The Power of Giving: Paul W. Horning II
GLBT Donor Profiles: A generous donor and expert in investments talks about what he learned about the power of giving at Outgiving and over many years of giving.
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By Paul W. Horning II
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Paul W. Horning II chairs the Board of Directors of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the nation's largest LGBT political action committee.
He is the Senior Vice President for Wealth Management at Citi Smith Barney in Atlanta, Georgia, where he resides.
He has been assisting individuals for over 25 years in achieving their financial goals. Prior to joining Citi Smith Barney, Horning was employed at Morgan Stanley, and at Bank One of Springfield, IL.
He received his M.B.A. at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
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I grew up in Springfield, Illinois understanding I had a responsibility to my community. From high school on I was involved in raising funds for various charities and even served as the National Chair of Youth for Easter Seals. I believe that anyone who has been fortunate enough to be successful, especially in business, has an obligation to share the benefits of that success with his or her community. There are many ways to do that of course, but smart giving is often what's most necessary and effective.
POLITICS AND THE POWER OF GIVING
In the late 80s and early 90s I put my energy into supporting HIV/AIDS organizations in Atlanta, Georgia. There was an immediate need and not many corporate executives were getting involved. I saw an opportunity to make a real impact in a crisis situation that was taking the lives of so many in our community. I became the chair of Project Open Hand Atlanta, which provided nutritious meals to homebound people who were living with AIDS. We were able to directly improve the health and well-being of our clients, and those results made me proud of my involvement and my investment.
Getting involved in the HIV/AIDS non-profit community also taught me some lessons about when and how political power could affect change. I quickly learned that politics affected everything, especially health care. I knew that policy was important, but I began to consider that I could affect policy most directly through politics. This led me to become active in the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. HRC was working on Capitol Hill, and the Victory Fund was getting our own elected all around the country.
OUTGIVING
During this time period I was able to attend Gill Foundation's OutGiving. This invaluable program taught me to develop annual and long term giving plans and to give strategically in order to affect real change.
GIVING AS AN INVESTMENT
As a financial professional, I look at my giving as an investment. Whether giving to an individual or organization, it's important to me that the donation will produce results that matter. And that's the main reason I eventually agreed to Chair the Victory Fund. I know my time and money is having an impact because the organization's track record is undeniable, and its results are concrete. I am proud that today more than 400 openly LGBT elected officials serve across the U.S., and I'm lucky to chair an organization whose former leaders and current staff made sure it was using its supporters' money wisely.
My advice to those whose success allows them to support charitable work is simple: Give to those organizations who have demonstrated success in the past and who have a realistic plan to succeed in the future. Only then will your support have a real impact and create real change.
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