If you’ve read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, or if Covid-19 and social justice movements have inspired your charitable side, you might consider approaching philanthropy the same way you would approach a career move.
With so many people living and working online these days, there are more opportunities than ever to branch out from your social, personal, and professional contacts to identify areas of need in your community.
Here are five ways that you can expand your charitable efforts and connect with people and organisations that will help you make a real difference.
1 – Attend virtual events.
If you’re not a runner, the food bank’s annual Park Run might not have appealed to you, despite the good cause.
Due to the pandemic, many charitable organisations have moved their large in-person events online.
This allows you to give back, learn more, and connect with other donors, all without leaving your home (or breaking a sweat).
Educational webinars are another great resource to educate yourself about problems and learn from experts who are working on meaningful solutions.
2 – Contact small businesses.
We advise our clients that it’s usually best to donate to large, established charities.
Organisations like St John’s Ambulance (with a local branch too) or the Red Cross have infrastructures that reliably translate your Pounds into aid.
However, many small business owners have banded together to support each other and their communities during Covid-19, many through our amazing Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce.
Your favourite coffee shop or live music venue might be involved in a fundraising effort for furloughed employees that you could help through donations or by raising awareness online.
The more structured and transparent these efforts are, the more confident you can feel that your generosity will reach its intended target.
3 – Reach out to local charities and nonprofits.
Money is usually the best way to give because it doesn’t need to be packaged, shipped, or distributed to help.
But this year’s unique challenges have affected communities in so many different ways.
Local charitable organisations and not-for-profits could have specialised needs that larger organisations don’t.
You could organise a school supply drive for your local school’s afterschool programs or ask your local food bank if there are any items that they’re running low on.
Many organisations are also in the process of moving their operations online, creating new virtual volunteering opportunities that could put some of your professional skills to good use.
4 – Talk to your family.
Involving your spouse or partner, children, and grandchildren in your philanthropy can set a powerful example. It can also make giving a family value that the next generation will be inspired to carry on.
Talk to your family about the causes that are important to them and design a charitable budget that makes everyone feel included.
Sharing that passion could help you see the world in a new way and connect with people and causes you might have otherwise overlooked.
5 – Consult with professionals.
Wanting to give back can feel very personal, especially if a cause is near and dear to your heart. But you don’t need to go solo when it comes to philanthropy.
In response to the pandemic and social justice movements, charities, foundations, and not-for-profits across the island have thrown open their doors.
Organisations like Age Concern and Isle of Man Live at Home are sharing resources, expertise, and human resources like never before.
Whether you’re looking for a new volunteer opportunity or thinking about establishing a charitable trust, some professionals can guide you towards the best use of your time, your talents, and your assets.
We hope you’ll consider us as important allies in your charitable network as well.
Our Life-Centered Financial Planning tools can help you identify how you want to give back and build a blueprint for a long-lasting legacy.
