A "Noble" Prize
I recently heard a song that used to come on the radio at least once daily in the 90’s in my mom’s minivan. You know those songs that 8 year-old-you knew all of the words to? But a few years later, “adult-you” realizes your version of the chorus was way off? I do that a bit more than I’d like to admit.
One of my more memorable childhood discoveries was that the Nobel Prize wasn’t just for “nobles.” Turns out it was named after the dude who invented dynamite. And although this is common knowledge, there is a part of the story that gets left out quite a bit. It is a detail in Alfred Nobel’s will, which outlined his plans to leave the majority of his fortune (from his 355+ patents on mostly explosives) to random strangers doing good work worth recognizing.
No one is quite sure why Alfred put these plans into his will (there are a few theories if you have time to take a deep dive into history), but it is safe to say his family was a little unpleased and a lot surprised at the news of their lost inheritance. Whatever his reasons were for establishing the prize (and keeping it a secret while he was alive), Mr. Alfred Nobel’s prize had a clear purpose: recognizing the individuals contributing the best work to better this world in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace.
So what does any of this have to do with the work we do at EDEN+?
Although I had some confusion about whether or not this prize was just for “nobles,” I knew the name Nobel. And you would be hard-pressed to meet someone today who wouldn’t recognize the name and immediately associate it with the awards given out.
In our work at EDEN+, we are privileged to work with many individuals who have a legacy of their own to leave. But setting up all the parameters for such a legacy gift is not simple. One part of campaign management often includes guiding nonprofit leadership to create opportunities for legacy gifts. Naming a prize, as Alfred did, or naming a new building are just a few of the ways nonprofits can empower their donors. Gifts that allow donor recognition come in the form of scholarships, named rooms, programs, outdoor spaces, entire buildings, and the list goes on.
Who are the buildings, awards, and community spaces in your city named after? Do you know their stories? Next time you find yourself sitting in a gymnasium or theatre or hospital waiting room, look around and see if someone’s last name is on it. You may begin to notice the many names of inspiring individuals who have taken what they believe in and generously given to ensure that good work continues, even after they are gone.
