By Henry Berman, ASF

ASF CEO Henry Berman at ASF’s sold-out 2012 National Conference

You are Bill Gates. And Andrew Carnegie. And Oprah Winfrey.

Each of these philanthropists has leveraged more than fortunes. They capitalized on their fame to become leaders.

Bill Gates calls on presidents and prime ministers. He and Melinda Gates attack issues on a global scale with millions of dollars. Andrew Carnegie gave millions of people he never met the opportunity to expand their worlds through libraries. Oprah Winfrey uses her visibility to inspire countless others, and she backs it up with her own philanthropy supporting education and the empowerment of women, children, and families.

So how are you alike?

In your community, you are Bill and Melinda Gates. You can reach out to community leaders and government officials. You can be the catalyst to build coalitions; to make a lead grant that encourages others to participate. Your position and ability to help affect change gives you a platform. Be a leader and use it! Make your voice heard.

Says my ASF colleague Andy Carroll, “Small foundations have reputations, connections, knowledge, and the power of money. They can put all these to use locally to inform, educate, raise awareness on issues, mobilize others, disseminate effective solutions, model grantmaking and generosity, and be the catalysts they have total potential to be!” Read more of Andy’s thoughts on leadership.

For many of us, the opportunity to be philanthropists is a gift. With that gift comes the responsibility to assume the mantle of leadership it offers. As Andrew Carnegie noted, “People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.”

You are Bill Gates. You can provide lift and allow things to happen.

You are Andrew Carnegie. You can change lives by enlightening others.

You are Oprah Winfrey. You can give a voice to the silent while also being heard.

Do you care deeply about an issue? Are you ready to act on your passion, knowledge, and resources to step up, mobilize others, and speak out? As a small-staff philanthropist, you absolutely have that power, and, I submit, the responsibility.

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Henry Berman became ASF’s CEO in 2011, previously serving as acting CEO, board member, and committee member. Through his experience as a foundation co-trustee and ASF member since 2003, he brings a firsthand understanding of the needs of ASF members to his role. Berman’s early career included positions as an independent communications consultant and director, writer, and producer of film, video, and multimedia programs for education, motivation, and fundraising. Follow Henry on Twitter @Berman_Henry.