avenue whose purpose is to manage donations on behalf of the charitable organizations. This makes economic sense as it is easier to create a donor advised fund to make and receive donations. The administration is done by a charitable organization.

The following are the 5 most popular donor advised funds whose services have been used for philanthropic work and which celebrities trust to work with;

1. Raymond James

Raymond James offers a charity advised account that is meant for nonprofit organizations use only, basically they are offering a helping hand to charity work. This account offers many benefits to nonprofit organizations that are not apart of the other forms of accounts. The benefits include:

• It offers potential donors a plan
that fits their giving decisions

• A secure way of giving contributions
for the donors

• Donors get to enjoy a tax deduction
immediately they make their donations

• It eliminates any conflict that may
arise as a result of a consolidated
account

• Opening an account is less expensive
than maintaining a separate legal
entity for the charity

• The organization is assured of long-
term income streams

• Creditors cannot make any claim on
the contributions

2. Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab has been instrumental in supporting philanthropists in giving back to the society. They provide bank account facilities that are made to meet the needs of charitable organizations such as zero operational balance on accounts, zero charges on account etc. Schwab Charitable whose mission has been to increase charitable giving in the United States by providing advantageous ways to give, useful information and unbiased guidance is among the largest fundraising nonprofit organizations and a national donor-advised fund.

The organization works hand in hand with the donors and their advisors to develop strategies that meet the requirements of all donors to fulfill their charitable objectives and goals. It prides itself in offering an online portal that can be used in managing any donor’s philanthropic work easily with knowledgeable staff to meet assist a client in case of any problem.

3. Bank of America

The Bank of America’s commitment to meaningful change in the communities is envisioned it its philosophy of philanthropic efforts, associate volunteerism and community development. The following benefits are accrued form operating a donor advised fund with the Bank of America:

• You can make donations using
appreciated assets without incurring
capital gains taxes

• You can easily involve your family in
charitable work

• You can make grant recommendations
flexibly, for current use or for the
future

• You receive income tax deduction

• You can select from the multiple
investment objectives on offer

• You can manage your charitable giving
online

• You will be allowed to pick your own
fund name

4. Fidelity

The Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund, a giant in the donor advised funds. Fidelity has been able to raise 10 billion dollars in 19 years of its operations for nonprofit organizations. This is a trusted firm that offers top notch services to donors with a good client base. Its mission has been to help further the American tradition of philanthropy by offering programs that simplify charitable giving. Through the Giving Account®, its donor-advised fund program it has achieved this (part of it mission) and is still making improvements to its program to make it more receptive to donor needs and demands.

5. Vanguard

Vanguard Charitable offers a donor advised fund that is simple and effective in charitable giving for individuals and organizations to support the charities of their choice. Vanguard has been in existence since 1997 and accumulated a wealth of experience in this field of donor advised funds. It has received over 4 billion dollars as contributions towards nonprofits over the last 14 years of its existence. At Vanguard you will find knowledgeable staff, who are able to answer any of your queries.

Michael Chatman is Founder of Celebrity Philanthropy Agency, and host of The Michael Chatman Giving Show, the most listened-to radio program in the philanthropic sector. Follow him on twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelchatman – or visit website: http://www.michaelchatman.com

Coaching is a tough role. The hours are long, coaches spend many days away from home with their team, and unless you are one of the top coaches in the country, the pay is not as glamorous as you may think. The mornings are early and the long days tiring and if you ask any coach why they have chosen this career, they will tell you, you do it for the kids and the love of the game.

Coaching is an honorable role and one that many coaches have shown their greatness on the field as well as off through some of the most heartwarming philanthropic acts such as the following 10 most influential charitable college football coaches.

1. Mack Brown, coach of the Men’s Football College Team the Texas Longhorns

Team Value $119 million
Profit: $59 million
Conference: Big 12
Previous Value Rank: 2
Austin, Texas, Metro Population: 1,652,602

University of Texas licensed merchandise has outsold all other academic institutions for four consecutive years.

2. Brian Kelly* – Kelly Cares Foundation, coach for the Men’s Football College Team the Norte Dame Fighting Irish

Team Value: $108 million
Profit: $38 million
Conference: Independent
Previous Value Rank: 1
South Bend, Ind, Metro Population: 316,865

An agreement that gives Notre Dame 1/66 of all Bowl Championship Series net revenues, means the Fighting Irish have received $4 million in payments from the BCS over the last three years, despite going 15 – 21 in the regular season and not qualifying for a single New Year’s Day or later bowl game.

