The Eight Levels of Charitable Giving

I found this framework while reading over the break. May a mindset of abundance inform our successes in 2024!

I challenge all of us to find three new charities to support this year. Personally, I’ve been trying to work more on level 2 (below).

So . . . The EIGHT levels of charity, each greater than the next:

1. The greatest level is to support fellow humans by endowing them with a gift or loan, or entering into a partnership with them, or finding employment for them, in order to strengthen their hand so they will not need to be dependent upon others.
2. A lesser level of charity than this is to give to the poor without knowing to whom one gives, and without the recipient knowing from whom it is received. One should not contribute to a charity fund unless one knows that the person appointed over the fund is trustworthy and wise and a proper administrator.
3. A lesser level of charity than this is when one knows to whom one gives, but the recipient does not know his benefactor.?
4. A lesser level of charity than this is when one does not know to whom one gives, but the poor person does know his benefactor.?
5. A lesser level than this is when one gives to the poor person directly into his/her hand but gives before being asked.
6. A lesser level than this is when one gives to a poor person after being asked.
7. A lesser level than this is when one gives inadequately, but gives gladly and with a smile.
8. A lesser level than this is when one gives unwillingly.

And if you need some assistance growing your investments for some future date of giving along any/all of the above, consider Gridline . We work with trusts, IRAs, regular investment accounts, and welcome conversations with your Financial Advisor, which we have ALL the time. ?

My favorite book on the concept of living a life with an abundance mindset (vs. a scarcity mindset) is Lynne Twist 's book the Soul of Money. AND my tip for effecting personal change is to give EVERY unhoused person, service provider, and street performer some money (can be a Quarter) during the month of February and see what it does to you energetically. Look each person in the eye while doing this. Go out of your way to do it. Get cash at a bank and carry it around with you. Yes, it will cost you some money, but it might change your life. This tip and other suggestions here: https://bit.ly/3Hqp5zv

Source: Maimonides

Here is a list of charities (lines 2 to 8) that I support, leaving off some political-oriented ones, most religious ones, and schools from which I graduated. Please add! https://bit.ly/4aKDROM