It seems every year we find ourselves saying that the past year was one to learn from. But it always seems to be true, particularly when we set aside some time to reflect. Philanthropy is not immune to the sentiment, particularly in our personal giving, and we believe there is a lot of value is regularly self-assessing. Regardless of the dollar amount of your giving, utilize the below 20 question self-assessment to reflect on your giving at regular intervals or following significant life events (both internal or external).
- Where did I stop giving?
- Why did I not continue giving there?
- Did those organizations that I’m not funding stop communicating their needs or not communicate them in a way that I found compelling?
- Did those organizations have missions that felt urgent, pressing, or relevant?
- Where did I make new gifts?
- Where did I make gifts that were bigger than before?
- Did I give directly to people that were in need (via venmo, gofundme, or extra/larger tips to service providers, for example)?
- If so, do I regularly incorporate and account for giving to individuals with immediate needs in my giving portfolio?
- What percentage of my giving is responsive versus prescriptive versus trust-based?
- Were there new issue areas that I gave to?
- If so, do these issue areas need to be further researched before I continue to commit funds?
- What were my main motivations for giving during this time period?
- Did those motivations feel consistent for me or did they feel particularly unique to the circumstance or situation?
- Were there new organizations or issue areas that I intended to explore as possible avenues for my giving, but I didn’t get to?
- Were there aspects of impact that I intended to learn more about or evaluate for myself, but I didn’t get to?
- For the organizations that I give to and feel passionate about, what about them do I attribute that passion to?
- What other ways beyond dollars did I give?
- How similarly does my non-financial giving look to my financial giving?
- Did I involve friends, family members, or colleagues in any of my giving?
- Lastly, do I feel good about my giving?
