thevicenarian.com

First Time Charitable Giving

Posted by T.W. Hanson - Mar 20th, 2008 at 21:03

Out from under the guidance of parents and maintaining a steady source of income, many people give their first autonomous charitable financial gift as a vicenarian. Done in the right way, this is healthy for all parties involved. There are clear and tangible benefits to the organization receiving the gift and intangible gains for the giver. Benjamin Franklin framed what he believed to be the noblest question, “What good may I do in the world?”

I have learned a few things from my previous gifts.

Find a cause about which you feel passionately. Focusing giving on a subject where you have a real interest increases the impact of your donation. Spreading funds widely has no moral flaws, but if it causes you to lose interest and stop giving, it isn’t good.
Don’t choose a cause for social status. You can worry about that when your last name is Kennedy or when you marry into a family that came over on the Mayflower.
Spread your gift out throughout the year. This protects you from unforeseen events that may put you in difficult financial shape. You also get the excitement of giving on a monthly or quarterly basis as opposed to once a year.
Don’t give beyond your means. There are seemingly an infinite number of worthy causes all of which would benefit from your charity. However, taxing yourself into a state of misery is ill advised. Use your budget to compute what you believe to be a reasonable amount and stick to it.

Giving should not be a chore. Your gifts should dovetail with your interests, making them a natural extension of your life.