*Replaced Charlie Weis after 2009 season.

3. Nick Saban – Nick’s Kids Fund, coach for the Men’s College Football Team the Alabama Crimson Tide

Team Value: $92 million
Profit: 38 million
Conference: Southeastern
Previous Value Rank: 9
Tuscaloosa, Ala, Metro Population: 206,765

The waiting list to obtain season tickets for the Crimson Tide is currently 15,210 names on. Once selected, new ticket holders must make a donation to the athletic department that ranges from $5,000 to $500,000 (depending on seat location) before receiving any tickets.

4. Will Muschamp, coach for the Men’s College Football Team the Florida Gators.

Team Value: $88 million
Profit: $41 million
Conference: Southeastern
Previous Value Rank: 5
Gainesville, Fla, Metro Population: 258,555
Gator fans shelled out a total of $145,000 last year just to have their names inscribed on the brick pathway leading up to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

*Replaced Urban Meyer 2010 season.

5. Les Miles, coach for the Men’s College Football Team the Louisiana State Tigers

Team Value: $86 million
Profit: $39 million
Conference: Southeastern
Previous Value Rank: 6
Baton Rouge, La, Metro Population: 774,327

Each Tigers home game weekend generates an estimated $8.2 million in direct spending by visitors to East Baton Rouge Parish.

6. Luke Fickell, coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Team Value: $85 million
Profit: $36 million
Conference: Big Ten
Previous Value Rank: 10
Columbus, Ohio, Metro Population: 1,773,120

Ohio State is the only athletic department in the nation that can lay claim to having a team in the top 10 in both Forbes’ college football rankings and college basketball rankings, where they are the 10th most valuable team.

7. Mark Richt, coach of the Georgia Bulldogs.

Team Value: $84 million
Profit: $45 million
Conference: Southeastern
Previous Value Rank: 3
Athens, Ga., Metro Population: 189,264

Georgia Bulldogs apparel was the third highest selling of any university last academic year, behind only Texas and Florida.

8. Joe Paterno, coach for the Men’s College Football Team the Pennsylvania State Nittany Lions

Team Value: $99 million
Profit: $50 million
Conference: Big Ten
Previous Value Rank: 13
State College PA, Metro Population:

Penn State’s Beaver Stadium is the largest building in college football with a listed capacity of 107,282 (but has held almost 111.000 on game day)

9. Bo Pelini – Bo Pelini Foundation, coach for the Men’s College Football Team the Nebraska Cornhuskers

Team Value: $93 million
Profit: $49 million
Conference: Big 12
Lincoln, Neb, Metro Population: 295,486

Donations required by Nebraska for season ticket holders to keep their seats totaled $15 million last season.

10. Bob Stoops – Bob Stoops Champions Foundation, coach of the Men’s College Football Team the Oklahoma Sooners
Team Value: $83 million
Profit: $40 million
Conference: Big 12
Previous Value Rank: 11
Cleveland County, Okla., Population: 239,760

Of the $19.4 million raised by the Sooners in donations tied to season tickets last year, 92% was generated by the football team.
.

As a leading authority on new philanthropy and heading the country’s largest network of mission-related philanthropy it has been an honor to help many and to work with some wonderful people in the field. As a skilled orator, I’ve been able to pull many celebrities into assisting raise funds to tackle societal problems within and outside our borders. The annual philanthropy summits have engaged thousands of attendees each year attracting huge donations towards the network.

Some of the notable celebrities who are known to be generous and who offer support to philanthropic work include:

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah, rated as the most philanthropic African American personality, Oprah’s successful life has been an inspiration to many. She has given millions of dollars in her philanthropic work. Through organizations such as Oprah’s Angel Network whose main objective is to encourage people to make a difference in somebody’s life. Other players in the world of philanthropy have been able to play their part through this organization which greatly assisted in building new homes for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Oprah is currently involved in supporting the Leadership Academy for Girls near Johannesburg in South Africa. In setting up the academy she invested $40 million.

