So you want to become a philanthropist. This is an incredibly noble thing to be interested in, as there are a lot of causes that are in dire need of assistance across the globe, spanning a wide range of different situations. There’s a common problem that many people who decide to become philanthropists tend to come across though – how do you start? This is a fair question to have, as there’s a lot that goes into philanthropy. Here’s a brief guide to help you get started.
Figure Out The Cause You’re Passionate About
Before you start becoming a philanthropist, it’s important that you identify a cause that you’re passionate about and want to try and support. For instance, if you’re interested in the environment, you might want to support organizations that are dedicated to improving it. Perhaps you’re passionate about veterans because your father was a veteran. It can be anything really, and it should be something that you feel strongly about.
Think About How You’ll Support Your Cause
One of the most wonderful things about philanthropy is that it can come in many forms. Some philanthropists donate large sums of money to their causes, while others try to donate tangible resources. Some enjoy getting involved and giving their time to a specific cause. Perhaps you want to donate laptops to children who are in a lower-income school district, or maybe you want to build a house for victims of a hurricane. By determining how you want to contribute you’ll have an easier time making it all happen.
Look For The Right Organization
Once you’ve figured out what you want to support and how you want to do it, you should try and find an organization or group that can help you make it happen. For example, there are loads of wonderful organizations that are dedicated to supporting the environment, whether it be locally, worldwide, or in a specific country overseas. You’ll want to do your research on each of these groups in order to make sure that their mission aligns with yours, and to make sure they have a good track record of getting things done.
Think In The Long Term
Finally, to truly become a philanthropist you must think in the long term. Sure, you can give back a single time, but that’s not necessarily going to make a permanent change. Think about how often you’d like to offer your support. Perhaps it’s once a year, or maybe it’s every six months. You can also think about if you want to support multiple organizations, working with one organization this year and a different one the next. This way you’re able to consistently help out those in need and likely have a real impact on these important causes.