Philanthropy captured my heart during the Ethiopian Famine of 1985, where mothers gave their lives for the mere possibility of food for their little ones.

Imagine you haven’t eaten for several days because sacrificially, you’ve fed your remaining food to your two emaciated little girls. You hear of a man-made oasis of hope that will care for your girls so you leave the only home you’ve ever known and begin the three-day walk across the desert with your children strapped to your back. Most assuredly, this is your family’s last chance for life. Only love can grant the resilience necessary for such a journey.

Now standing in a mile-long line for several hours, as one of the girls is just minutes from death, you cry out in desperation. Imagine having to choose which child eats and which one goes without simply because there isn’t enough food for everyone. How do you ease the pain that challenges even God to kiss away of a distraught mother who must choose life and death for her two children?

Famine destroys the soul of a nation. My eyes still swell today as they replay these visions of a troubled land many years later.

Today, philanthropy’s hold on my heart has never been stronger since my beginning nearly two decades ago. My mission is to help you and your organization do things that really matter…to inspire and guide you in your quest to change the world…to help you better communicate your mission so your vision becomes reality.

Baker Bio
For nearly two decades, Baker has helped some of the top charities in North America, assisting them in the development of Mission-Driven Marketing™ strategies. Baker is the author of the free e-book, “Nonprofit Websites,” the first of its kind, which has been downloaded by tens of thousands of charities in more than 50 countries. He writes the Baker's Dozen fundraising series for the Nonprofit Times. Baker is on the AFP Board of Directors for Washington State. Baker spent over 13 years with World Vision, one of the largest privately funded international relief and development organizations in the United States. To contact Todd Baker email him at todd.baker@grizzard.com or phone him at 360.626.3632.

Todd Baker, published author and frequent speaker for nonprofit conferences just released his new book, Champions of Philanthropy, The Quest to Discover Your Destiny.

Baker’s book presents a unique blend of inspirational, altruistic stories combined with wisdom from notable people, such as Socrates, Jimi Hendrix, and an entire chapter dedicated to Stephen King’s near death experience.

“Each chapter of the book is designed to help the reader travel their own journey in making philanthropy a way of life. Mother Teresa reminds us that if we have no peace in life it is because we have forgotten that we are all connected. I want to inspire people to have a passion to help others,” Baker said.