Philanthropy is a mindset. Why, and how, we can all strive to be philanthropists
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
To many, philanthropy is a word reserved for the ultra-wealthy. Most people hear the word 'philanthropist' and picture a high net worth individual pouring millions of dollars into the nonprofit space.
Being a philanthropist is more than just giving money to organizations. Grassroots organizations, not-for-profit businesses, and social movements led by incredibly mission-oriented everyday people are redefining how we create outsized impact and the meaning of philanthropy.
You're probably a philanthropist, you just don’t realize it.
We need to embrace philanthropy's definition, which is a love of humankind. With this in mind, philanthropy is really a mindset where you care so deeply for humankind, that you will spend your time, energy, superpowers, and/or resources to create a sincere impact on humanity.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
Philanthropy is about wanting to make an impact on the greater good. I bet that in some way, you are making an impact on someone else’s life, so you're probably a philanthropist, you just didn't realize it.
Yes, you are a philanthropist if you are donating funds to a cause, but you are also a philanthropist if you're volunteering for a nonprofit or educating yourself and others on important causes.
If you need a framework to begin your journey as a philanthropist, here are some quick steps to get going:
Reflect on your superpowers. We all have them. What are your superpowers? What do you bring to the table? What can you contribute to your chosen cause? It doesn’t always have to be money. It can be your organizing power, research power, or public speaking power. Remember that you can make an impact in so many creative ways.
Find causes, movements, and people with similar interests. Create a list of the causes that resonate deeply with you. The list will most likely be ongoing and ever-changing throughout the various stages of your life. You may at first focus on a cause pertinent to your community but then focus your attention on a broader cause that touches the lives of different communities. This is time-consuming, but 100% worthwhile. Do the research. Take your time to invest in lifelong causes.
Finally, act. Do. Engage. Invest energy in the cause that you believe in. Put in the time and effort, because each philanthropic action you make can, and will, create ripples of good for generations to come.
This article is part of a series on Impact, Giving, and Philanthropy. Marushka is an NGO founder, social entrepreneur, and graduate of Stanford University.