What's Next
For the past week, Clark and I traveled 1,400 miles to a small town in the middle of Nebraska to spend Thanksgiving with his grandparents. Between the time in the car and exploring the open land, we were able to spend time considering the next steps of The Giving Gifts. We have officially launched The Giving Gifts with our friends and family, we have had some incredible conversations with you, and have introduced The Giving Gifts to Clark’s second church family in Nebraska. Everyone always asks a very similar question, something like, ”what is next?”
Right now, we are in the startup stage. That means we are completing the 501(c)(3) process, getting our organizational infrastructure in place, and will be giving out our first three micro loans. These are all exciting steps but require a lot of critical thinking, planning, and preparing. Our funding goal for the start up stage is to raise $5,000. $3,000 will go directly into developing the first three micro-loans. These microloans are not determined yet, but we are spending the majority of our time figuring out that process. As we make developments, we will be using this platform (our blog) to share that with you, so we’d love it if you followed along! If you want to learn more about giving towards our start up goal, please email us at info@thegivinggifts.org or check out the contact page and fill out the connect form (there is a free cup of coffee awaiting you, donation or not).
Right now, as I am sitting in a coffee shop in Winter Park, Colorado, there is snow outside, and Christmas music is playing. The holiday season is officially in full swing and the whirlwind of busyness will quickly consume us. Thanksgiving may be over but the value of being thankful is critical to keep us grounded during the rush of gifts, vacations, and a new year quickly approaching. This past week, I had the opportunity to actually slow down. It was in Nebraska that I was less aware of my to-do list and more aware of my presence and responsibility in this very moment. My responsibility is to share the stories of real people with real potential. We were able to share the vision of The Giving Gifts with a group of elders, a small town church, in wonderful homes with some amazing people, and over and over I am in awe that the idea of The Giving Gifts can have an impact on anyone. I want to encourage you, challenge you, dare you, whatever it takes for you to ask yourself how The Giving Gifts can impact you, your families, your own communities, and throughout the globe.
- Cas