Technology is everywhere.  For some of us it is hard to believe the first Iphone/smartphone came out in 2007.  The first personal computer was introduced by Apple in 1983 and Microsoft Windows was introduced in 1985.  The rate of change at least doubles each year.  Futurist Ray Kurzweilai wrote in 2001:

“In the nineteenth century, we saw more technological change than in the nine centuries preceding it. Then in the first twenty years of the twentieth century, we saw more advancement than in all of the nineteenth century. Now, paradigm shifts occur in only a few years time.  So we won’t experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century — it will be more like 20,000 years of progress (at the rate of change in 2001).” (* See Note)

Since our birth in 2018, Josiah White’s Quakerdale Foundation has had the privilege of working with two nonprofits headquartered in the greater Des Moines area. Both of these ministries are working with youth and families in Africa. What they have in common with us is that we all have the need to fundraise without increasing our paid staff. 

But How?

When parents die, grief is not all that people feel. Sometimes, there’s a fair bit of frustration too, like when family members find out the details of the estate plan.

Ben and Sue Sprunger wanted their children to know what they have in mind for the future. Several family meetings later, the adult children knew about their parents’ financial situation and how Ben and Sue planned to divide their estate.

“We’ve talked with people whose parents kept everything secret,” Ben said. “As parents age, frustrations set in for some children with unanswered questions, for others, surprises and frustrations are acted out among siblings following funeral services. Silence creates a lot of frustration.”