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Giving with your living hand

August 23, 2022
Photo: Stan Williams, Mohawk and Anishinaabe.

Photo: Stan Williams, Mohawk and Anishinaabe.

In 2020, as the global pandemic changed life in Canada, Craig Barlow had an epiphany. Confronted by his own mortality and the struggles charities were facing in fundraising, he saw the opportunity to give money when it was most needed – now. 

“I thought to myself, why don’t you give with your living hand instead of your dead hand,” said Craig, a lifelong donor to a range of charitable institutions, who had previously made plans to donate funds through his estate. “By giving now, I get the enjoyment of seeing the impact, as well as the advantages of charitable tax receipts.”

Craig saw an opportunity to make a difference today. He calculated his anticipated future total charitable donations for the next 20 years and gave those amounts now, sharing what he had in the present. He described these donations as “an investment in society.”

“All I’m doing is what a reasonable person who cares about society would do if they have the ability to do it,” said Craig, a retiree who now volunteers and writes poetry. “By giving, you’re taking a stand for something you believe in, providing money or time or both to try to solve something for the greater good.” 

For Craig, the Yellowhead Institute (external link)  in TMU’s Faculty of Arts was one of the organizations that inspired him to donate: “I liked the idea of helping develop Indigenous-led governance, from a non-partisan standpoint.”

“Donors like Craig allow us to do our work in the areas of Indigenous research and education, led by Indigenous people,” shared Hayden King, Executive Director of the Yellowhead Institute. “The support deepens the impact we can have in our communities.”

Craig was drawn to causes like the Institute’s after an awakening at a spoken word poetry group several years ago, when he was confronted by the limitations of his own views and experiences. His commitment to exploring issues of racism and social justice began there and Craig seeks to address what he learns through his charitable giving. 

“One of the beauties of this charitable work and making investments is that it requires you to stand back and begin to learn and ask what your value system is,” Craig noted. “As you search out a place where you can make a difference, you learn from it.”

Two years into his giving and learning journey, Craig is proud of the work he has been able to support and the impact he has helped create. He is equally moved and increasingly inspired by all he has uncovered in the process. “I’m a happier and better person because of it,” he said. “I’ve learned something and I hope that I will continue to learn from it as I follow the projects that I’m supporting.

To join Craig in supporting Indigenous students at Toronto Metropolitan University, please visit our online giving page and direct your donation to  Indigenous Activities.