Why Do You Give?

“One with true virtue always seeks a way to give. One who lacks true virtue always seeks a way to get. To the giver comes the fullness of life; to the taker, just an empty hand.” –Tao Te Ching, Verse 79

Today is “Giving Tuesday.”

You’re probably getting bombarded with emails from various non-profit organizations asking you to give. Presumably they all have worthy missions and do impactful work.

As someone who has raised funds in both the for-profit and non-profit sector, I can tell you that the hardest and least fun thing to do is raise money.

If you’re in that position now and are struggling to ask for funding, one thing that might help is to look at your own giving behavior. What organizations do you give money to? What inspires you to give to them? Is it a single compelling email? A consistent pattern of asking? A heartfelt video message? You saw a great production the theatre put on and were moved by it? You just happen to be in the right mood and it’s the right time? You’re flush with cash?…What exactly does it for you? Also, where do you spend money and why? What percentage is because you need to (housing, utilities, food, etc..) and what percentage is because you want to? (new clothes, vacations, gifts for yourself and others, etc…)

Knowing what motivates YOU to specifically give and spend will help clarify your story and your ask of others.

One last thing that might help…before asking, see how far you can take the project solo. If you can bootstrap it yourself, great! Do so. The more you do it on your own, the more confidence, clarity and conviction you’ll have if/when you arrive at the point that you need to ask for funding.