Dept. Of Inspired Ideas: Guerrilla Giving Brings New Meaning to Random Acts of Kindness

Ever have one of those days when you could use a random stroke of good luck (and maybe an extra $10)? Residents of Vancouver, Canada have been getting those a lot lately, thanks to one enterprising family.

Though they wish to remain anonymous, the family of four has quickly become rather famous around Vancouver for their “Guerrilla Giving.” Instead of throwing ten percent of the income to charity at the end of the year – an awesome thing, to be sure, but a little boring – this family has decided to give ten percent of their daily income--when possible--to strangers, in random acts of kindness.

Here’s what GG has to say about their ventures on their blog site:

For a year (a lifetime?), we’re committed to giving away 10% of our annual gross income in daily increments to mostly random recipients.  We have had experience with tithing in the past (10% traditionally) but it was often done as an after-thought, at the end of the month or at the end of the year–written as a cheque or dropped in an offering bowl.  Giving like that was rarely joyful for us.  Guerrilla Giving, on the other hand, is fun, adventurous, and immediate.  

Do we have any second thoughts, doubts, fears, anxiety about all of this?  Absolutely.  We’ll share some of these thoughts as we go along–but go along we will. 

Besides providing updates on their blog and sharing their thoughts, the GG website also provides clues as to where you can find that day’s prize – whether it’s money, food or clothes.

Another really cool thing about this venture is that it has inspired others to do the same. Here’s a guest post from Guerrilla Givers in Calgary, another Canadian city. And here's a picture of the cleverly placed envelope:

And, just to prove undeniably that these gifts are much appreciated, here’s a response from one of the gift recipients:

Hi! I found the gift you left at the Graneville St. Bridge bus stop. I am new to Vancouver and it’s my first time living in a city this large. I’ve been thinking that the people I see everyday on the bus, or on the street seem so disconnected from each other. I got the idea that people just need some sort of outreach to show them that other people in the world care about them, despite not ever knowing them. I find it funny that I was thinking about this when I found your gift. I want to say thank you and let you know the gift is appreciated, but even more so is the knowledge that people like you and your family exist.

Some people use the money for themselves, others say they plan to donate it to charity. Either way, the Guerrilla Givers have come up with a unique way to share their charity and brighten up people's days.

Read more of the Guerrillas' blog posts, read the Chronicle of Philanthropy's article about them, or check out Guerrilla Giving: Calgary.

Here are some more photos of the cool locations these envelopes have been hidden in: