You want to make a difference in the world by giving to causes you care about. But how do you know if your donations are having the impact you hope for? And how do you share your generosity and inspire others to join you? In this article, you will learn how to measure and communicate the outcomes and stories of your charitable giving.
Before you donate, think about what you want to achieve with your giving. Do you want to support a specific project, organization, or issue? Do you want to address an urgent need, or create long-term change? Do you want to give locally, nationally, or globally? Write down your goals and how they align with your values and interests. This will help you choose the right recipients and track your progress.
In my experience working with a charitable organization, people tend to give more when they are convinced that their giving goes a long way—- long term impact, impact on an entire family, enablement vs empowerment, donations topped up by others, etc. also when they see the impact of what their giving has resulted in, it draws them to give more
This definitely makes sense. I like the structure and thoughtfulness of these ideas . It is definitely important to define your goals.
Reminding donors and constituents of the definitive outcomes and tangible ways that their dollars are making an impact carries the most value. This allows the donors and constituency to see how they are making a difference in their communities and/or causes. Imagine a world without ______? Those are the thoughts that come to their mind.
In my experience and working with donors specific for human services and needs, donors like to be able to place a dollar figure on each unique outcome. Seeing a presentation and connecting that to a donor story goes a long way in terms of helping a donor realize actual outcomes. Obviously, it's more than just a graph or a chart, it's being able to connect that together with donor stories that makes the whole relationship with your organization come to life.
Once you have your goals, do some research on the potential recipients of your donations. Look for credible and transparent organizations that match your criteria and have a proven track record of effectiveness. You can use online tools and databases, such as Charity Navigator, GiveWell, or ImpactMatters, to compare and evaluate different charities based on their financial health, accountability, and impact. You can also ask for recommendations from friends, family, or experts in the field.
After you make your donations, you want to see how they are used and what results they produce. You can follow up with the recipients by subscribing to their newsletters, reports, or social media updates. You can also request feedback or evidence of their activities and achievements. Some organizations may provide you with metrics, such as the number of people served, the amount of resources delivered, or the percentage of goals met. Others may share stories, testimonials, or case studies that illustrate the benefits and challenges of their work.
One of the best ways to communicate your charitable giving is to share your stories with others. Stories can convey your passion, motivation, and learning from your giving experience. They can also inspire and influence others to join you or support similar causes. You can share your stories in various ways, such as writing a blog post, creating a video, hosting a webinar, or speaking at an event. You can also use platforms, such as Giving Stories, DonorSee, or GlobalGiving, that connect donors and recipients and showcase their stories.
Finally, you want to celebrate your impact and acknowledge the difference you have made. You can do this by expressing your gratitude to the recipients, the intermediaries, and yourself. You can also celebrate by setting new goals, joining a community of donors, or finding new ways to give. Celebrating your impact can help you sustain your giving and increase your happiness and well-being.