Charitable Giving: It’s not one size fits all

Being a philanthropist is not based on a dollar value contributed. It is a blend of how you give whatever matters to you. This can be your time, talent, treasure, ties, or how you share your testimony about the causes you care about. Giving traditions may also be a big part of philanthropy. However, how these values translate into action and impact varies widely from person to person. And that’s a good thing!

When you align your charitable giving activities with your personality and how you like to do good, you’ll enjoy them much more. As a result, you’ll be more likely to get even more involved with your favorite causes. Your choice of the causes you support may be rooted in your personal experiences or even how you view your character. You may also find that your giving fosters individual growth and self-discovery. Some people find that community engagement unveils networking opportunities and building relationships based on shared values and goals.

To figure out what mix of charitable activities might best suit your personality and values, consider reflecting on whether you tend toward an ”investor,” “connector,” or “activator” profile.

Here’s what it might look like to be an “investor” type of philanthropist:

• You like to get involved in community activities where you can act independently rather than schedule dedicated time.
• You may feel that you often have more money than time.
• You’re happy to write a check or purchase a product that supports a cause.

If you tend toward the “connector” type, this may describe your preferences:

• You like community activities where you can collaborate with friends and family.
• You enjoy meeting people who care about various causes, not necessarily a specific charity.
• You like attending fundraising events and might even regularly promote your favorite causes on social media.

If you’re an “activator” type, here’s what that could look like:

• Your charitable passion lies with one or two specific causes.
• You like the idea of playing a small part in “changing the world” and impacting a single issue that could benefit society broadly.
• You might enjoy serving on charities’ boards of directors.

Whatever your personality type, the community foundation can help! Whether setting up a new fund to organize your giving, working with your advisors to establish a legacy bequest to provide sustainability to causes you care about, or helping you get your family and friends involved in Connect to a Cause on September 19th, we’re here for you!

Our vision is to connect people who care with causes that matter in a way that maximizes the value of your charitable intentions. It is an honor to work together! Feel free to contact Laura Malone, Development Officer.