Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) to the Haiti Fund at the Boston Foundation are due December 1. Proposals are particularly sought from the regions of St. Louis du Sud, Maniche, Cavaillon, Archahaie, Saut D’eau and Boucan Carré. One round of grants will be made in May of 2012 for work in rural livelihoods, innovative education, permanent shelter,

I am a “blan” and will always be a “blan.” As a white woman of privilege I have to work at absorbing the souls, the laments, and the cries of triumph of my Haitian sisters. Unless I do, I know that my meager gestures of solidarity will always be off the mark.

What does it take to be on the front lines against hunger and the powerlessness that breeds it? Utter selflessness. Intrepid character. A pattern of life decisions I did not make. And so I have the highest regard for those who from an early age chose the selfless way.

Our family fund focuses primarily on ending global poverty, because less than 5% of Americans give overseas. So we are as picky about the domestic organizations we support as a child choosing between carrots and spinach. None is more strategic, leverages more dollars from other sources,

I often find myself speaking to groups about Passionate Philanthropy, about what drives donors and what drives leaders. The following article from Alliance Magazine provides a lexicon of qualities that propel vibrant social-profit leaders and those who make their work possible: a sense of “competence, confidence, connection, character, caring and compassion.”

Join attorneys from Mintz Levin, Ropes & Gray and Foley Hoag for a forum with Brian Concannon, Esq., Founder of Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti on November 8. Concannon will discuss using the legal system to build stability, prosperity and protection in Haiti.

Presenting alongside two leading researchers in the field of international development and philanthropy on November 2, Paula Johnson of The Philanthropic Initiative and Rachel Glennerster of the Abdul Jameel Poverty Action Lab at MIT, I boldly confessed my passionate, right-brained approach to international philanthropy, and my discomfort with metrics.

Join new Haitian-led Foundation Aksyon for a night of Haitian design, food by Todd English, and a musical performance by Wyclef Jean. Proceeds to benefit Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group (AIDG), Hard Hats for Haiti, and Pan American Development Foundation.

Little known before to students of American History, the largest slave revolt in our country (in 1811) was inspired by the Haitian Revolution of 1803. Hear Daniel Rasmussen, author of the bestseller, American Uprising: The Untold Story of America’s Largest Slave Revolt.

Preeminent human rights attorney from Port-au-Prince, Mario Joseph, discussed the current state of human rights in Haiti at a forum sponsored by the Haiti Fund at the Boston Foundation on October 28. The Haitian earthquake did not kill over 200,000 in the “deadly collapse of neighborhoods,” claimed Joseph, but rather the “failure of the rule of law” did.

On November 8 view the exquisite hand-sewn linens from the Artisanat of Haiti Projects, Inc. in Fond des Blancs at a cocktail reception at the Hampshire House in Boston. Each year, Fond des Blancs linens become treasured holiday gifts. The event will unveil a new line of high-end fashion accessories designed by Haitian fashion designer Prajje.

Has it only been two weeks since the Opportunity Collaboration ended in Ixtapa, Mexico? Curious about what the buzz is all about? On November 30 help New England International Donors members recapture the flavor and energy of the convening as they share their “take-aways” and outcomes over Mexican food from Oaxaca and Veracruz!

Billy Shore, Founder and CEO of Share Our Strength, always inspires me with his ability to change and grow — himself and his organization. After nearly twenty years of harnessing corporate and community will and compassion to raise money to support food pantries and anti-hunger programs across America,

I had the pleasure of traveling last week to the Opportunity Collaboration in Ixtapa, Mexico with Haitian-born Jean-Patrick Lucien, computer engineer and insatiable social entrepreneur from Massachusetts.

On November 16 at the John F. Kennedy Library I will join several speakers, all sharing our stories and insights, into what shapes everyday people into “Passionaries,”* people driven to pursue a mission — even a calling — and spark passionate commitment among others.

In 2009 Christopher and Anne Ellinger, founders of Bolder Giving — a donor education project that inspires greater giving by offering tools, sharing stories and building a community of donors — gave me a Workbook they had lovingly prepared to help individuals explore the outer limits of their generosity.

Starting in September scores of skilled construction volunteers from the U.S. — electricians and electrical linemen, tile-layers, carpenters, plumbers, and jacks-of-all trades — have been serving week-long rotations to build the new National Teaching Hospital in Mirebalais, Haiti. Simultaneously, the volunteers are working alongside Haitian construction workers to teach them advanced skills.

On October 13 human rights activists for Haiti and representatives from 40 countries met in Geneva to make recommendations to Haiti to improve its human rights record. The role of Haitian civil society organizations in relating to the UN was also discussed.

On October 26, 2011 / 2pm-4pm / 2456 Rayburn Congressional Office Building, Washington, DC, Keenan Austin, Senior Advisor to Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, along with Congresswomen Yvette Clark and Maxine Waters, will host a briefing with human rights advocates and Haitian grassroots activists about current concerns facing Haiti.

When Tory Dietel Hopps, one of the most strategic and sophisticated philanthropic advisors I know, says, “Dance!” she means it! She dances in Cowboy Boots. She dances in flip flops. She’s even been known to jettison a shoe or two while dancing at the Opportunity Collaboration, an intense and lively annual retreat held in Ixtapa, Mexico