Do I have to be wealthy to give?

What is generosity? Societally, generosity typically is associated with giving away money or objects. In a culture centered around wealth and success, how do you adopt a generous mentality without connecting it to the amount you can give financially?

There are common misconceptions about generosity – the largest is that generosity is defined by monetary value. We tend to measure our generosity by how much money we are able to give and miss other ways to give by doing so. You don’t have to donate a large sum to be considered a generous person. The true power of generosity radiates from the ability to let go of what we value and give back to others.

When you put generosity into practice, the impact you have on the recipient is unparalleled. Generosity toward others encourages generosity from others, and this effect builds over time. You can exercise generosity by taking small steps instead of a great leap, and that’s OK. Try putting aside $10 every month, then at the end of the year, you’ll have $120 to donate to an organization!

You may be wondering, what about future generations? How do you instill the value of generosity in your children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren? Here’s where the NexGen Fund comes in. If you already have a donor-advised fund through Christian Community Foundation, you can create a NexGen fund with no minimum donation requirement. It includes solutions for a wide-range of customizable strategies and can be created in the name of someone to encourage charitable giving for the next generation.

Even still, giving a monetary donation, no matter the size, can be challenging. Even if you can’t write a check, there are numerous ways to increase giving and encourage philanthropic efforts. Instead of giving money, think about giving your time or your skills. Join a board or seek volunteer opportunities at churches, hospitals or other local organizations within the city. Generosity knows no bounds.

Are you inspired to give but not sure where to begin? Contact us to start your journey at 901-682-6201!