The first of six in the How Life Works Series, How Generosity Works follows in the tradition of How Yoga Works by illustrating through contemporary fable how one can create a happier life. The teachings draw from 8th Century Buddhist monk Master Shantideva's A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life but are accessible to anyone looking for inspiration, regardless of background or belief. Never preachy, How Generosity Works demonstrates how to transform pain and anger into a profound experience of love. The fable centers on Troy, a young man grieving the death of his good friend and Grace, a middle-aged Buddhist practitioner. Troy has returned home after failing too many college classes. At his father's house, he endures the unwelcoming scorn from a combative stepmother. Troy and Grace connect through music, which sets the spae for deeper teaching of Master Shantideva's verses, interwoven throughout the text. Empowered by the knowledge that Grace imparts, Troy takes control of his own life as he begins the journey out of his pain. The How Life Works series is a collection of beautifully packaged, small hardcover books, designed for inspirational giving. The series is based on the six perfections: generosity, ethics, patience, joyous effort, concentration, and wisdom.

In The Paradox of Generosity, Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson offer vital insight into how American adults conceive of and demonstrate generosity. Focusing not only on financial giving but on the many diverse forms philanthropy can take, they show the impact--both positive and negative--that giving has on individuals.

American charitable giving veers from the hyperbolically generous to the hyperbolically stingy. On some days, no one has a quarter to spare; in times of disaster, Americans will put their lives on hold to build houses for those displaced by hurricanes. The crucial question of who gives and why they do it lies at the heart of American Generosity. Patricia Snell Herzog and Heather E. Price, sociologists who focus on philanthropy, draw on findings from the groundbreaking Science of Generosity initiative, which combines a nationally representative survey of adult Americans with in-depth interviews and case studies. For most Americans, they find, the important forms of giving are: donating money, volunteering time, and taking political action. Focusing on these three types of activity, the authors go on to examine and analyze multiple dimensions of resources, social status, regional cultural norms, different approaches to giving, social-psychological orientation, and the relational contexts of generosity. Herzog and Price conclude that giving is supported by "circles of generosity," which ripple outward in their reach to targets of giving. The book offers not just analysis, but practical tips for readers who want to increase their own giving, for parents modeling giving to their children, spouses desiring alignment in their giving, and friends and community members seeking to support giving by others. The authors also provide explicit fundraising ideas for nonprofits, foundations, and religious leaders. Thought-provoking and accessibly written, American Generosity lays out a broad yet nuanced explanation of giving that sheds important new light on a topic that touches all of us in one way or another.

Before the 99% occupied Wall Street... Before the concept of social justice had impinged on the social conscience... Before the social safety net had even been conceived... By the turn of the 20th Century, the era of the robber barons, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) had already accumulated a staggeringly large fortune; he was one of the wealthiest people on the globe. He guaranteed his position as one of the wealthiest men ever when he sold his steel business to create the United States Steel Corporation. Following that sale, he spent his last 18 years, he gave away nearly 90% of his fortune to charities, foundations, and universities. His charitable efforts actually started far earlier. At the age of 33, he wrote a memo to himself, noting ..".The amassing of wealth is one of the worse species of idolatry. No idol more debasing than the worship of money." In 1881, he gave a library to his hometown of Dunfermline, Scotland. In 1889, he spelled out his belief that the rich should use their wealth to help enrich society, in an article called "The Gospel of Wealth" this book. Carnegie writes that the best way of dealing with wealth inequality is for the wealthy to redistribute their surplus means in a responsible and thoughtful manner, arguing that surplus wealth produces the greatest net benefit to society when it is administered carefully by the wealthy. He also argues against extravagance, irresponsible spending, or self-indulgence, instead promoting the administration of capital during one's lifetime toward the cause of reducing the stratification between the rich and poor. Though written more than a century ago, Carnegie's words still ring true today, urging a better, more equitable world through greater social consciousness.

The general practices related to church funding aren’t producing the same results they have in the past. There is a general acceptance that something has changed but little talk or interest is coming from traditional church leader training sources such as denominational entities and seminaries. Pastors are largely left to their own devices to “figure this out.” They need a lifeline. While some churches are experiencing exponential growth, some churches - despite their best efforts - have been unsuccessful at moving beyond survival mode. Coupled with increased competition from other nonprofits and a decline in the commitment to give to the church first, churches risk losing the funding they need. A growing number of leaders are beginning to discover there is another way and are struggling to understand what makes one church generous and another not. There is a need in the market to offer a simple, working definition of “generosity” and reveal the “secrets” some church leaders seem to have simply stumbled upon which are resulting in unexplainable ministry growth and unprecedented church funding even in the midst of tough economic times. The content of this material was developed and refined by Jim Sheppard and Chris Willard through years of ministry leadership in the local church, consulting with church leaders across a broad spectrum of church settings, and through participation in and leadership of the Generous Church Leadership Community facilitated by Leadership Network. Of particular benefit will be the collection of observations and best practices gleaned during the Generous Church Leadership Community that originated within real-life church leadership situations and scenarios by highlighting specific challenges, methods, and successes.

How does commitment to a university become so significant that it prompts giving that can impact generations of students? Are donors motivated by their own experiences, memories of friends and mentors, or aspirations to fund cutting edge research, teaching, and service? At Indiana University, authentic and trusting partnerships pave the way for donors to invest in the causes they believe in, resulting in the creation of knowledge, of opportunity, and of beauty across campus. The Spirit of Generosity: Shaping IU through Philanthropy shares compelling stories of thirteen partnerships that have advanced the common good at Indiana University. These relationships, though unique, are founded on the understanding that gifts reflect the values and dreams of donors. Whether giving endows a chair, funds scholarships, or renovates buildings, it is infused with deep meaning and leaves a lasting impact on the university community. This book honors the generosity of spirit that motivates philanthropy and helps Indiana University fulfill its mission to provide broad access to education, excel in innovative research and teaching, and improve the human condition.

In the tradition of the bestselling book The One Minute Manager, authors Ken Blanchard and S. Truett Cathy, entrepreneur and founder of Chick-fil-A restaurants, present The Generosity Factor--a parable that demonstrates the virtues of generosity. It's the story of a meeting between the Broker--a young man on his way up the corporate ladder who has the illusion of success, yet deep inside feels insignificant--and the Executive--the CEO of a very large and successful company who claims the greatest joy in his life is his ability to give to others. Thinking he might get a competitive edge by meeting with the Executive, the Broker's worldview is turned upside down as he talks to the Executive and hears the principles that form his life. He calls it The Generosity Factor--a way to give time, talent, treasure, and touch to those in need. Providing a unique twist on what it means to thrive in business, at home, and in life, this story will forever change your definition of success.