Finding A Need That Strikes A Chord: How to find your giving focus

Philanthropy is a powerful tool for creating positive change and making a difference in the world. For those with more, philanthropy can also be a source of personal fulfilment and purpose. But with so many causes and organisations to choose from, how can you find a philanthropic focus that aligns with your values and passions? In this article, we'll explore some tips and strategies for finding a need that strikes a chord.

Also, just as a note don't be intimidated by the word 'philanthropy' and think

'I've got to wait till I become a rich baller with 26 cars, a live giraffe in my living room, a blimp where I can smoke cuban cigars, and mansions for all of my family before I can be philanthropic'

Philanthropy as a word comes from Greek philanthrōpos, from philein ‘to love’ + anthrōpos ‘human being’.

So basically philanthropy just means 'to love humans'.

I think of this as being compassionate and generous.

So don't be spooked by it.

Just be nice to people and you're being philanthropic.

Why philanthropy is important

Before we dive into the specifics of finding a philanthropic focus, let's first consider why philanthropy is important for those with wealth.

Philanthropy offers a range of potential benefits, from tax benefits to reputational gains. But perhaps most importantly, philanthropy can be a source of personal fulfilment and purpose. By using their wealth and resources to create positive change in the world those that have been successful can make a meaningful impact and leave a lasting legacy.

In addition to this, philanthropy can be used as part of a diversified portfolio to de-risk early stage investments and potentially have massively outsized impact and returns.

World and wallet changing. Pretty cool.

Identifying your personal values, passions, and strengths

Ask yourself: What am I able to give?

The first step in finding a philanthropic focus is to reflect on your personal values and passions. What causes are you most passionate about? What issues do you feel strongly about? By identifying your personal values and passions, you can begin to narrow down the range of philanthropic causes and organisations that you might want to support. For example, if you're passionate about education, you might consider supporting organisations that promote access to education for under-served communities.

There are a range of resources and tools available to help you identify your personal values and passions. You might start by taking a values assessment or working with a coach or mentor to explore your interests and values.

Building on this, you want to try to identify what it is you can offer. There are 5 things you could possibly give:

Time

Talent

Ties

Testimonials

& of course treasure

Figuring out which of those you have capacity to donate is a key building block to helping you understand your focus in philanthropy.

At my social enterprise, Inspireal , we help people do exactly that; figure out their vision, values, passions, strengths, and all that jazz. We're effectively just a big mirror that gives you the time and space to reflect, with a critical friend that challenges and supports you through the process of looking inward (because we know it can be pretty scary). We give all of our information out for free, with a free workshop and pdf all about figuring out your vision available on our website.

Developing a generosity strategy

Once you've identified your personal values and passions, the next step is to develop a philanthropic strategy that aligns with those values and passions. A philanthropic strategy is essentially a plan for how you will use your resources to create positive change in the world. Your philanthropic strategy might include setting specific goals and metrics for measuring impact, identifying organisations and causes to support, and developing partnerships and collaborations with other philanthropists and organisations.

To develop a philanthropic strategy, you might consider working with a philanthropic adviser or consultant who can help you identify opportunities and resources, and guide you through the process of creating a plan that aligns with your values and passions.

In later editions of this newsletter, we'll be breaking down the rest of the aspects of a 'Giving Plan' or generosity strategy as I like to call it; so make sure to follow!

Collaborating with other philanthropists and organisations

Collaboration can be a powerful tool in philanthropy, allowing philanthropists and organisations to share knowledge, resources, and best practices. By collaborating with other philanthropists and organisations, you can leverage your impact and create greater change than you might be able to on your own.

To collaborate effectively in philanthropy, it's important to build relationships and networks with other philanthropists and organisations. You might attend philanthropy events and conferences, join philanthropy networks and associations, or reach out directly to other philanthropists and organisations to explore potential partnerships and collaborations.

There's a bunch of really cool orgs that can help you find are in the space, such as:

If you need any help finding or reviewing any, just let me know and I'll do my bit!

Conclusion

By following these tips and strategies, you can find a philanthropic focus that aligns with your values and passions, and use your resources to create positive change in the world. Remember, philanthropy is a journey, and it's important to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow. With the right tools and resources, you can make a meaningful impact and leave a lasting legacy through your philanthropic efforts.