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Charitable Contributions

A note from Joan:

"Each year, instead of sending formal gifts to my clients, I contribute to worthwhile charitable organizations in their honor. In addition, I donate a portion of my seminar proceeds to charitable efforts around the world. (So, when you attend one of my seminars, you don't just get great speechwriting instruction. You're helping a wide range of people in some very practical ways.)

Since starting my seminar series in 1992, I have donated to:

  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Walter Reed Army Medical Center
  • Heifer Project International
  • Post-hurricane efforts in Texas
  • Post-flood efforts in the mid-west
  • El Salvador flood relief - in the wake of 108 landslides
  • Libraries throughout the US - both public and private
  • The Salvation Army
  • The Pearl S. Buck Foundation
  • James Michener Art Museum
  • Historical societies
  • Tree planting programs
  • Care packages for our troops
  • Soroptimist International
I like to be as creative as possible when making these donations. For example:
  • A $500 contribution to Lions Club International supported their eyeglass program. (Lions Clubs collect much-needed used eyeglasses for distribution at centers around the world.)
  • Soles4Souls sends gently-worn shoes to Haiti. A new pair of shoes gets distributed every 9 seconds, and donations are needed to cover shipping costs.
  • Homeward Trails (based in the DC area) works to find adoptive homes for homeless dogs and cats throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.
  • A contribution to the Writers Emergency Assistant Program (administered by the American Society of Journalists and Authors) provides financial assistance to writers facing critical situations, such the loss of health insurance.
  • $1000 bought a terrific collection of holiday films for a public library ... bringing enjoyment to thousands of borrowers.
  • $1000 funded workbooks at a women's shelter ... allowing women to plan their 'next steps' to a safer life.
  • When I sold CAN YOU SAY A FEW WORDS? to St. Martin's Press, I chose to contribute 50% of my advance royalties to libraries throughout the US.
  • I especially enjoyed buying a collection of humorous books and movies for the children's department of a hospital ... giving kids (and their parents) some much-needed entertainment during recuperation.
  • $500 allowed an elementary school library to purchase a new collection of books
  • A $1000 donation to Heifer Project International educated a community in food production
  • Especially satisfying? Providing 3 months of food for a YMCA 'moms and tots' program in Finland (photos below)."
'Moms and Tots' Program Photo 1
'Moms and Tots' Program Photo 2