Everyone Can Give Back… Here’s How to Start

In my role at the Quad Cities Community Foundation, I talk with generous people every day. No matter their age, background, or interests, people in our region are eager to get involved and give back to their community.

For many, stepping into the world of charitable giving and philanthropy can feel overwhelming. Who should I give to? How can my money do the most good? What does my community need? These questions will have different answers for everyone!

That’s why we created Your Generosity Guidebook, a resource that helps people think about what philanthropy means to them and start to carry forward their generous wishes in simple, effective ways. And for people who have already started on their philanthropic journey, the Guidebook has ideas for how to make giving even more meaningful—both for the donor and for the community they support. 

It begins with values. What is important to you and your family? What brings you joy? The journey begins here because the most rewarding giving will often incorporate your own values and experiences.

Next, identify your interests and passions—the things that inspire (or frustrate!) you. This can help link your giving to the organizations working to promote or improve your interests in the community.

By combining values and passions, you can express a mission for giving. The possibilities are infinite, but you might come up with something like, “My goal is to create safe and vibrant opportunities for people of all abilities to play, exercise, and socialize in my community.”

Mission in hand, I encourage you to connect directly with nonprofits—either through research or in a more hands-on way through site visits or volunteering, because effective philanthropy is a journey and a relationship between you and the causes you care about. No matter where you are on your journey, your local community foundations are here to offer advice and connect you with resources to make your giving as effective as possible.