The headline reads across the web:
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and wife Connie give University of Oregon $50M.
$50M is a lot of money. Any organization or institution that receives a gift of this size now has the means to expand its contributions to the world through research, class offerings, scholarships, etc.
For the 99% of folks who will never have an extra $50M to allocate towards supporting their alma mater or favorite charity, however, seeing a number this large can be intimidating. How could putting a check for $50 into the envelope for the class of 1996 annual fundraiser make any difference in the wake of a such an enormous endowment?
When it comes to giving, it’s not the size of the gift that matters so much as does the act of giving itself. Colleges, universities, and the local animal shelter in any town benefit from every penny they receive from well-intentioned citizens who believe in sharing the wealth. 50 cents dropped in the can on the counter for the Humane Society counts just as much as that $50M gift Steve and Connie Ballmer earmarked from their estimated $26B net worth.
Make giving a habit and it’s amazing how quickly the returns stack up.
