How to Give With Purpose When Everyone Is Asking

I am a fundraiser by day, and I love it. I cannot say enough how grateful I am for my work. I get to partner with incredible, high-achieving, generous donors who support what I believe are the cornerstones of community: education, science, and healthcare. I hit the jackpot.

What continues to baffle me, though, is what happens when high-net-worth individuals tell us they are overwhelmed by the number of requests they receive from organizations. You might say, "Well, of course, Morgen. If you have wealth and a reputation for generosity, people will reach out." Fair. But that is not the part that has me curious.

When it comes to money, most people have professional guidance. Financial advisors and wealth managers help structure portfolios, screen investments, and ensure each opportunity aligns with a client's goals, risk tolerance, and desired outcomes. Before a client is even brought into a conversation, the work has already been done to confirm that the opportunity is a fit.

So here is the question. Why do we not take the same approach with philanthropy?

When it comes to giving, even sophisticated donors often operate without a clear plan or trusted guide. The result can be dozens of competing requests from multiple organizations, each compelling in its own way but together creating noise and fatigue. Much like a financial advisor evaluates markets and crafts a strategy, a philanthropic advisor can help donors focus their generosity where it can have the greatest impact. And even without a philanthropic advisor (if it doesn't make sense with your level of giving), a thoughtful plan can ease the anxiety of reacting to constant requests and provide clarity when opportunities arise. 

So, where should I give?

Below are some questions to ask yourself, or the part of the process that your philanthropic advisor will help you accomplish.

1. Assess your assets

   Consider what you have now and what you expect in the future. Identify tax considerations, liquidity, future milestones, and any upcoming estate planning decisions that may influence your giving strategy. This is the foundation of your philanthropic capacity.

   
   

2.  Understand your giving preferences

   Decide how you want to give. Cash, appreciated assets, endowment, scholarship fund, named program, named facility, donor advised fund, or multi year pledge. Do you prefer to spread your giving across many causes or make a transformational impact on one? Some donors prefer to fund innovation. Others prefer to ensure stability for existing programs. You may also want to support the root cause of an issue you care about.

   
   

3. Clarify where you want to focus

   Your giving can be local, national, global, or a mix of all.

   
   

4. Explore collaboration

   Some donors join funder collaboratives or peer giving circles where individuals pool resources for a shared cause. This can amplify your impact and help you learn from others who share your values and interests.

   
   

5. Recognition

   Does recognition matter to you? This is more than a name on a donor wall. For some donors, giving through a business or family foundation is also a way to amplify their good work and brand to a larger community. For others, anonymity is essential, allowing the gift to speak for itself.

   
   

6. Define yours (and your family's) values

   This is the heart of your giving strategy. For some donors, this includes involving their children or larger families in the conversation. This is a meaningful and often eye-opening conversation that aligns values across generations. For individuals, this work is just as important. You might ask yourself:

   • What generosity or big breaks helped me get where I am today

   • What do I want to see more of in the world, and what do I want to see less of

   • What world do I want my children, and their children, to inherit

   • If I could solve one problem in my community, what would it be

I have done all this, now what?

There are excellent public tools and websites to help you research nonprofits. GuideStar, Charity Navigator, Give, and GiveWell offer financial information, program summaries, and comparison tools. Your local community foundation can also be a resource, although it will naturally have a local bias and also fundraise for its own work. If you are giving more than fifty thousand dollars a year, hire a philanthropic advisor who can conduct personalized nonprofit matching based on your values, priorities, and giving preferences.

Final Thoughts

This work takes time, but it's worth it! And if you're too busy, as are most of my clients, hire an expert to support the things that matter to you. A philanthropic advisor can help you give more effectively, more confidently, and with more joy.

It is time to stop treating philanthropy differently from other aspects of wealth management. While giving is deeply personal and should always remain so, it is also strategic. Philanthropy deserves the same diligence and care as your investments.

After all, we are not just talking about money. We are talking about values, family, legacy, and what truly defines our lives.

Want to explore more? Contact us, info@jonesingforgood.com.