Jimmy Lustig | Lustig Family Foundation

Jimmy Lustig is an active philanthropist. He and his wife created the Lustig Family Foundation.

Tag: community

The Next Steps After a Leadership Change in Your Charity

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On January 8, 2024

In Blog, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

A leadership change in a charitable organization marks a significant moment that necessitates careful planning and strategic actions. Successfully navigating this transition requires a thoughtful approach to maintaining the organization’s mission, engaging stakeholders, and fostering a sense of continuity. Here are key steps to consider after a leadership change in your charity:

Conduct a Comprehensive Transition Plan

Start by conducting a comprehensive transition plan that outlines the key aspects of the change. Identify immediate priorities, critical tasks, and long-term goals. This plan should thoroughly assess the organization’s current state, challenges, and opportunities.

Communicate Transparently with Stakeholders

Transparent communication is paramount during a leadership change. Keep stakeholders informed about the transition process, the reasons behind the change, and the vision for the future. Open and honest communication builds trust and ensures that all stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and staff, are on the same page.

Assess and Strengthen Internal Operations

Take the opportunity to assess and strengthen internal operations. This may involve conducting a review of existing processes, evaluating the efficiency of workflows, and identifying areas for improvement. Streamlining operations contributes to the organization’s overall effectiveness and prepares it for sustained success under new leadership.

Engage with the Board of Directors

Collaboration with the board of directors is crucial for a smooth leadership transition. Work closely with the board to define strategic goals, align organizational priorities, and establish a clear vision for the charity’s future. The board’s support and guidance are pivotal in steering the organization in the right direction.

Empower and Motivate the Team

A change in leadership can create uncertainty among the staff. Empower and motivate the team by providing clear communication, emphasizing the organization’s mission, and instilling a sense of purpose. Recognize and celebrate the contributions of the team, reinforcing a positive and collaborative work culture.

Assess and Strengthen External Relationships

Evaluate and strengthen external relationships with donors, partners, and the community. Cultivate existing connections and explore opportunities for new collaborations. Open communication with external stakeholders ensures continued support and reinforces the charity’s position within the broader community.

Develop a Succession Plan for Future Stability

Learn from the transition experience and develop a succession plan for future stability. A well-thought-out succession plan identifies potential future leaders within the organization, ensures a smooth handover of responsibilities, and mitigates disruptions caused by future leadership changes.

Foster a Culture of Adaptability

Foster a culture of adaptability within the organization. Embrace change as a natural part of growth and encourage a mindset that values innovation and continuous improvement. A culture of adaptability positions the charity to navigate future challenges and seize new opportunities.

 

Jimmy Lustig How to Get Employees Excited About Volunteering

How to Get Employees Excited About Volunteering

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On May 24, 2022

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

Being a good citizen is the right thing to do, and volunteering can help companies thrive. It can also help organizations develop and grow. Aside from being beneficial to the individuals who participate, community service also benefits the organizations that it supports.

It’s important for team leaders and managers to understand the various benefits of community service. Aside from being beneficial to the individuals who participate, it can also benefit the organizations that it supports. This is why it’s important that they are inspired to give back.

  1. Offer Paid Time for Volunteering

Although it’s not always possible for everyone to volunteer off the clock, volunteering can still be a great way to show your commitment to the community. Having paid time off for volunteering can be a great way to demonstrate your love for the community.

According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resources Management, over 20 percent of companies offered paid time off to their employees for volunteering. A total of 82 percent of companies that were included in the 2014 Civic 50 also offered paid time off to their employees.

  1. Share Opportunities

Doing the work for the team members instead of asking them to research volunteer opportunities can help them find ways to give back. You can also create a weekly email digest that provides a list of volunteer opportunities that the team can explore.

List out volunteer opportunities that are focused on different skill sets such as teaching, tutoring, or painting. You can also start a formal partnership with a local organization to help the team members get involved. Before you start a volunteer program, make sure that the details about the organization and the time commitment are included in the list. This will help your employees determine if they are the right fit for their lifestyle.

  1. Create Leadership Opportunities

Being able to take on more responsibility can help employees develop their skills and improve their performance. It can also help them feel valued and supported at work.

Although it’s important to have a volunteer coordinator, it’s also important to identify the individuals who can be given leadership roles. You can also start by developing a list of skills that your team members can use to improve their performance. Consider your team’s skills and interests and how they might be utilized in a volunteer setting.

