Philanthropy is “the love of humankind,” and National Philanthropy Day (NPD) on Saturday is the day that thousands of people around the world come together to put philanthropy into action and recognise the change that philanthropy has brought to their communities.

The Bermuda Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) was formed in April of this year and as such, this is our first year joining the over 200 other chapters and 30,000 members worldwide in this annual celebration. Every year since 1986, AFP Chapters have encouraged communities across the globe to celebrate NPD by hosting events to recognise the activities of donors, volunteers, foundations, leaders, corporations, and others engaged in philanthropy. NPD also seeks to increase public interest and awareness of the importance of philanthropy, as well as knowledge on giving, volunteering and engagement at the charitable level so people can practice effective philanthropy.

Philanthropy is not just financial giving. It is also volunteering and charitable engagement and on National Philanthropy Day we must highlight the accomplishments, large and small, that philanthropy — and all those involved in the philanthropic process — makes to our Bermuda community and our world.

This year, AFP Bermuda chose to honour the Bank of Bermuda Foundation by donating a cedar tree in the Foundation’s honour on one of the National Trust properties most affected by the recent storms. This will become an annual event, recognising someone or an organisation involved in philanthropy by planting a tree that can grow and flourish, just as philanthropy in Bermuda must continue to grow and flourish.

This week we also introduced a campaign asking people to recognise their Philanthropic Idol, someone who inspires them or someone they look up to. I chose to recognise two people. The first is someone close to me, my grandmother, Vivian Burland who, among many charitable endeavours, drove Red Cross patients to and from appointments, into her 80s, stopping only when my grandfather fell ill. The second is Chuck Feeney, the subject of a book entitled The Billionaire who Wasn’t, because he quite literally gave away a fortune worth billions, setting up The Atlantic Philanthropies which has funded projects around the world, including Bermuda, with more than $6.5 billion. Mr Feeney believes strongly that the best use of one’s wealth is to give of it, to help others. You can learn more about the Philanthropic Idol campaign on our Facebook page: facebook.com/afpbermuda

One of the goals of AFP is to promote stewardship, donor trust and effective and ethical fundraising. We require all of our members to abide by the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards, signing to do just that, annually. It doesn’t matter if you are donating $25 or $5 million. All donors should expect that their donation will be solicited in an ethical manner, and be stewarded according to their intent. That is the job of a fundraiser; to raise funds for an organisation, but I think it is less clinical than that. My job, my privilege really, is to connect people with a cause that moves them; to facilitate, encourage and support philanthropy. My greatest joy is when I see people giving to an organisation they believe in; a mission they feel strongly that they must support.

This National Philanthropy Day, and throughout the year, I encourage you to reflect on what inspires you to give or to volunteer, and how you can make even more of a difference in our community. If you have a philanthropic idol, let them know how they have inspired you and thank them for their service. Tell them that you appreciate what they are doing to make our community a better place. People need to be inspired, motivated, encouraged and reminded how important philanthropy is. Indeed, there is a Jewish saying, “Deeds of giving are the very foundations of the world” which I believe sums up what National Philanthropy Day is all about.

Jennifer Burland Adams is president of the Bermuda chapter of AFP, and director of advancement at the Bermuda High School. AFP Bermuda represents 22 fundraisers who in turn represent most of the largest and well-known non-profit organisations in Bermuda.