Does your philanthropy begin with the end in mind?
That’s the question Philanthromedia asked this month, urging readers–and particularly families who give together–to be strategic, thoughtful and deliberate in their philanthropic decision-making by starting with a mission statement or a vision for their giving.
"Giving is an act of faith," writes Robert. "Givers believe that while they may only be able to make a small dent in our community’s, country’s or world’s problems, the sum of our good acts will make a larger difference. If more people would be strategic in their approaches, then the outcome of their individual and collective efforts might be more effective."
Much like we learned at Philanthropy 101 not too long ago.
And not unlike what the speakers at this year’s Philanthropy Forum (check out page 4 of our latest Community Update) have learned to be true, that, "It is necessary to give, but it is more necessary to know how to give."
So, with that in mind, what’s your philanthromission, or your givision, if you were the type to make up words?
What are the guiding values and strategy behind your giving? Do you have one? Do you know what you hope that you, or your family, or your company might achieve through its giving over the course of a year, 10 years, a lifetime?
If you do have one, how has it impacted your giving and its impact?
Because doing so, whether you have $10, or $10 million to give each year, will not only help you focus and make your giving more effective, but it can consistently increase the satisfaction you gain from it–and therefore your inclination to keep it up.
Which is, of course, the power of giving in itself, as Claudia Thorne has so aptly explained, as "the miracle of transformation taking place in the heart and mind of the giver who is living authentically from their personal value system—what really matters to them."
You probably have a plan for your vacation, and a financial planner for your retirement, and possibly you had a wedding planner, and may even be thinking about a life coach. You most likely to know why you work, what you’re working towards, what your savings goals are and what you hope your life might look like 1, 5, 10, 15 years from now.
And if not, you’re perhaps planning how to figure that stuff out. Because these plans are a reflection of who you are, of how you see yourself in the world.
Why not throw into the mix, as you think about your goals and a mission for all these other areas of your life–getting started on your philanthropic mission? On understanding what you want to achieve through your giving?
So that you can give with the outcome in mind.
