Creating a Purposeful and Purpose-filled Philanthropy Practice | Part 2 of 3
As you consider the ways in which you’d like to engage in philanthropic practices, it’s useful to develop a giving strategy that is both purposeful (deliberate) and purpose-filled (meaningful).
One of the first steps is to find and define your focus. What’s important to you? How is that showing up in your life? Are you motivated by faith, privilege, lived experience, a desire to honor legacy? What specific problems would you like to tackle? This step entails thinking about what drives you, and what your aims might be.
Some clients find it helpful to create a Vision Statement that describes key aspirations and best addresses the question: what do you hope to see accomplished for the future?
“Our vision for a better world is…”
A Mission Statement can further refine your direction. A short declaration that defines how you will pursue your vision can clarify decision-making moving forward, making the deliberative process easier. Consider incorporating family values that shape your perspective and aspirations.
“Our giving supports…(population, geography, results) in alignment with our values, which include (XYZ)…”
It is important to assess whether your giving plans are aligned with community needs so you are not trying to impose well-meaning but potentially mismatched solutions to pressing challenges. Context, cultural competency, and history matter.
Moneta can help you sharpen your focus areas, define your mission and reaffirm your values, and consider community needs. A more defined focus and mission allow you to say yes to the things you want to prioritize, and no to the things that may fall outside the circle. Reach out to your Moneta advisor and our Chief Philanthropy officer for a purposeful and purpose-filled philanthropy conversation
Start by asking yourself what’s most important to you and how that’s showing up in your life. Consider what motivates you, whether that’s faith, lived experience, a desire to honor a legacy, or a specific problem you’d like to help solve. From there, you can begin to define your focus and build a giving strategy around it.
A philanthropic mission statement is a short declaration that defines how you will pursue your giving vision. It doesn’t need to be made public or set in stone, but it can be a powerful tool for clarifying your decision-making. It helps you say yes to the giving opportunities that align with your values and no to the ones that fall outside your focus.
A vision statement captures your big-picture aspirations and what you hope to see accomplished for the future. A mission statement is more specific, defining how you will pursue that vision, who you want to support, and what values guide your giving. Together they create a roadmap for a more intentional philanthropic practice.
It starts with listening. Rather than assuming you know what a nonprofit or community needs, connect directly with nonprofit leaders who are closest to the problems and are experts in their field. Context, cultural competency, and history all play an important role in ensuring your giving creates genuine impact rather than imposing well-meaning but mismatched solutions.
Reflect on how you’re showing up in the world, what’s important to you, what your history has taught you, and what aspirations you carry for the future. Some values are passed down through generations, while others emerge from your own unique circumstances and experiences. A financial advisor with philanthropy expertise can help you identify and articulate those values and apply them to your giving strategy.
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