Major foundations use precise frameworks to deploy their capital. But as an individual donor, you have a distinct advantage: you get to marry thoughtful planning with your own deep, personal passion. Taking your philanthropy to the next level doesn’t require a advanced degree in philanthropy. In fact, you can be the only expert needed in your charitable giving. Here are six simple steps to help you align your heart’s passion with a foundation’s precision:
1. Choose your cause (it’s your giving mission statement). Articulate the specific change you want to see in the world, moving beyond a general desire to “do good” into a focused, actionable goal.
2. Choose your location focus (from local to global). Deciding whether to fund deep impact in your own backyard or broad change on an international scale will instantly narrow your field of options and maximize your resources.
3. Find charities doing that work. Look beyond the most famous names and research the broader ecosystem to identify the organizations—big or small—that are truly moving the needle on your chosen issue.
4. Set your screening standards. Define and strictly follow your “must have” and “must NOT have” criteria—so you can quickly filter out distractions.
5. Vet, vet, vet the charities and pick the best matches for you. Look under the hood by reviewing their financial health, spending, leadership, and program focus to ensure your philanthropic capital is going to organizations doing strong work you care about. You can use CharityNine.org as a key vetting tool.
6. Build relationships with charities and be prepared to move on. Be a trusted partner by engaging in honest conversations about their challenges, successes and failures. But don’t be afraid to “break up” and redirect your funds when a charity is no longer a strong match for you.
If you know someone who wants to continue giving but to be more organized and confident — this post is worth passing along. You can copy the link: https://charitynine.org/heart-foundation/