Have a Charity Strategy

Giving back to society is important for both society and for you.

In general, it’s good to have balance in the ecosystem.

Many of our accomplishments and wealth are not just due to our talent and hard work but also luck. In that sense, we often receive things we don’t always deserve, so when we give back a portion of our resources to those in need, it makes us feel good, and a balance of energy is maintained. There is also multiple research supporting the fact that giving back leads to happiness.

However, charity should be truly voluntary, not forced.

These days, many organizations pursue people aggressively to extract money in any way possible, even making you feel guilty to compel you to donate. There are beggars everywhere, and you genuinely feel bad for them. Then, there are fundraising campaigns promoted by your friends and network that you sometimes feel pressured to participate in, even if you don’t really want to.

Often, we do charity not because we want to but because we feel we have to, and that’s a problem. The problem isn’t necessarily about spending money—if you end up paying a bit here and there, that’s okay.

Beyond money, however, it brings a bigger issue: the mental baggage you carry. Every time you come across a charity opportunity, you feel conflicted—should you give or ignore? Ignoring isn’t easy if it’s a genuine cause, and if people around you seem to be participating, you don’t want to appear insensitive.

How do you do your share without being swayed by every charity request?

Well, here’s my opinion: you should have a charity strategy in place. It can vary each year based on your capacity and available time (in case you can volunteer).

Each year, you can assign a budget for charity, which can be a specific percentage of your income. You can dedicate a certain amount to planned causes, like organizations you’re associated with, and reserve some funds for unforeseen requests. You can also plan for non-monetary charity by donating your time and efforts.

Overall, having clarity on how you want to give back gives you peace of mind. This also ensures that you donate to the right causes and places that matter to you.

If the budget for unforeseen requests runs out, you can politely decline by saying, “I’ve done my part for this year, good luck!

And, always remember – Charity begins at home.