I have been reflecting a lot recently on how powerful small acts can be. Indeed, Prosperity Catalyst’s work in Haiti has only moved forward in the last 14 months due to an accumulation of small acts that have created enormous change. We have spoken a lot about some of our more glamorous news a lot recently - a big grant from the Department of State, a PBS NewsHour profile, etc. but there are some unsung heroes who deserve huge recognition for helping us grow.
In the last year I have been fortunate to get to know two amazing women in Boston who have catapulted our work forward: Karen Keating Ansara and Emily Nielson Jones. Karen and her husband started making small grants to end poverty in 1999 and now recommend grants through a donor advised fund at the Boston Foundation called the Ansara Family Fund. In 2008, Karen co-founded New England International Donors and was one of the catalysts behind the Haiti Fund at the Boston Foundation. She is on the steering committee and board of director of several international organizations. Emily is a donor-activist engaged in promoting human equality, justice, and peace around the world. She is the Co-Founder and President of the Imago Dei Fund, which encourages and supports a host of amazing organizations working toward a more just and peaceful world. Emily is actively engaged in the women-led philanthropy movement with the Women’s Donor Network, Women Moving Millions, the Boston Women’s Fund, and New England International Donors.
We have been blessed with gifts this year from both the Ansara Family Fund and the Imago Dei Fund to support our work in Haiti. I want to emphasize, however, that Karen and Emily have both offered us so much more than funding. They have connected us to other donors, given us critical advice, lended an ear during hard moments, and supported our team in a myriad of ways since we have launched over the last 7 months. They have also inspired us every day with their leadership and vision.
Siiri