Here's how you can maximize the benefits of specializing in a specific cause within philanthropy.

“I’m passionate about this cause and have made it my life’s work.” In a world where people are searching for purpose, don’t hide from the fact that you have found yours. That can be you greatest asset. Now, marry that passion with the impact you have had and the accomplishments you have achieved, and you will vault to the top of the list of candidates.

Precisely! And I see it more as offering a “hand-up” rather than offering a “hand-out” that’s what drives me the most. And my passion and purpose is to see my community develop and everyone living in it. I’m very empathetic so I want to see everyone happy, and not suffering, and I want to make a difference in my community by being the difference in my peoples lives ??. That is my purpose in this life!

My experience serving on boards of directors for philanthropic organizations has been illuminating in terms of scalability. What I mean by this is that sometimes an organization must start small and focus, LASER FOCUS, on serving a needy population in a very specific way before taking the leap to be multi-faceted. This requires research and precision rather than a "one size fits all" solution. An executive director mentor reminded me recently that meeting the needs of fewer in a very targeted population, and doing it thoroughly, gets better results long-term so you can grow. Researching those needs and how to serve them well, how to get the right results, and then measuring those results, allows you to substantiate requests for funding.

Connecting with experts is a vital part of building your own expertise. Networking and asking to shadow philanthropy leaders, participating in volunteering, then later, serving on boards as you build proficiency, gives a person insights to the innerworkings of an agency and the different facets of the community it serves. I volunteered with Community Partners of Dallas Tx, then later served as the auxiliary president and advisory board. This experience gave me insights to the challenges of foster care in the state of Texas and ways we could be instrumental in helping the plight of overworked caseworkers and children in great need.

Finding corporations that want their employees to give back can be a boon to charities. Leveraging their "give back" days or that has service work hours available to their employees is an incredible way to garner support. Finding marketers in corporations who want to add a "feel good" philanthropy component to their customer activities can be an excellent source of funding and will buy mindshare of potentially new supporters. It's low hanging fruit to connect with leaders or influencers with a philanthropic mindset and present them with an "event in a box" opportunity to engage their teams or customers. Make it easy for them with results to share for a very valuable experience that connects you with future supporters/donors!