  1. Encourage Office Leaders to Be Examples

Seeing leaders commit to volunteering can help team members feel more positive about their participation. It can also help them feel supported and valued at work. To make sure that the team members are comfortable with the idea of giving back, encourage team leaders to regularly talk about the company’s social responsibility initiatives.

  1. Reward Volunteers

Make sure that your team members are not only recognized for their hard work but that they’re also encouraged to get involved. Having a reward system can help make volunteering more of a part of the company culture.

One of the most important factors that you can consider when it comes to rewarding team members is their commitment to the community. Doing so can help demonstrate the company’s commitment to social responsibility. In 2014, 50 percent of companies featured in the Civic 50 list of Points of Light included community engagement work in their performance reviews.

 

Robert Downey Jr.'s Latest Philanthropic Investment

Robert Downey Jr.’s Latest Philanthropic Investment

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On February 17, 2021

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy, Uncategorized

Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. has been covertly making headways into the world of environmental research the last few years. In 2019, Downey Jr. founded the Footprint Coalition, an organization geared toward supporting scientific research and sustainability technologies. Earlier this week, Downey Jr. revealed a new arm of the Footprint Coalition at the Davos Agenda of the World Economic Forum: Footprint Coalition Ventures. Downey Jr. explains that Footprint Coalition Ventures will be the investment branch of the organization and that its mission will be seeking out and supporting companies that research sustainability.

Downey Jr. went into further detail on the goals of Footprint Coalition Ventures in an interview with reporters from Fast Company. Downey Jr. explains that creating Footprint Coalition Ventures will put the Footprint Coalition in a better position to help answer vital sustainability questions. Continuing, Downey Jr. says that Footprint Coalition Ventures have two types of funds, one for preliminary investments and the other for subsequent investment opportunities. Furthermore, the company follows a rolling fund investment schedule. In this manner, investors will be able transfer funds to companies on a quarterly basis, making Footprint Coalition Ventures more accessible to different kinds of investors. Downey Jr. adds that such a schedule opens the company to as wide a pool of investors as possible.

Footprint Coalition Ventures focuses on funding companies that research in six areas, including food and agriculture, energy, education, and advanced environmental solutions. Thus far, five companies, including Arcadia Earth and Cloud Paper, have received funds from Footprint Coalition Ventures.

Looking to the future, Downey Jr. says that he plans on using his status as a celebrity to raise awareness on the Footprint Coalition and sustainability ventures in general. While many other celebrities who are involved in similar organizations tend to keep a low public profile, Downey Jr. feels that it is his responsibility to use his platform to influence others. Jonathan Schulhof, who runs the day-to-day business of Footprint Coalition Ventures, points out that the company has used a YouTube video of Downey Jr. detailing the differences between plastic and polyhydroxyalkanoate, a new type of sustainable polymer invented by RWDC Industries, to help woo investors. Schulhof continues that such content can inspire audiences by making something extraordinary seem commonplace.

Five Great Books About Philanthropy In 2020

Five Great Books About Philanthropy in 2020

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On December 15, 2020

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy, Uncategorized

With so many options out there, how – and why – should people consider giving? The five books below provide many answers to these and other questions, making for fascinating reading, both inspirational and impactful.

One of the best guides to the giving process is the traditional Inspired Philanthropy: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Giving Plan and Leaving a Legacy, by Tracy Gary. Efficient covers everything from the basics of plan making, working with advisors, the right questions to ask non-profits, and much more. The inclusion of worksheets, resource lists, and descriptions of planning tools is beneficial.

The Promise of a Pencil, by Adam Braun, tells the story of how one man’s actions impacted thousands of lives globally. After encountering a begging child and starting with only $25, Braun built an organization that has helped build over 250 schools worldwide. Inspirational and uplifting, if ever there was an argument for the power of giving, this is it.

In The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources, Lynne Twist offers positive proof that changing our attitudes towards earning and spending money can make our lives more meaningful and fulfilling. Challenging everyday assumptions about society’s views of money, the author illustrates her journey from conspicuous consumer to non-profit activist in an honest, no-punches-pulled way.

