A Strategic Approach to Charitable Giving

 

The Seven Principles of Charitable Giving

We at Schwab Charitable Fund have developed a strategic approach to help you define your own charitable mission and, through a clearly defined process, make that mission a reality. Even if you have been supporting charities throughout your life, these seven principles can help you evaluate — and perhaps refocus — your giving program.

  1. 1. Define Your Charitable Mission
    Identify your long-term vision for change and ways you can make a difference.
  2. 2. Identify Your Resources
    Determine what you would like to give in terms of financial assets, time, and skills.
  3. 3. Structure Your Giving
    Implement a giving plan that fits your financial circumstances and allows you to maximize the impact of your gifts.
  4. 4. Focus Your Giving
    Identify specific goals for your giving and specific charitable organizations that, with your support, can achieve those goals.
  5. 5. Make Use of Available Resources
    Seek out information from professionals and organizations that support strategic charitable giving.
  6. 6. Measure The Success of Your Giving
    Evaluate the effectiveness of the charities you have chosen to support and adjust your giving to maximize results toward your mission.
  7. 7. Periodically Review Your Mission
    Consider from time to time whether your mission continues to be the right one for you.

If you’d like to discuss these Seven Principles of Charitable Giving and how they apply to you, please give us a call.