In 2023, Americans gave over $550 billion to charitable organizations. Giving is a popular activity in today’s social impact culture. Not everyone likes to give in exactly the same way, though. The ways you like to give depend on your unique personality and how your preferences impact your social impact activities. In a place like Gunnison County, with big mountains and the big, creative personalities to match, you might be wondering how to structure your giving to complement your personality type.
Are You Exceptional at Turning Thoughts Into Action?
If you consider yourself to be an “activator,” here are four activities you might enjoy as you do your giving:
- Giving an increasing amount of money each year to a favorite charity based on the organization’s demonstrated results to improve the quality of life for the people or causes it serves.
- Giving money to three different charities collaborating to achieve a specific goal, such as increasing the graduation rate within a particular school, discovering new drugs to treat cancer, or rebuilding a community center in a blighted neighborhood.
- Giving to disaster-relief efforts after a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake.
- Giving money to charities with the condition that the charity report back on the results achieved with the money (e.g., 100 meals were served to homebound seniors).
Gunnison Local Katie Lewinger is known for her sunny personality. She took it to the next level by dressing like the sun to raise money for new shade structures at a local preschool.
Are You a Relationship Builder?
For people who are natural connectors, these four things are typically appealing:
- Hand-delivering checks to charities as an opportunity to say “hello” and “thank you” to the people working so hard to improve the lives of others.
- Giving money to a best friend’s favorite charity.
- Collaborating with family members during the holidays to make one big gift to a single charity instead of many small gifts to different charities.
- Encouraging children to add money to a piggy bank designated for charity and then mailing the money to the charity in an envelope with pictures drawn by the kids, or giving online with a credit card and emailing the pictures.
Are You An Investor?
If your social impact personality type is an Investor, here’s are a few ideas to consider:
- Structure an estate plan to include several bequests to favorite charities.
- Give appreciated stock to a charity instead of cash, to minimize capital gains tax exposure.
- Set up a Donor Advised Fund to organize annual giving to charities.
- Establish a budget at the beginning of the year to include a percentage of income designated for gifts to charity.
We're Here to Support Your Charitable Goals
No matter your personality type and giving preferences, we’re here to support you in making a forever impact on the Gunnison Valley. Jessica Wurtz, our Director of Philanthropy, is tuned in to the local nonprofits and the most effective ways to structure your gifts to reach your goals.
So what do you think? Is it time to get in touch with your good side? Set up a meeting with Jess and learn how you can have an even bigger impact.
Simplified Summary
Americans donated over $550 billion to charities in 2023! Everyone likes to help others, but people give in different ways based on their personality.
Are you an Action Taker? If you like getting things done, you might enjoy:
- Giving more money each year to your favorite charity
- Supporting groups working together on big goals
- Helping after disasters like hurricanes
- Asking charities to tell you how they used your donation
Are you a People Person? If you love connecting with others, try:
- Delivering your donation in person to meet the workers
- Giving to your friend’s favorite charity
- Working with family to make one big donation together
- Having kids help by drawing pictures to send with donations
Are you a Planner? If you like organizing money, consider:
- Including charities in your will
- Giving stock instead of cash to save on taxes
- Setting up special accounts for charitable giving
- Making a yearly budget that includes charity donations
No matter how you like to give, CFGV can help you make the biggest difference in your community!
