PATH profiled in new book on importance of "everyday donors"
The book Give a Little profiles PATH and the importance of individual donors. Photo: PATH/Cornelius Brudi.
PATH's unique approach to solving global health problems is featured in a chapter of journalist and nonprofit consultant Wendy Smith’s new book, Give a Little. The book, which highlights the role of individual donors in achieving some of the most significant advances of the past decade, was featured today in a special section on giving in The New York Times.
In her book, Ms. Smith says that while large donations make the news, small contributions from what she calls “everyday donors” are essential. “Ultimately, the story of this book is simple but profound,” Ms. Smith writes. “There are many ways that you can make a real, lasting, and meaningful difference in the lives of people who need only the opportunity to achieve prosperity. You can afford to provide that opportunity.”
In the chapter dedicated to PATH’s work, Ms. Smith described our organization as “an award-winning and inspiring non-profit that innovates health-related technologies and systems that improve the well-being of the most vulnerable people around the world.” Her chapter on PATH points to theclean-delivery kit and the vaccine vial monitor as examples of PATH’s approach.
Individual donors, Ms. Smith contends, are crucial to fostering innovation and invention at nonprofit organizations like PATH. She writes, “…small pools of funds from individuals allow organizations like PATH to leverage large pools of funds from the big guys.”
In her chapter on PATH, Ms. Smith relays the story of two donors: Aeron Noe and Jacob Grotta, who have been supporting our organization since 2006. Ms. Noe explains why she and Mr. Grotta give to PATH: “The thought that my children might need health care and I can’t provide it for them is devastating. And no one should be in that position.”
Give a Little also highlights PATH’S Catalyst Fund, telling readers it “…allows PATH to pursue large grants, innovate flexibly without the restrictions of large funders, and expand technologies and models it creates after grants for innovation expire.”
PATH is one of only three Seattle-area organizations highlighted in Ms Smith’s book—the others are The Hunger Site and World Vision—and one of just a handful of global health institutions.
The New York Times special giving section also contained an advertisement, placed by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, noting PATH as winner of the 2009 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize.