#GivingTuesday founder and executive director of New York City’s famed 92nd Street Y (92Y) Henry Timms will speak October 15 in Indianapolis as Lake Institute on Faith + Giving’s 2015 Distinguished Visitor.
In just its fourth year, #GivingTuesday, an annual, global day dedicated to giving back, has become an international phenomenon. On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, nonprofits, businesses, community centers, families and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give, fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
Timms will share tips, trends and lessons learned from a growing, global philanthropic movement. He will also discuss the idea of “new power” and the importance of harnessing its energy for good -- using #GivingTuesday as an example of new power at work.
The event, which is presented by Lake Institute on Faith + Giving, in partnership with Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), will be held on October 15 at 11:00 a.m. at CTS, 1000 W 42nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208. It is free and open to the public.
“Today’s nonprofits, congregations and community organizations are exploring ways that innovative, cutting-edge ideas can help them expand their effectiveness and impact,” said David P. King, the Karen Lake Buttrey Director of the institute. “Henry Timms is at the forefront of that movement, teaching others to think differently about the means by which they advance the greater social good.”
Timms co-founded the annual Social Good Summit, which pioneered a new, inclusive summit model that opened up critical discussions to a much wider audience and led to concurrent gatherings around the world. As an extension of the Social Good Summit, Timms, in partnership with Wesleyan University President Michael Roth, developed a MOOC (massive open online course) called “How to Change the World,” in which 51,000 students participated in its first year.
In a recent Harvard Business Review article, “Understanding ‘New Power,’” Timms and co-author Jeremy Heimans examine changing power structures in the nonprofit, business and government sectors, urging, “Those capable of channeling the power of the crowd must turn their energies to something more fundamental: redesigning society’s systems and structures to meaningfully include and empower more people. The greatest test for the conductors of new power will be their willingness to engage with the challenges of the least powerful.”
The Lake Distinguished Visitor program brings visionary philanthropic practitioners to Indiana to share their stories with community leaders, local philanthropists and related public groups. In addition to the lecture, five other Indianapolis-area events are scheduled for October 14-15, as part of the 2015 Lake Distinguished Visitor program.
About Lake Institute on Faith + Giving
Lake Institute on Faith + Giving exists to foster a greater understanding of the ways in which faith inspires and informs giving through research, education and training. The institute offers customized programs that translates data and giving trends into practical tools. Lake Institute supports the development of research designed to explore the broad context of religious giving. Through public forums we engage practitioners, scholars and the community in thoughtful conversation and reflection. Follow us on Twitter @LakeInstitute.
About the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change in the world. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith + Giving and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter @IUPhilanthropy and “Like” us on Facebook.
About Christian Theological Seminary
Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) is a fully accredited graduate school, open to all, related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). More than 30 denominations are represented among CTS faculty, staff, and students, and the school enjoys a vibrant, longstanding tradition of interfaith dialogue and engagement. CTS offers eight graduate-level degree programs, including theology, ministry, and counseling.