Sharna Goldseker and Michael Moody bring a fresh perspective in Generation Impact: How Next Gen Donors Are Revolutionizing Giving. Moving between first-hand accounts and analysis of a new class of doner’s work, the book shows the impact of young rising stars of philanthropy in disrupting traditional giving models and creating entirely fresh approaches to the field.

Another disruptive approach to giving is Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference by Antony Bugg-Levine and Jed Emerson. The new field of impact investing is thoroughly explained, showing how it’s possible to “blend” investment success with positive change.

This year, perhaps more than in most, it’s essential to consider how a charitable contribution can positively impact peoples’ lives. The wisdom and practical advice that abound in the five volumes discussed will hopefully inspire and energize in equal measure.

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Philanthropy Spotlight: Doctors Without Borders

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On July 23, 2020

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

Doctors Without Borders(DWB) is an amazing organization that primarily focuses on providing care to those who need it most. In the late spring of 1968, a group of young doctors traveled to help victims of major diseases and wars. They invented a new brand of humanitarianism that had the potential to reinvent the concept of emergency aid. They became Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), known internationally as Doctors Without Borders.

MSF was officially founded on December 22, 1971. 300 volunteers made up the organization: doctors, nurses, and other staff, including the 13 founding doctors and a plethora of journalists. According to the official Doctors Without Borders Website,

MSF was created on the “belief that all people have the right to medical care regardless of gender, race, religion, creed, or political affiliation and that the needs of these people outweigh respect for national boundaries.”

After the french revolt of ’68 burst onto tv screens, the french pubic soon saw terrifying images that would set a new tone to empathy. They saw thousands of kids all over the world struggling from hunger and disease. In Nigeria, the southern region called Biafra seceded from the country. The Nigerian army surrounded the section, and the Biafran people were soon decimated by hunger. The Red Cross pleaded for assistance and help. The MSF realized that need was bigger than their neighbors or their country.

MSF’s first mission was to the Nicaraguan capital of Managua in 1971, when an earthquake decimated most of the city and killed between an estimated 10,000 and 30,000 people. In these first few missions, the weak points of MSF were soon realized. Members were going over without readily available support, and supply chains were fractured. The telltale signs were there; the movement was beginning to break. Soon it was hard to distinguish the MSF as a group of medical professionals or as a group of guerilla doctors. 

From this point, the new realist leadership of MSF would transform MSF into the professional organization it is today. Through various leaders and growing mains, the MSF has become a fantastic organization known as Doctors Without Borders. 

Suggestions for a Company Volunteer Day James Lustig

Suggestions for a Company Volunteer Day

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On September 23, 2019

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig

Companies put a great deal of effort strengthening teamwork skills in an effort to make the work environment a better place. While there are numerous activities that can be done in the actual workplace to improve this, volunteer work is one of the best options. Having a company volunteer day not only gives workers the opportunity to give back to the local community in which they live but it can strengthen their bonds with each other as well. There are a wide variety of different company volunteers that can be held.

 

Food Banks provide the perfect opportunity for companies to give back to those in need of food to feed their families. Local food banks are in constant need of volunteers to help sort, package, cook, and serve local community members. Taking a weekend to lend a hand to those who are in need of food not only helps the hungry but is an excellent morale boost. Volunteering at a food bank also can provide employees with a sense of the scope and severity of hunger in their neighborhood, leading them to live a more sustainable life and produce less food waste. 

 

Taking the time to spruce up and clean a local neighborhood or park is another great way to host a company volunteer day. This would also serve as an excellent team-building activity for the workers. Whether it be collecting litter, planting new trees, or helping to paint a community building, there are many things that can be done to improve the community that you live in.

 

Hosting a drive to help collect items such as backpacks or clothes for children at the beginning of a school year is also another wonderful company volunteer platform. While it doesn’t necessarily have to be these particular items being collected at the drive it could be something that your local community is in dire need of. During emergencies, many companies host a local blood drive when there is a shortage. Drives are a perfect way to rally the company together for a good cause. This is also a great opportunity for employees to contribute by bringing in items if they are unable to attend the actual volunteer event. 

 

If these suggestions don’t seem to fit the bill for your particular company, take the time to meet together and let employees decide on a volunteer activity. Have an open discussion with the team to see what means the most to them right now, and make plans to form a company volunteer day. This type of volunteer work can boost morale and help to build leadership skills while building a sense of altruism.

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