Founder's Statement
From the Founder
For many years, I earned my living as a journalist. You’d be amazed at how much suffering my colleagues and I encountered on a daily basis. At times, the needs were overwhelming. Yet I also saw people finding ways to ease the suffering of others, to prevent tragedy, to transform their own lives and to help others create better lives for themselves. It became clear to me: if people knew better, they'd do better. Information makes a difference. Money, strategically applied, can be a big help.
I've served on the governing or advisory boards of a number of nonprofit organizations since 1974. I know what it takes to run a nonprofit on a shoestring, and I've served on a board that raised over $100 million. I've personally raised millions of dollars. I've filibustered on television through Muscular Dystrophy Telethons and PBS pledge drives. I've sat in the wood-paneled corner offices and asked for the big gift. My first major fundraising was a $1000 promise to the Girl Scout Council in Middle Tennessee. Most of that was money I raised in small donations from other people. Perhaps that's not surprising, considering I was once a champion seller of Girl Scout Cookies.
When I had the opportunity to become a grantmaker through The Harnisch Foundation, I set out to help people get information that empowers them to make better decisions. My work as a reporter taught me every day: information can lead to better decisions that can make the world a better place. And more than once, I saw one person come to a realization that, in effect, changed the world. The Harnisch Foundation invests in a variety of people and projects, inspired by pioneering individuals, strategic thinking, and bold action.
The Harnisch Foundation had its beginnings as an expression of my personal philanthropy. Now, I am pleased to be joined by a visionary team that inspires, leads, and carries on much of The Harnisch Foundation’s work. As we enter our second decade, we continue to look for opportunities to invest in bold ideas that help unleash untapped capacity – including our own. We’ve designed this website to answer your questions and to help you if we can – get ideas, get info, get a grant.
Of course, our objective is to help you help yourself – we’ll all be happier when you don’t need to ask us for money!
Warmly,
Ruth Ann Harnisch
President, The Harnisch Foundation
To hear more from Ruth Ann, please visit her blog, www.RuthAnnHarnisch.com.