Matt Damon

Damon has been involved in campaigns aimed at stopping the Darfur war. His tireless efforts towards the resolution of the Darfur war have been phenomenal. He is also the founder of H2O Africa which merged with WaterPartners to create water.org that was addressing the water crisis in Africa.
Damon is also a board member of Tonic Mailstopper whose work is to try and stop the flow of junk mails and cutting of trees to conserve the environment.
Damon’s support towards the efforts of One Campaign in the fight against Aids and poverty in third world countries has been immense. An ambassador of ONEXONE he has been fighting to improve the lives of children at home in Canada, United States and around the world.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

The two have been involved in building of new homes for residents of New Orleans who were displaced by hurricane Katrina. Through Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation they have immensely contributed towards the reconstruction of New Orleans.
Angelina has also been involved in assisting and advocating for the needy in society as a goodwill ambassador of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Ben Affleck

The man has put his best foot forward by tackling the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was involved in the release of a film that highlighted the problems that refugees in DRC had to put up with. The film was through a collaborative effort between the United Nations and Ben Affleck.

Alicia Keys

She has been inspiring American youths to achieve success as a spokesperson for Frum Tha Ground Up.
The singer is the ambassador for Keep A Child Alive and has traveled to countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa, speaking to teens and young adults who have lost their parents to AIDS and are now the heads of their households.

Madonna

She is well remembered in recent times for her adoption of a Malawian child. The pop icon is also greatly involved in the provision of water, food, schooling amenities and medical care in Malawi for the country’s orphans.

Michael J. Fox

He has been supporting research works to combat the Parkinson’s disease. Through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research he has raised over $100 million to date.

Sir Elton John

The man has accumulated a lot of wealth which he has been using to support the fit against Aids in the world. Through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which he founded in 1992 he has raised more than $125 million to support programs in the world.

Bono

Bono has championed for the alleviation of poverty in the third world countries. His calls for debt relief and AIDs awareness campaigns have seen him work in corporation with groups such as Greenpeace and Amnesty International.

Jackie Chan

He has been actively involved in helping youngsters who are at risk in Hong Kong. He also made a huge donation to UNICEF for tsunami relief in 2004. His other significant contribution was towards the Chrysalis, which is a non-profit organization in Los Angeles which assists the homeless.

Michael Chatman is Chief Giving Officer of Celebrity Philanthropy Agency, which helps celebrities raise funds for charitable causes. Contact: www.michaelchatman.com.

The following athletes have been able to offer support in the alleviation of societal problems;

Lebron James
A star who has a huge following in the basketball court. Lebron has been supporting many charitable organizations including Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Before his switch to the Miami Heat he donated the proceeds of his hour- long interview to Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the amount totaled to over $2.0 million.

Tiger Woods
A long standing number one in the golf world for many years, Tiger Woods through his Tiger Woods Foundation has been able to give a chance to the youth to enjoy a college education. The foundation mainly targets under privileged youths from the society. The foundation has been in existence since 1996 and has been able to reach millions of youths worldwide.

Tim Tebow

He is an American Football Quarterback who plays for Denver Broncos, an accomplished footballer who also happens to support many charitable events and organizations. Tim Tebow through his foundation has been able to raise millions of dollars mainly to support children related courses. His support includes an orphanage in Philippines as well as schooling in Colorado and Gainesville.

Brett Favre
He is a three-time NFL MVP and a Super Bowl Champion. Brett has been supporting youthful football teams by assisting them with technical support to hone their skills. This noble man has also been involved in supporting charitable organizations, at one time he gave a personal donation of $1.2 million to his foundation, Favre 4 Hope Foundation. His foundation takes care of the needs of under privileged kids in the society.

Serena Williams
She is a former number 1 tennis player who has won seven grand slam titles. Serena Williams has been instrumental in supporting education through her foundation and Build African Schools. So far she has helped build two schools in Kenya, The Serena Williams Secondary School in Matooni and Wee Secondary School in Makueni.

Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce nicknamed “The Truth” is a professional basketball player who plays for Boston Celtics. Through his foundation Paul Pierce’s The Truth on Health, he has been educating the American youths on healthy lifestyles using an online fitness club. The foundation also preaches to the youth for the need to keep away from gangs.

Lance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong is a former professional road cyclist who won a record seven consecutive Tour de France races. Lance Armstrong is a founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation which he founded after having survived testicular cancer himself. The foundation is involved in providing support to cancer patients.

