Leave No Trace?

(Moving Forward ↗️ June 2026)

Dear Friend,

For the third consecutive June, I was fortunate enough to spend a week at Camp Sidney Dew. Sidney Dew is a Scouting America camp in rural Georgia, roughly two hours from Atlanta.

This year, a sign across from the dining hall caught my attention. It said, very simply, “LEAVE NO TRACE.” Leave No Trace is a set of carefully constructed principles that all Scouts must learn – and observe – as they advance in rank.

A donor recently told me she had put together a team of family members to raise money for an organization. They went on to become the top donor family of the year. The organization then disappeared, without even a thank you. It left no trace – until a year later, that is, when the organization suddenly reappeared and asked her to raise even more money.

Let's get to it.

Joshua Chadajo

Founder & CEO

Leave No Trace?

Leave No Trace is an admirable goal when you’re outdoors. It may even be helpful in other areas of life. But in the realm of philanthropy, it doesn’t apply.

• Organizations exist to make their constituents better off. The more clearly they can demonstrate their impact, the stronger their claim on time and money.
• Organizations need to show appreciation to their supporters. Donors should feel valued both as both individuals and as partners.
• Donors themselves want to make the world a better place through their generosity. The desire to leave a legacy is powerful and should be encouraged.

When it comes to camping, leave no trace. When it comes to philanthropy, however, aim for precisely the opposite: leave your trace!

JEC Philanthropy is a boutique advisory firm providing personalized professional philanthropic guidance and support to high-net-worth individuals and families. JEC Philanthropy enables clients to give more, give better and give with joy. 

Contact me today to learn more about working with JEC Philanthropy!

Email joshua@jecphilanthropy.com,

call (646) 331-5674 or click below.

Did you receive Moving Forward from a professional advisor, a colleague, a friend or Josh's Mom? If so, you can have this monthly email arrive directly in your inbox by spending a mere 15 seconds here.