Philanthropy Is a Journey, Not a Destination: 3 Ways to Encourage Everyday Philanthropists

We all have experiences that shape who we are. It is through these experiences that we start to identify causes that we become passionate about and issues in the world that we want to improve. To support these causes and create positive change in the world, we give what we can, when we can.

However, many of us don’t necessarily think of ourselves as philanthropists when we give back. This way of thinking is fueled by a common misconception that philanthropy is a destination that you reach when you’re ready to write a big check - much like the wealthy donors, who we see donate millions or billions each year.?

Philanthropy isn’t something you have to wait until you sell a company, hit a certain goal, or retire to get involved in. It’s a lifelong journey. As we go through life, what we have to offer may change, but there is value in every type of contribution. Just look at Michael Bloomberg, who made his first donation of five dollars to his alma mater, Johns Hopkins, following his graduation in 1965. Now, at 80 years old, Bloomberg has donated more than $3 billion to the University.?

It is important to encourage people who want to be involved in philanthropy no matter where they are on this journey. Their donations add up over time and do have a tremendous impact on causes.?

Based on my experiences in philanthropy, here are three ways I believe we can uplift and encourage people to grow as they move along their philanthropy journeys.

1. Talk About Philanthropy and the Causes You Support with Your Family

Philanthropy is something that can be a family activity. When children see their parents and relatives getting involved and contributing to causes, it can spark an interest in philanthropy in future generations. In my family, some causes that we feel strongly about supporting are educational institutions including Central High School and HBCUs, like Hampton University and Spelman College, as well as health-related nonprofits like Breastcancer.org . HBCUs are a key cause for me because of my own experience attending an HBCU and because I believe in the lifelong impact HBCUs have on students .?

Recently, I was honored to have my wife, Ebonne, and son, Jayden, in attendance as I received the Generational Impact Award on behalf of the Lenfest Foundation from Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB). Being able to involve my son in my philanthropy journey is important to me because I’m able to pass on what I’ve learned about philanthropy to a new generation. He’s also able to see the impact that the causes we support have on peoples’ lives.?

Having open conversations with the young people in your life about the causes that are important to you, their missions and impact, and why supporting them matters to you is a healthy way to inspire and encourage people to start their philanthropy journeys early in life.?

At Philanthropi, we believe in supporting new ways for people to give and in democratizing philanthropy. Through our platform, starting in July 2022, everyday donors will be able to start their own personal charitable foundations, much like those of wealthy donors . These accounts allow individual users to see, track and allocate their charitable gifts in one place. I believe this will be a great tool for families to use as they talk about the causes they support.?

2. Celebrate All Contributions Including Time, Ties, Talent, and Treasure

Philanthropy needs to evolve to be more inclusive of all philanthropists who want to make a difference. Many people, including Millennials and Gen Z — who make up?more than half ?of the current American population — aren’t waiting to get involved in the causes they care about. They’re starting now, with what they have to give today. We need to value and celebrate gifts of time, ties, talent, and treasure. According to The Deloitte Global 2022 Gen Z and Millennial Survey , “almost half of Gen Zs (46%) and millennials (47%) live paycheck to paycheck and worry they won’t be able to cover their expenses.” At the same time, these generations care deeply about improving the world.?

At the start of my philanthropy journey, I could give more through my social ties than I could financially. I helped push the causes that mattered to me forward through my network and by sharing messages about those causes. A young person might start their philanthropy journey by volunteering, participating in an event to raise awareness, or sharing posts about a cause on social media. These gifts of using time and ties are a great starting place and should be celebrated just as much as financial contributions.?

3. Amplify the Impacts of Everyday Philanthropists Through Matching

Matching programs are a great way to empower everyday philanthropists by amplifying the impacts they’re able to have on the causes they care about. At Philanthropi, I work with employers who match and even double-match gifts to causes their employees are supporting. This type of program helps create meaning and connection at work. If an employee gives $50 to a fund that supports a cause they care about and an employer chips in $50 or $100 on behalf of that employee, it encourages and celebrates that employee’s desire to give back.

Big philanthropy can also encourage everyday philanthropists by allocating part of big gifts to matching donations from everyday philanthropists. Even using a small percentage of a large gift for matching can empower everyday donors and help a non-profit build a larger community of everyday givers that will live long past the original gift.

It’s time to redefine philanthropy and who we consider a philanthropist. Anyone can be a philanthropist when we expand our definition of philanthropy to be more inclusive of the variety of ways people give back. Everyday philanthropists make a difference in the world and should be encouraged no matter what stage of their philanthropy journeys they are in.?

By talking about philanthropy with young people, celebrating a variety of types of contributions, and amplifying the impacts of everyday philanthropists through matching, we can encourage more people to give back throughout their lives. This will not only help sustain philanthropy as a whole, but leave a lasting impact on all the causes that are supported.?

By Dr. Keith Leaphart, Founder and CEO of Philanthropi?