Shaquille O’Neal
The gentle giant who announced his retirement from NBA at the start of this month, he has won many accolades on the court and off the court as a basketball player, rapper and actor. Shaq has also been involved in giving to the less fortunate members of the community. After Hurricane Katrina Shaq was in the front line accepting medical donations, and others forms of donations for victims of the hurricane. O’Neal also offered to rent 400 apartments for refugees in Dallas and other regions.

Jeff Gordon
Jeffery Michael Gordon is a professional NASCAR driver with an impressive record of wins. Jeff Gordon helps in funding programs that offer support to children who have cancer. Jeff has also established a Children’s Hospital in Concord, North Carolina.

Andy Roddick
Andy Roddick is an accomplished professional tennis player who also happens to be a former world number 1. The Andy Roddick Foundation founded by Andy Roddick provides support to needy children with quality education while at the same time helping them with other necessities.

Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols is a Dominican professional baseball player who plays for St. Louis Cardinals in the MLB. He has been an MVP on three occasions coupled with other accolades. Through his foundation Pujols Family Foundation, Pujols has helped people living with Down Syndrome and also offers support in improving the lives of the impoverished in the Dominican Republic.

Apolo Anto Ohno
A Winter Olympian who is well decorated in the history of the games and a star of the Winter Olympics held in 2010. Using his Apolo Anton Ohno Foundation he partnered with The Century Council to kick out underage drinking and help Kids in schools to adopt healthy lifestyles. Apolo Anto Ohno seeks to help youths of all ages regards of they socio-economic standings to make positive choices.

Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps has been sensational in the swimming pool, equaling the records set previously in Olympic games. Having won a record eight gold medals in the Beijing Olympics he received a bonus of 1 million dollars which he used to form the Michael Phelps Foundation which promotes water safety and encourages swimming among the youth.

Lindsey Vonn
A star at the Winter Olympics of 2010 Lindsey Vonn put her ski gear up for an auction on eBay for the proceeds to be used in helping victims of the Haitian earthquake through the Red Cross.

Roger Federer
Roger Federer is one of the greatest tennis players of all time having won a whopping eight grand slam titles. The Roger Federer Foundation founded by Roger Federer himself helps children in acquiring education and partake in sporting activities. He is also a goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.

David Beckham
David Beckham is a philanthropist at heart. He supports many charitable organizations including his own charity Victoria and David Beckham Charitable Trust. Others include Malaria No More, Help for Heroes, and he is an Ambassador of UNICEF.

Shaun White
A two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White supports healthy living, he supports Yum-o! a charitable organization that seeks to help families and kids improve their relationships with food and cooking.

Phil Mickelson
An American professional golfer, he supports education for the youth through his foundation. He has been known to give school supplies to students.

Eli Manning
An American football player undertook a five year campaign to raise 2.5 million dollars to construct a state of the art pediatric clinic.

Maria Sharapova
She is a former world number 1Russian professional tennis player who is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program. The UNDP in partnership with her foundation (Maria Sharapova Foundation) have been able to offer support to projects aimed at the youth in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

Michael Chatman Giving Show is the fastest-growing radio program in philanthropy. Listen every Thursday at 11:30 am (eastern time), www.michaelchatman.com.

There’s a new breed of philanthropists in town, and they’re doing BIG things; just in smaller amounts. These maverick philanthropists give from their hearts and consistently contribute $5,000 to $50,000 every year. They are the lifeblood of charitable organizations.

It’s voted of the most refreshing clubs anywhere, which is why the group is gaining popularity. Members are fun, down-to-earth and some of the most admired philanthropists. Many are small business owners and high-income professionals making a big impact on society and represent the largest segment of the donor pool, but receive very little (if any) recognition – until now!
The point of the club: to create a network for individual philanthropists with smaller resources to make impact change, make more risk-taking grants that leverage greater change than the size of their donation and provide non-profits with support that not only improves lives – but inspires systemic change.

“Most of our members, say exclusive philanthropist circles, forums and clubs that offer membership fees at $10,000 to $25,000 annually are out of their financial reach, attract people that are sometimes “stuffy” and waste money on fancy dinners, galas and unnecessary bells and whistles to attract the rich. Philanthropists who donate smaller resources based more on sacrificial giving and not out of abundance are left on the outer fringes,” says Jack Houston, director of the Association of Maverick Philanthropists (AMP).

