Unflagging Support

Charitable giving was a cornerstone of Jerry Greenwald’s upbringing. Even when times were tough, he remembers his mother and her friends setting aside money for those less fortunate.

As a youngster, the Arlington, Virginia resident became a supporter of CARE’s humanitarian efforts when it began sending relief packages to Europe after World War II.

A decade ago, Jerry became one of Global Sojourns Giving Circle’s earliest supporters. GSGC’s small size and grassroots focus stood out from larger organizations’ modus operandi and brought charitable giving to a more personal, more meaningful level, he said recently.

“Most charitable giving is pretty blind,” he said. “You write a check and send it off. You might hear from their fundraising person. It’s rare to meet someone like Priscilla, someone who really has their hands and heart into it. It’s hard to talk about the Giving Circle without talking about Priscilla.”

Jerry, and his wife Win, visited Southern Africa about five years before they met Priscilla. He’d known about giving circles in the Washington, DC area, but they were aimed at local problems. Priscilla’s was the first internationally focused giving circle he’d encountered.

“I’d been on safari in Botswana, and just fell in love with it, and I decided supporting GSGC was what I wanted to do,” he said.

Jerry was interested to hear Priscilla and others involved in international development work talk about how government to government or top-down projects weren’t effective. He liked her alternative approach. “The Giving Circle concept was a way to get directly to the people in need.”

Jerry has always admired Priscilla’s tenacity and thoroughness. He trusts her judgment and the team she’s assembled. “It’s been fascinating to watch her dig in and devote more and more of herself to what’s making a difference,” he said. “When you are with her and what’s important to her, it becomes very vivid.”

Jerry has seen GSGC’s focus evolve and sharpen over the years as the organization’s programs have matured and its scope has grown. He respects GSGC’s partnership with local residents to empower and educate girls and recent efforts to change boys’ attitudes about girls and women.

For Priscilla, Jerry has been more than a donor; he has been a mentor, a valuable adviser and has become a dear friend. “Jerry’s listening ear and counsel have been tremendously valuable to me over the years,” says Priscilla. “His input reflects years of experience observing and supporting non-profits in his own backyard and on his knowledge of international issues. I am so grateful for his mentorship and support.”

While the Greenwalds have not returned to Africa, their interest has not flagged. To continue to help relieve poverty and sustain those with so little, Jerry makes an annual donation, but also makes additional contributions to specific campaigns. And he has familiarized his children and grandchildren with the charities he supports, stating, “I try to give them a charitable vision.”

GSGC is grateful for Jerry’s steadfast and generous support.