Inspiring Good Habits: Tips for Better Giving

August 2024 Philanthropic Advising Newsletter

We offer this newsletter as a service?to our fund holders and other supporters who want to maximize their charitable impact in Idaho communities.

The team at The Idaho Community Foundation is committed to sharing tips and insights that can help you get more satisfaction from your charitable giving and in turn make an even bigger difference in the causes you care about.

Here are three recommendations:?

1) Strive for energetic effectiveness. Whether a gift is $25, $2500, or $25 million, it’s cause for celebration!?Philanthropic support of all shapes and sizes can make a difference. What’s even better, though, is to apply discipline to those dollars so that the strategy matches the enthusiasm. Certainly media-based philanthropy efforts are effective to raise the overall awareness about charitable giving, but awareness is just the beginning. At The Idaho Community Foundation, our team is dedicated to helping you apply your charitable passions to make a meaningful impact, especially by helping you address root causes with your giving, above and beyond providing immediate relief to those in need.

2) Give from the heart. A recent Rolling Stone article illustrates how philanthropy can shape leaders by instilling values of empathy and responsibility. The author shares a heartwarming perspective based on participating in charitable activities as a child to rally around a sister with Down Syndrome. This makes such an important point: When your philanthropic efforts mean a lot to you, you’re more likely to stay engaged for the long term, resulting in significant cumulative community return on your personal investments. It’s really inspiring to see charitable individuals view their contributions as part of their personal and professional development.

3) Contribute Thoughtfully.?Philanthropy should be as strategic as it is heartfelt. When you let data and outcomes guide your giving, you're making a huge difference! By concentrating on these aspects, you're ensuring your contributions make the biggest splash possible. It's about giving smart!?By applying an analytical approach to philanthropy, you can ensure that your donations address root causes and achieve measurable results. This involves setting clear goals, evaluating the effectiveness of programs, and supporting organizations that demonstrate a strong track record of success. At The Idaho Community Foundation, we provide resources and expertise to help you make informed decisions, ensuring that your generosity not only meets immediate needs but also fosters long-term positive change in our community. That's something to feel good about.

4) Get your kids involved. We strive?to offer ways for fund holders to involve their children and grandchildren in charitable giving. This is really important in light of the decline in charitable giving, especially among younger generations, which is becoming a significant concern. We encourage you to explore the factors behind this trend and reach out to us?to discuss potential solutions and ways you can help.?

Thank you for your continued commitment to philanthropy! If you’re already a fund holder, we are grateful that you’ve made the choice to organize your giving by working with The Idaho Community Foundation. One of our 21/64 certified advisors, who is trained and experienced in working with multigenerational family philanthropy, is available to assist you! If you’re considering getting started, we’d love the opportunity to work together.

–Your community foundation?

Lisa + Sarah