Reflections on Personal Giving

Giving is personal - it's supposed to be.  We literally have a world of choices to navigate as we reflect on what we want to accomplish with our financial support.  

This Christmas for the first time I decided  to offer to make a "matching gift" for my kids to any charity they chose to support.  Both boys selected non-profits focused on helping animals in need. I was a little disappointed that their focus wasn't on helping people but I wanted to strongly encourage and suppport their choice.  But after some good conversation we all agreed that next year their giving has to benefit humans.  My youngest, who is 8, counted out $27 from his piggy bank and decided to give $20 to an organization that focuses on saving whales, his favorite animal.  I should be that generous!

Everyone has a different idea and approach to giving.  Tithing, especially to a church, is a common and well-known practice. As I reflected on what I wanted to do this year I had a great deal of clarity.  I've decided to focus my charitable giving on helping people in poverty and to help veterans.  Of course, I will give generously to Middlesex United Way, and will continue to increase my giving annually to United Way by at least 5 %.  Much of our United Way funding already goes to helping people of very modest means increase their self-sufficiency.  But I also want to support organizations that I haven't previously supported.  I will do this in a couple of ways.  Every dollar I spend on clothing for myself I will "match" with a gift.  I will also donate half of every expense check I receive as a result of my work here.  

It's exciting to think about how we can support the outstanding work of so many effective non-profits.  I encourage you to consider how your charitable giving will be different this year.  And, don't forget that charity begins at home (with a gift to Middlesex United Way!).