Jean Shafiroff on A Philanthropist’s Calling

Nov 29, 2024 09:29AM ● By Sandra Yeyati

Michael Paniccia

New York socialite and humanitarian Jean Shafiroff is the author of Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life of What You Give, in which she offers readers the motivation and practical advice to donate time, knowledge and resources to causes that inspire them. She is the producer and host of a television show that airs six times weekly through LTV studios in East Hampton, New York, where she interviews politicians, celebrities, business leaders and prominent philanthropists.

In recognition of her generosity and extensive work as a volunteer fundraiser, she has received numerous awards, and, in 2022, she was proclaimed the First Lady of Philanthropy by the New York State Assembly. Every year, Shafiroff hosts and underwrites large cocktail parties in her homes on behalf of different charities, with a special focus on women’s rights, underserved populations, health care and animal welfare. She serves on the boards of the Southampton Hospital Foundation, Mission Society of New York City, Couture Council of the Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology, French Heritage Society, Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, New York Women’s Foundation, Global Strays, Southampton Animal Shelter and the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.

Shafiroff has a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and an MBA in finance from Columbia University. She worked as a physical therapist at St. Luke’s Hospital, in New York City, and as an investment banker on Wall Street. Together with her husband, Martin, vice chairman of global wealth management at Stifel, they have raised two daughters.

Why did you write your book?

I wanted to encourage people to become interested in philanthropy—to want to make someone else’s life easier. The first half of the book is intended to be inspirational, and the second half discusses more practical issues. I also give a little history on different philanthropists that I have interviewed.

What is your definition of philanthropy?

Anyone can be a philanthropist. If you do not have the money to donate, you can become a philanthropist by giving your time and knowledge, which are two very valuable resources. Many people do a tremendous amount of volunteer work. That being said, I believe that those who have the financial resources have an obligation to give, because life is not created equal.

Why should people be generous with their time, knowledge and resources?

We live in a world where hunger, homelessness and other terrible hardships exist. There is great need, and the government cannot do everything, so that is where individuals, foundations and businesses step up to the plate and get involved. It is part of our culture in America. Since the founding of our country, philanthropy has existed, and all religions teach the importance of giving back.

Giving is a wonderful, feel-good experience. The giver receives far more than the receiver, and by giving, we help to equalize the disparities between those that have and those that do not have. I feel blessed to be involved in philanthropy. I encourage everyone who has a little time to get involved.

What prompted you personally to engage in philanthropy?

Working as a physical therapist at St. Luke’s, an inner-city hospital where my patients lived at or below the poverty level and had serious health issues, I learned right then and there that life is not fair. I believe that those of us who have the ability to be helpful have an obligation to do so.

I also travelled to visit orphanages, schools and people that lived in huts in Cambodia, as well as very poor sections of Colombia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and China, and those experiences were life-changing. My own life in the United States is so different. I feel like I have to do something. It is very fulfilling to do philanthropic work, and I will continue to do it for the rest of my life, so long as I am able.

What advice do you have for people that want to become philanthropists?

I suggest following your passions. If a relative had breast cancer and you want to find a cure, maybe you want to get involved with a charity that is working on breast cancer research. If you have an interest in the arts, maybe you want to support a museum. I am passionate about my work with the New York Women’s Foundation, for example, which empowers women out of poverty and helps create a just world for all women. When you help a woman—with her career or her rights as a human being—you also help families.

Read all you can about a charity before you get involved. Google them. Look at their website. Read articles about them. Look for a charity that is well-run, has a low overhead and reports how the funds are being used. The charity’s expenses should not be more than 20 percent of monies raised. There are some exceptions, such as in the arts, when they are putting on performances; smaller charities, where their expenses might need to be higher; or a charity that employs a lot of service people. GuideStar.org or CharityNavigator.org rate the larger charities.

Most of my volunteer work involves organizing and hosting events, raising money and increasing the visibility of charities. I chair about eight or nine charity events each year. The actual hands-on work is very important, but I physically cannot do everything. And I am good at the other, so you find where you have a space and the best impact. I cannot give to every cause, and nobody can, and no one is expected to. You do what you can. In my book, I talk about mothers with three or four children that work full-time. They are not going to be able to volunteer at that point in their lives, but maybe later on. Do what you can, when you can, and do not be hard on yourself if you cannot.

Why do you believe it is important to teach kids about the value of giving?

Philanthropy has to continue in the future, so we need to encourage children to engage in it in order for it to survive. Philanthropy needs to be taught to children by our being good role models. Parents who are involved in philanthropy often involve their children. Schools need to teach about its importance and have community service requirements. It is key to mentor and encourage future generations to engage in philanthropy. Junior divisions of charities are very important. For big galas, it is important to create a junior price ticket.

What about philanthropy in terms of the older generations?

For a person who is retired or who has raised a family and is now an empty nester with a lot of time on their hands, it is very fulfilling to get involved in philanthropy. Rather than sitting in front of the television or playing golf every day, which maybe they have absolutely no interest in, getting involved in philanthropic causes can create meaning in their lives. When you volunteer, you meet a lot of nice people and make friends. You also know that you are helping those who need help, and that is a feel-good experience. It is a very worthwhile use of your time.

How do you ask someone to donate money for a cause?

Most of my fundraising centers around charity galas where we ask people to sponsor a table. Sometimes I call them, but some people do not want to be called, so I write an email and attach an official letter from the charity with the request, a phone number to speak with someone and the address to send a check.

Sometimes I just ask for a straight donation. Regardless of whether they say yes or no, I always thank them for their consideration. If they say no, I say, “Well perhaps next year you will reconsider.” It is a delicate thing, asking people for money. They may be giving to many other causes already, and you have to understand. Sometimes people cannot do it at this time. Not everybody is interested in your cause.

What keeps you motivated to do this work?

I feel very fortunate, and I do not want to waste my lifetime. I feel that this is what I should be doing. It is a calling, my mission. I work very hard, but it is also fun.

Who inspires you?

So many people across our nation and the world are doing great work, including all the people that are running good charities and all the volunteers around the country that may not have the money to give, but are giving of their time and knowledge. I find them very inspirational. I am inspired by many, and I am particularly inspired by Melinda Gates, who is giving $1 billion to women’s organizations in the next two years, and Warren Buffett, who founded the Giving Pledge, where he reached out to a number of billionaires and asked them to give away half of their net worth to charity.

Could you explain your love of fashion?

Fashion is a hobby, but I also support a number of emerging designers. I buy their clothing and wear their dresses to galas. I have a very large collection that I will give away to a museum one day, but right now I am still wearing it. I like to take chances with a few edgy gowns once in a while. It is fun.

Do you have hope?

Oh yes. I have lots of hope. I stay very busy, so there is not a lot of time to feel low. On Instagram @JeanShafiroff, where I have 1.2 million followers, I promote three primary points: philanthropy, positivity and fashion.

Remaining positive is one of the keys to life. You have to believe in yourself, and if you have children, you have to raise them so that they feel good about who they are. You have to be uplifting of others. Be a nice person. Arrogance does not help anybody. When you are kind to others, you feel better, too.

Sandra Yeyati is national editor of Natural Awakenings.