Smart, Sustainable Giving
When it comes to giving a lot of people freeze and never get started, worrying about motives, efficiency, or simply where to begin.
There is no single “right” way to give. The best approach is the one that aligns with your values, fits your cash flow, and turns giving into a repeatable habit rather than a sporadic impulse.
Here are a couple of ways which work:
Set-It-and-Forget-It Monthly Giving
Best for: Busy people who want consistency without decision fatigue.
- Pick 1–3 charities that match your core values.
- Set up automatic transfers each month
- Treat it like a “values tax” – non-negotiable, just like mortgage or pension contributions.
Why it works: Charities can budget with certainty. You remove the emotional friction of “Should I give this month?”
The Giving Account
Best for: earners with changeable income (bonuses, business owners, executives).
How I run mine
- Open a dedicated high-yield savings account titled “Giving Fund.”
- Transfer a % of every inflow (salary, bonuses, investment income).
- Deploy only when a cause deeply resonates – no forced deadlines.
Many of my clients – myself included – have wrestled with the same dilemma: we want to give, but struggle to find organisations that:
✅ Reflect our deepest values
✅ Deliver real, measurable impact
It can be frustrating to see donations disappear into administrative costs or vague promises. Tools like Charity Navigator, GiveWell, and Effective Altruism can help you assess how efficiently and transparently charities operate. A good benchmark is organisations that spend around 80% of donations on direct programs with clear outcomes.
And don’t overlook local causes. Smaller community groups often run leaner, and the impact is tangible. You can meet the people behind the work, see results firsthand, and build genuine trust.
Generosity isn’t just about giving money – it’s about aligning your wealth with what matters most. Thoughtful giving can become one of the most fulfilling parts of your financial life.
