Philanthropy is not one-size-fits-all
Charitable giving traditions are a big part of many peoples' lives. The ways philanthropic values translate into action and behavior, however, vary widely from person to person. And that's a good thing! When you align your charitable giving activities with your own personality and the ways you like to do good, you'll enjoy it a lot more and as a result, you'll be more likely to get even more involved with your favorite causes.
Indeed, your choice of the causes you support may be based on personal experiences or even how you view your character. You may also find that philanthropy fosters personal growth and self-discovery. Some people find that getting involved in the community creates opportunities for networking and building relationships based on shared values and goals. That's why it's important to acknowledge that not everyone likes to "do good" in exactly the same way. To figure out what mix of charitable activities might best suit your personality, consider reflecting on whether you tend toward an "investor," "connector" or "activator" profile.
You might be an "investor" philanthropist if:
- You like to get involved in community activities where you can act independently, rather than scheduling dedicated time
- You may feel that you often have more money to give than time
- You're happy to write a check or purchase a product that supports a cause you care about
You might be a "connector" philanthropist if:
- You like community activities where you can collaborate with friends and family
- You enjoy the opportunity to meet people who care about a variety of causes, not necessarily a specific charity
- You like attending charities' fundraising events
- You regularly promote your favorite causes on social media
You might be an "activator" philanthropist if:
- Your philanthropic passion lies with one or two specific causes
- You like the idea of playing a small part in "changing the world" or impacting a single issue that could benefit society on a broad scale
- You enjoy serving on a nonprofit's board of directors
Whatever your personality type, Akron Community Foundation can help you leave your mark! Whether it's establishing a donor-advised starter fund to organize your giving, working with you and your advisors to establish a bequest, or getting your family involved in a site visit to a local nonprofit, we're ready to assist you.
The Center for Family Philanthropy features state-of-the-art, multigenerational philanthropic services, including education, community needs assessments, and grantmaking expertise. Director of The Center for Family Philanthropy Karen Hrdlicka works closely with philanthropic individuals and families to learn their values and create a plan that will amplify their generosity.
To learn more, contact Laura Lederer at 330-436-5611 or llederer@akroncf.org. We're always available to answer your questions about philanthropy or to schedule a personal consultation with you and your professional advisors - all at no cost.
Additional Resources
This article is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice.