Pillars of the Community by Autumm
Crains Detroit notes that our passion for our community can influence economic growth. They link to a new study by Gallup and the Knight Foundation (that included Detroit) that explores the link between economic growth and residents' loyalty to and passion towards where they live.
According to the "Soul of the Community" study, the qualities that make people love where they live include social offerings (such as entertainment venues and places to meet), openness (how welcoming a place is) and community aesthetics (such as physical beauty and green spaces).
...The study measured residents' emotional connection to where they live and compared that to the communities' GDP growth over the past five years. The findings show a significant correlation. Over three years, the researchers will analyze the trends to prove whether emotional connection drives economic growth, or the other way around.
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that while demand for charitable assistance is on the rise, giving is down. They cite Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) statistics that show 71% of 300 participating organizations said demand for core services has increased over the past 12 months, while just 65% met the demands. Organizations also reported decline in financial supports.
"The state of the economy has affected nonprofits in at least two ways: It has been a reason behind increased demand, and it has played a role in decreased financial and in-kind support," said Lisa Sommer, spokeswoman for the nonprofit association.
The MNA has a blog and on it they have a great guide that discusses how to give wisely to nonprofits this holiday season.
Later today, we're going to roll our our Michigan Holiday Gift Guide. While we do think it's a great thing to give meaningful gifts to the ones we love, we also think that this is a great time to pause and think about the whole holiday process. A nice place to start is this thoughtful article by Kristin Bull in the Freep:
When Julie Whitmore of Royal Oak peeks inside her children's closets, overflowing with games and toys and stuff, she takes a deep breath.
She gently closes the doors.
The Whitmore children -- Brandon, 10, Jacob, 8, and 4-year-old Alyssa -- have plenty. No doubt, they will ask for more.
But this year, their parents realize the importance of shifting the heart of the holiday season from asking and getting to giving.
What do you think? Are you changing your holiday gift giving this season? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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