High Impact Giving

We will be profiling acts of high impact giving in the months ahead. First, we want to examine what qualities make for high impact giving. We operate from a few core beliefs that we would like to share with you:

• You have more wealth than you think. Wealth includes the richness of your energy, your time, your talent, and your connections. Don't forget to include your family and your community.
• You get more from your projects when you have clarity. When you define what you want clearly then you know when you succeed. With clarity, you have more control to shape and change, stop, or expand your projects.
• You can do more with your wealth sooner and better.
• You can get help from Uncle Sam.
  • Give while you are alive and save money on income taxes.
  • Give appreciated assets rather than cash and save money on capital gains tax while freeing up cash.
  • Integrate your income tax and wealth transfer to save money on estate taxes.
• Create a charitable legacy (endow your giving).
• Giving is addictive. Lead out loud and bring others in. Get those you love high on giving too.

When we give, we hope to make a difference. Throwing money at challenges doesn't necessarily make them easier. What does? Focused money in the right spot can help. Others ways to make a difference for your cause(s):

• Connect with your cause (feel passionate about it and connect to others who share your interest in the cause).
• Educate yourself and lead from a position of knowledge.  
• Use your knowledge to understand the area/context. Pinpoint the changes that make a difference.
• Think strategically:
  • what is the root cause of the challenge?
  • what is the linchpin that could unravel the snags and make things flow in the right direction?
  • what is the tipping point (see review)?
  • what can be done to leverage efforts for a bigger impact?
• Some strategies to consider: involve a club (especially one that can match donations or mobilize volunteers, use what you are uniquely good at (if it serves the cause) or hire someone who has the skills/talents needed