The AMP is the brainchild of Michael Chatman, Founder of Philanthropy Speakers Agency, the Nation’s most influential talent agency for executives, authors, celebrity humanitarians and experts in the charitable sector. While it’s common for philanthropists to join circles and clubs, Chatman’s group is the first to build a respectable network of philanthropists donating as little as $5,000 annually. He recognized early on that small donors make up the largest segment of the donor pool and bring financial stability to non-profits who would struggle without their support.

Chatman saw a need for an organization for philanthropists who are not necessarily rich and although their financial contributions are smaller, they can still have a BIG impact.

Today the maverick philanthropist’s members, who pay a small membership fee of $125 in annual dues, attracts members from the U.S. and overseas. The chance to hangout with one another at non-traditional philanthropist events like its annual Maverick Philanthropist Summit & Down-Home Barbeque Throw Down (an event influenced by Chatman’s appreciation for Bobby Flay, Celebrity Chef and Food Network Television Personality,) is a big part of AMP’s appeal.

As befits such an unusual group in the philanthropic community, these encounters are often more relaxed and feel more like a backyard barbeque rather than an elite gala at a Rockefeller family estate. At gatherings, people are wearing jeans, flip-flops, sandals, t-shirts, casual pants, women sporting ponytails as they line dance with their husbands; and there is plenty of laughter in the air. “The other philanthropist groups did not suit my style. I like the fact that people who join AMP are not full of themselves. The whole atmosphere makes you feel like you’re having a beer with a friend. It’s just so relaxed and down to earth. I just love it,” says Wayne Johnson, AMP member.

The group is not into swanky settings and celebrity sightings. There is no question members have fun, but they are in it for the philanthropy and want to make a difference. The AMP is a combination of Southwest Airlines (no frills) and Walmart (low cost leader) in a sea of dozens of overpriced forums and clubs aimed at attracting the Gates, Rockefellers, Fords and people who appear on Forbes list of wealthiest people in the world.

The AMP provides a way for philanthropists donating smaller amounts to share their successes and learn from one another’s mistakes as they wrestle with issues that transcend their financial giving capacity. The group offers a no holds barred, content-rich newsletter packed with updates, tips, case studies and networking opportunities and its annual Maverick Philanthropist Summit and Down Home Barbeque Throw Down.

The group has virtually no overhead and not dependent on corporate sponsors to financially support the organization. They rely on virtual assistants to manage projects and communicate with members. As befits such a maverick organization, the operation is self-sustaining and doesn’t solicit outside funding. “Membership fees are intentionally low to free up extra cash for members to donate more to charitable causes rather than pissing away resources on wasteful activities and printed materials that nobody ever reads,” says Nelson Diaz, a Florida beverage industry consultant and member of AMP.

“A simple monthly newsletter with straight-to-the point information and an annual event that brings members together for face to face conversation, friendship building and let your hair down fun centered around philanthropy are the only two things members receive. People check their egos at the door and get focused on helping people in need,” added Diaz.

The AMP believes small philanthropists, much like small business owners, are the backbone of the economy and account for a large percentage of charitable funding. While members do not have the financial capacity to pour millions of dollars into causes, they can consistently provide charities with gifts of $5,000 to $50,000 to maintain its operation, launch smaller initiatives and be the difference between an employee keeping a job or being let go due to lack of funding.

To become a maverick philanthropist, sign up is easy, affordable and fast!
JOIN NOW!

Michael cut his gang ties, focused on his studies, and graduated from high school as Outstanding Student of the Year. He lettered in three sports and was named an All-American Athlete in football. He went on to study at Missouri State University, where he graduated with athletic and academic honors in pre-law and public speaking.

Michael made another important decision about his life: to help young people realize their opportunities are not limited by their circumstances or their environment. In 1990, he debuted a presentation designed to help young people:

• Choose to overcome their fears.
• Choose to raise their standards.
• Choose to develop a positive attitude.

Choose to develop a sense of humor. Michael helps teenagers realize that despite peer pressure and the many other challenges they may face, underage drinking is not the answer. Students relate to Michael because he doesn’t lecture, he tells a story that in many ways is their story. He makes audiences laugh using subtle humor. And perhaps most importantly, Michael tells young people the truth. His no-nonsense approach gets their attention, and wins their respect.

Click here to visit Anheuser Busch Beeresponsible web site.

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