cover image The Generosity Plan: Sharing Your Time, Treasure, and Talent to Shape the World

The Generosity Plan: Sharing Your Time, Treasure, and Talent to Shape the World

Kathy LeMay, . . Atria/Beyond Words, $15 (240pp) ISBN 978-1-58270-234-6

Professional global activist LeMay (founder and head of Raising Change), sets out to accomplish a twofold task with her inspirational handbook. First, she ventures to redefine the word “philanthropist” as an egalitarian title that can apply to the masses as well as the rich. The second is to show readers, step-by-step, just how easy it is to be philanthropic, regardless of personality or personal budget. LeMay's success on both counts emerges from her commitment to her causes, the disarming candor of her personal stories of triumph, and the thoughtful discussion points and charts she provides to structure the financial planning process for giving on any salary. Unfortunately, the book's greatest strength is also its weakness—LeMay's well-presented plan is not a quick solution, but requires time, thought, and preparation. Hopefully, readers will be inspired by her characterization of philanthropy as an act of leadership and bravery in a world that is desperately wanting, rather than be discouraged by the long journey ahead. (Jan.)