What are the most effective ways to choose a charity or cause to support with your philanthropy?

1 Identify your passion

Choosing a charity or cause to support with your philanthropy starts with identifying your passion. Consider the issues that matter most to you and the problems or opportunities you want to address. Brainstorm a list of topics that interest you, such as education, health, environment, human rights, animal welfare, arts and culture, or religion. Then, ask yourself questions such as why you care about this topic, how it affects you or others, what the root causes and consequences are, what current solutions exist and what gaps remain, and how you can make a difference. By discovering your passion, you can find a charity or cause that aligns with your values and vision.

2 Research the options

Choosing a charity or cause to support with your philanthropy requires research. With thousands of charities and causes in the world, you can use online databases, communities, publications, and personal referrals to evaluate their impact, efficiency, accountability, and transparency. Examples of these sources are Charity Navigator, Giving Compass, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and referrals from friends and family. Doing so will help you find a charity or cause that meets your standards and expectations.

3 Assess the impact

The third step to choosing a charity or cause to support with your philanthropy is to assess the impact. Impact is the measure of the positive change that a charity or cause creates for its beneficiaries and society. To do this, you can look at the theory of change and logic model of the charity or cause, as well as its monitoring and evaluation system. Additionally, you can review impact reports and stories of the charity or cause to see how it communicates and demonstrates its impact. Through assessing the impact, you can determine if the charity or cause delivers effective and sustainable solutions.

4 Consider the fit

When deciding which charity or cause to support with your philanthropy, you should consider the fit. Fit is the degree of compatibility and alignment between you and the charity or cause. To determine the fit, look at the mission and vision, values and culture, strategy and approach, size and scope, as well as relationship and engagement of the charity or cause. These aspects will help you find a charity or cause that matches your preferences and needs.

5 Test the waters

If you're looking to choose a charity or cause to support with your philanthropy, testing the waters is an important step. This involves trying out different charities and causes before committing. You can do this by making a small or one-time donation to gauge the donation process, volunteering or participating in an event or campaign to experience the work and impact, visiting or contacting the charity to learn more about its history, achievements, and challenges, and asking questions or requesting information to clarify any doubts. By testing the waters, you can find a charity or cause that satisfies your curiosity and enthusiasm.

6 Review and refine

The sixth step to choosing a charity or cause to support with your philanthropy is to review and refine. This practice involves evaluating and adjusting your philanthropic choices over time. To do this, you should track and measure your philanthropic impact and return on investment, as this can help you assess how well your philanthropy is achieving your desired outcomes. Additionally, you can seek feedback from peers, experts, or beneficiaries to improve your knowledge, skills, and practices. Furthermore, exploring and discovering new or emerging charities and causes can help diversify your philanthropic portfolio. Lastly, celebrating and sharing your successes and learnings can inspire others to join or support your philanthropy. Through review and refinement, you can find a charity or cause that adapts to your changing goals and interests.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?