Debunking 3 Myths About Philanthropy

Three Myths About Philanthropy: The Future of Giving Is About Empowering Everyday Donors?

When most people think about philanthropy, they don’t see themselves included in the image that comes to mind. Many think that philanthropy is only for wealthy families, large foundations, big-name celebrities, and influential, well-known people. That small group of top donors may have been the focus of philanthropy in the past, but that’s not the future I see for philanthropy. Philanthropy can – and should – include everyone who wants to make a difference.??

The future of philanthropy, which I believe is already here, is about the collective power of everyday people. Philanthropy needs to embrace everyone, including Gen Z and Millennial donors, who make up more than half of the current American population and are extremely passionate about improving the world. It should also be about celebrating and amplifying the philanthropic impacts of everyday people.?

As someone who is working to change the world of philanthropy and usher in a new era of giving, I’d like to clear up three common myths I often hear.??

Myth 1- Individuals don’t make a difference and the only way to have an impact is by giving money.

Reality: Philanthropy is a robust, lifelong activity. It is about more than giving money and individual donors hold immense power. According to the 2021 Giving USA Report, Americans gave $471.44 billion to charities in 2020, with 69 percent of donations coming from individuals. In addition to monetary contributions, we need to recognize and celebrate those of time and talent. There are many nonprofit organizations active today that are looking for individuals or groups to donate their time to help build a home, make food, or collect in-demand items that will help someone in need. For example, a recent graduate might start their philanthropy journey by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity or a local animal shelter. Then, those volunteer hours may evolve into a recurring $25 gift once they have a higher-paying job. Later, that gift may grow into a $500 yearly contribution and other contributions like volunteer time and donated items.?

Myth 2- The power of donors comes from writing big checks.

Reality: The real power in philanthropy is about unlocking the potential of others to give. That’s how you make an impact that will truly last. Writing a check is not the most powerful action a donor can take. The most influential philanthropists know that real power comes from how they inspire others to get involved. By taking actions like matching smaller donations or, allowing younger people who are just starting their philanthropy journeys to have a voice in the causes you support, you help build the next generation of charitable giving. Leadership in this space is about encouraging and empowering people.?

Myth 3- Large sums of money to host galas and events are necessary for fundraising.?

Reality: For many years, it has felt like galas and events were must-haves for hitting large fundraising goals. That was the way things were always done and it wasn’t really questioned. But now, we’re at a new point in time where we can reach people in new ways and make philanthropy more efficient. We’ve figured out how to make so many fields more productive and philanthropy is an area where we owe it to the world to figure it out. The future of philanthropy is going to be about connecting everyday people to the causes they care about and finding ways to empower them, celebrate their contributions, and amplify their impacts. This is going to mean using technology to make giving quick and seamless for younger donors, allowing donors to easily connect with and explore charities, and partnering with companies and employers to amplify the impacts of smaller-scale donors.

I hope this information will encourage more people to get involved in philanthropy, and I’d love to hear about your journey as an everyday giver.?

Sources:

https://givingusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GUSA2021_Infographic_Digital.pdf

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2020/07/30/now-more-than-half-of-americans-are-millennials-or-younger/