Your philanthropic why is not a cause you choose from a list. It is the deep, personal understanding of why you give — the conviction underneath the giving that makes it sustainable, strategic, and genuinely meaningful.
Work through these eight steps in order. Take your time with each one. The questions are simple, but the most useful answers are rarely the first ones that come to mind.
Ask the Question You Have Been Avoiding
Look at the People Around You
Excavate Your Story
Identify What Breaks Your Heart
Audit What You Have Already Been Giving
Name Your Three P’s
Three things make giving coherent, sustainable, and strategic: Philosophy, People, and Process.
Your philanthropic philosophy is your why at its deepest level — the belief that makes you give when no one is watching.
Your philanthropic people are the specific human beings your giving is designed to reach — not a demographic, a person.
Your philanthropic process is how you give with strategic intention — the difference between impulse and lasting impact.
Apply the G.I.V.E. Model™
Knowing your why is the beginning. The G.I.V.E. Model™ turns your why into action.
At this stage, you are curious about philanthropy but primarily in the discovery phase. You may want to give but haven’t yet clarified the ‘how’ or ‘why.’ This stage is about learning, exploring causes that matter to you, and beginning to understand the difference your giving can make.
› Explore personal values and what matters most to you
› Research causes, nonprofits, and community needs
› Learn about different ways to give (time, talent, treasure)
› Begin conversations about shared philanthropic vision
★ Outcome: A shortlist of causes and initial giving approaches.
You start narrowing your focus, identifying your core values and priorities. You reflect on legacy and the impact you want to create. This stage is about clarity — not just where to give, but why. Your giving becomes intentional and personal.
› Define your philanthropic values and giving philosophy
› Identify 2–3 cause areas aligned with your passions and legacy goals
› Evaluate nonprofit organizations for fit and effectiveness
› Draft a personal giving statement to guide future decisions
★ Outcome: A values-based giving statement and a shortlist of nonprofit focus areas.
You begin creating a roadmap — considering giving vehicles like donor-advised funds, setting up a foundation, providing grant funding, or employee giving structure, and envisioning the outcomes you want to achieve. You align your philanthropic plan with your broader financial and legacy goals.
› Explore giving vehicles: DAFs, corporate foundations, grant funding, employee giving
› Set annual giving budgets and multi-year impact targets
› Map giving to life events, financial milestones, and legacy plans
› Identify metrics to measure the impact of your giving
★ Outcome: A 1–3 year philanthropic roadmap with budgets and impact goals.
You move from vision to action — making meaningful gifts, building relationships with the organizations you support, and tracking results. Giving becomes fully integrated into your business and community impact planning, creating lasting impact for the causes you care about.
› Make strategic gifts aligned with your roadmap and values
› Build ongoing relationships with nonprofit partners
› Review and document impact annually
› Update strategic plan documents to reflect your philanthropic commitments
★ Outcome: Active giving portfolio with annual review and legacy documentation.
Give Up Something Real
Your Philanthropic Why Statement
When you have completed all eight steps, write your final statement.
Read it out loud. Then give it to someone who needs to hear it.
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