In the May-June issue GRAND Magazine we mention Global Grandmothers. Here’s more:
Diana McDonough spent 30 years as an educator and when she began to have grandchildren, she realized how fortunate they were to be born into her family, in America—the wealthiest nation in the world—and created an easy way for grandmothers to make charitable donations that benefit children who aren’t born into wealth. The website is full of fabulous information, and makes giving easy. Please do check it out—and pledge to become a “Global Grandmother” too.
The Birth of Global Grandmothers: Diana’s Story
After my granddaughter was born I couldn’t believe how she captivated me — so perfect in each detail, so fragile, — and so promising! But I was bothered too – by how much she enjoyed when so many children in the world had so little. By an accident of fate my granddaughter was born into a loving family in the world’s richest country while an equally-deserving baby with loving parents was born into poverty and privation. How unfair the world seemed – and how little I was doing about it!
That was when I conceived of Global Grandmothers. The basic idea was simple – give to a child in need when you give to a grandchild – linked giving. Let the world’s children benefit from the pooled generosity of caring grandmothers.
A simple method, I thought, would be to establish a website where grandmothers – and other caring individuals – could register their commitment to linked giving, keep track of that commitment, and contribute to organizations effective in supporting children worldwide. Maybe I could also make my grandchild aware of that linked gift, and global need, at the same time.
Global Grandmothers would not seek funds for itself. Instead, – it would be a conduit. It would generate commitment and facilitate giving to child-centered charities. I purchased the web domains “global grandmothers.com” and “global grandmothers.org.”
On August 23, 2009 I read the New York Times Magazine article “Why Women’s Rights Are the Cause of Our Time” by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The article announced the “Half the Sky Contest” asking readers to write about their efforts to address women and girls’ issues worldwide. Forcing myself to get serious, I submitted the Global Grandmothers’ idea. Although I didn’t win, it motivated me to engage others in this project, to incorporate, and to establish a website!
By April 2010 Global Grandmothers was incorporated and by October it received federal 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Our website went live on January 18, 2011.
If you are reading this, you are one of the hundreds, thousands, and ultimately millions of people I hope will become Global Grandmothers. Please join me in linked giving – when you give to a child you know and love, give to a child in need.
Take the Pledge
Are you looking for a consistent way to share with the needy children of the world?
Global Grandmothers has an answer.
When you become a Global Grandmother you pledge to give to a child in need when you give to your own grandchild.
We provide
— informative links to child-centered organizations for your donations,
— a gift-giving journal to help you keep track of what you’ve given,
— updates on what other global grandmothers are doing,
— ways to let the children in your life know you give to others when you give to them.
