Dr. Lisa Frankfort

Dr. Lisa Frankfort is the director of San Francisco 's Haight Ashbury Psychological Services, a neighborhood clinic focusing on providing therapy for the uninsured or those with low income. Dr. Frankfort spends most of her time working with psychology interns, and has also written two self help books.

Why do you do what you do?

It's an interesting question. I've had a running joke with my great friend and assistant director, Donna Zoll, that this gig better work out for me because I'm not trained to do anything else.

What was the moment that turned you into a philanthropist?

If there was a moment that was definitive about my career choice it was my mother griping about everyone telling me about all of their problems and taking up all my time. She said, "I wish you could get paid for this." Ah. Lightbulb. I dropped out of film school and went into psychology.

Growing up, were you involved with philanthropy?

I got rather mixed messages growing up. My father believed that it was everyone for him or herself. My mother on the other hand really embraced the Jewish value of "if you have, then you give back." And you don't do it for recognition; you do it because it's the right thing to do.

What philanthropists do you admire?

Everyone I know who works to help other people is a philanthropist to my mind. Again, I have to add my mother to this list. She gives to an unbelievable number of charities and always did volunteer work. It was fun having that in common with her.

If you found ten dollars on the street, what would you do with it?

It sounds it sounds like I'm making this up, but when I see change on the sidewalk I have a mantra that says I'm leaving it there to be picked up by someone who needs it more than me.

Would you rather give time or money to a cause?

Time. No question about that. I don't know how to do it differently.

If you could be a mentor, what would you teach?

That's a large part of my job, to train and supervise to not be a copy of me, but to learn to become the best whoever they are that they can be. And I know that all these people have gone out there and been helpful to countless others.

What was your last non-profit event you attended?

Probably the last one was our own appearance at the Haight Street Fair to raise money for HAPS. Truthfully, I can't ever afford to go to fundraisers for non-profits. The next one I attend will probably be the HAPS fundraiser - raffle, silent auction etc. And you're all invited!

If you could change only one thing about the world we live in, what would it be?

Attitudes. Really, all of the problems in the world seem to stem from an attitude. A desire for power, control, money whatever it is. And the attitude that we aren't responsible. I think if that could be changed, that would get the ball rolling a bit faster than it is now.

Are philanthropists made or born?

Difficult to say. Probably both. Maybe we should start a philanthropy kindergarten. Couldn't hurt. Might give a whole different depth to the idea of "works well and plays well with others."