With a little planning and dedication, anyone can be a philanthropist. Elisabeth Williams shows you how.
Ready to make some decisions about what, when, and how to give? I’ve broken down the intimidating process of building a strategic giving plan into five simple steps to prove anyone can be a philanthropist:
I recommend narrowing your focus to 1-3 organizations addressing the causes you are most passionate about. This way, you can consolidate your giving and have a greater impact. Remember, nonprofits incur a fee every time they process a donation.
You’ll also need to decide when to give, particularly if you have a substantial amount of wealth to share. Here are three guiding questions:
Donations can be made in a variety of ways, including by:
A critical way to help an organization you trust is to provide funding that lets them carry out their mission effectively today and plan for the future. You are making an investment to address a social ill, so consider a recurring, monthly, or multi-year donation to support the following:
Aside from giving directly to an organization, there are a variety of giving vehicles that you may want to explore with your financial advisor, accountant, and/or attorney to make the best decisions for your personal situation:
What if you don’t have a lot to give, don’t use a financial advisor, and have never heard of a DAF or CLT? You’re just hoping to have enough to get your kids through college and retire before you turn 80. But you have a heart for giving and are passionate about your cause. Can you still be a philanthropist?
Heck, yes! Philanthropy is not reserved for the wealthy elite. Anyone can be a philanthropist. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you make, or how much you have in savings. Everyone has something to give.
You have something to give. Sometimes we hear about people donating millions and even billions to philanthropy, and we think our small donation means nothing. Does my $25, $100, $1,000, or even $10,000 make a difference? You bet it does! The nonprofit community needs the support of donors at all giving levels. Never think what you give is not enough. It’s not about how much you give—it’s about why and how you give.
If you don’t have a lot to give monetarily, you can give your time and talent. Don’t discount the value you bring by sharing yourself.
A great way to get to know an organization is to volunteer. Locate a nonprofit in your area so it’s convenient for you to make a commitment. Then, ask how you can help. Once you’ve identified an organization that you believe is effectively addressing a cause you are passionate about, you may decide you want to become more involved.
High engagement philanthropists realize that social change requires participation beyond donating money. This may include serving on a board, assisting with fundraising, networking, advocacy, or other purposeful ways of sharing your gifts and talents to support the organization in their efforts to bring about change.
Get started today. Use GlobalGiving’s calculator to set a monthly giving goal.
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