How about donating 1% of net income to charity?

I’m writing this article not to promote myself, but just to share my internal thoughts and to inspire others to do the same or help others who are struggling in the same way I was.??

A few months ago, I was seeking a consistent way to make donations and give back more easily, not thinking much about the money but focusing more on the impact I could have.?

I consider myself extremely fortunate, I grew up in a stable family, I’ve been able to advance my career by joining Salesforce and I’m a father of a wonderful son; however, I recognise that not everyone is as fortunate as I am, so I wanted to start helping others in some way, this was my #motivation.

I started budgeting a few years ago (more on Personal Budget) and it’s a great way to keep control of your finances, especially to understand where your money is going and how much more money you can save each month for future needs.?

Then I was inspired by Salesforce, Salesforce is the best company I’ve ever worked for and great aspects of Salesforce is the culture, the values (Trust, Customer Success, Innovation and Equality), and the mission: “Business of the business is improving the state of the world”. Those aspects are all highly resonant with me and I’m very well aligned. Few people are aware that when Salesforce was founded 22 years ago, they also started the 1-1-1 Philanthropy model, giving 1% of the time of the employees to charities, indeed each one of us has 56 hours per year that can invest in helping the charity of their choice, 1% of the product free for charity/no-profit organization and 1% of the company equity is given to the charity. Salesforce is one of the founding members of the 1% pledge movement, together with Atlassian and a few others, here is the link https://pledge1percent.org/

I started asking myself, why not apply a similar model to myself and to my personal finance? what is 1% of my net income? I calculated what is the 1% of my net income, which was a big sum not super comfortable to start with donating, then I said ok let’s start with 1% of my net income minus some big expenses I cannot remove, like the rent and the child maintenance for my son, all the other are lower expenses and most of them optional ( like going to a restaurant, traveling) I’ve calculated the new 1% and I said this amount I’m very comfortable. I set up this budget to donate per year and it was great. During the year, I’ve donated more easily, more happily and I never regret it. Next year I’ll consider also going to 1% of my net income without subtracting any expenses.

The charities and people I’ve helped so far:

• NSPCC - a UK charity helping children to have a better future, I run the last London Marathon to support them
• Fondazione Nervo Pasini - hoping homeless people in Padua
• I am the code and one of their student - a great organization led by Lady Mariéme to help refugees to have a better future
• Friends and colleagues raising money for great causes

Thanks, Marc and Salesforce for inspiring for a better world.?

Hope I can inspire as well some others to donate more easily to charities of their choice.?

In the end, what is 1% of your net income? Nothing and you are going to feel much better when you're helping others.