The Beanstalk Way
Meet Remarkable Leaders
It all starts with remarkable leaders. Every organization, from a Fortune 500 company to a high school Spanish classroom, depends on passionate, practical leadership. Remarkable leaders attract talent, build great teams, and find opportunities to serve their community.
We call remarkable grassroots leaders Gardeners.
Beanstalk Gardeners are bold, practical and innovative. They address all kinds of community needs: one purchases school supplies for students, another provides housing for the children of incarcerated mothers, and yet another offers yoga classes to those suffering from multiple sclerosis.
Dan Hessey talks about Uncle Vernon, the original Gardener, as well as the diversity of local heroes in our communities
Dan Hessey is on the Board of Trustees of Beanstalk. Dan has been working with non-profits to develop community leaders for over 36 years.
Discovering Gardeners
Remarkable local leaders come to us through the Friends of Beanstalk: a network of community leaders, business partners, and former Gardeners. Each potential Gardener is evaluated by the Gardener Selection Committee, who reviews prior experience, runs background checks, and evaluates what can't be quantified: the character of each Gardener.
Margaret Amateis Casart tells how Beanstalk is accountable and transparent
Margaret Amateis Casart was first selected as a Gardener in 2000 and is now working to develop Beanstalk’s corporate partnership models.
making a plan and starting A garden
Once a Gardener is approved, Beanstalk collaborates with him or her to develop a plan that addresses a specific community need. Each plan has a concrete objective, a budget and a timeline.
We give every Gardener space on the Beanstalk website to build and strengthen their community. Gardeners can post videos, report news, send on-site messages, and receive donations. We also work with Gardeners to form partnerships with local businesses, corporations and individuals who provide Matching and Seed Grants. For qualified Gardeners without a formal 501(c)(3), we can provide an opportunity for community members to receive tax deductions for their contributions.
Jan West discusses tools and resources available to help gardeners.
Jan West is on the Board of Trustees of Beanstalk. Jan earned her PhD in Psychology and has practiced as a clinical psychologist for 15 years.
Celebrating results
Beanstalk makes results transparent, tangible, and exciting. At the end of every Garden, we produce a video to help the Gardener thank their community, recognize their partners, and celebrate success.
We also create a complete accounting report for every Garden detailing donations and expenditures and ensuring total transparency.
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Anne Sneed discusses the type of support she received from Beanstalk and other donors.
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Margaret Amateis Casart recounts her experience of being selected as a Gardener.
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Anne Sneed discusses the benefits of working under an existing 501(c)(3).
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Margaret Casart discusses the benefits of being a Gardener.
Anne Sneed discusses the type of support she received from Beanstalk and other donors.
Anne Sneed is a Beanstalk Gardener and the founder of the Student Assistance Fund at East High School in Denver. Her program helps to make academic achievement more equitable for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
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