Tracy Gary, a member of the Pillsbury family, is a philanthropist, nonprofit entrepreneur, and legacy mentor who has worked tirelessly to help others experience the joy of giving charitable dollars to causes they care about through her organization, Inspired Legacies.
TILE: What is your first memory of giving?
Tracy: I have always been blessed by being surrounded by generous people. One of my mom’s best friends was a philanthropist. One day he sat me down when I was seven and asked me to help him on some giving he was doing. He had been reading the paper that day and he would always find people that he felt needed help. He said to me, “Always look beyond your own needs. There are always people who have more trouble and more hardship than you, but it takes being awake to others and to trying to always be caring.”
He then gave me $40.00, which was a lot of money back in 1957 – it’s like getting $400 now! Over the next month we visited 2-3 projects in New York that might really use that $40.00. Those were my first ever “site visits” and I have been on over 4000 now. This simple act on Mr. Petrie’s part changed my life forever.
My mother and father were strategic and also very socially networked through their giving. I learned early on that making a difference could happen for others while one also built community. A portion of my allowance was for giving away, another for spending, and another for saving/investing – similar to TILE! By the time I was 14, my parents set up a giving account, and gave me extra money when I volunteered for more than five hours a week. But it was mostly because they were so generous and connected and happy through that involvement that I saw this as a great way to live my life. And it truly has been!
TILE: What suggestions or advice do you have for TILE members who are choosing what causes they want to support for the first time?
Tracy: Think for a moment what really MOVES you to anger, sadness, or action. Start with 1 thing you want to see changed in your lifetime. Think big! For example: I want to eliminate pollution in my neighborhood and in the world. If you are going to live until say, 95, and you’re 20 years old now, in 75 years you can really do a lot!
You may want to keep a notebook or start a file on your computer where you can keep track of your interests, so when you learn about a group or an outstanding leader, you can write it down, bookmark it on your computer, and keep a file of the things that move you. TILE is a great springboard to start your giving. Check out TILE causes, visit organizations’ websites, make donations, go in to see them, volunteer.
TILE: What was the primary inspiration that caused you to devote your entire life to starting, supporting, and working with charities?
Tracy: I have seen great suffering and people who deserve an opportunity to better their lives. I know I have more than I need and that most of us have WAY more than we need. People need food to eat, a home, clothes, a job, and people to connect to.
Giving is a way that I can help others and shape and shift the world I want for myself and other people to thrive in. Life is not just about surviving, it’s about evolving and supporting those around us to thrive and grow and change. For some of us this means giving more and buying less. For others it means getting a better job. For others it means taking care of our communities and the health of our families and the planet.
People care everywhere. If we focus and act with intention, our collective power and love can truly move mountains. Get started today… “BE the change you want to see in the world.”
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Tags: give, philanthropy, tracy gary