Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Make act of giving part of one’s lifestyle

Mr Richard Hartung was right to say that doing good takes more than just giving (“Successful Philanthropy: Doing good takes more than just giving”, Feb 11). I would add that giving is more than donating money to good causes.

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp
Vanessa Tan Yu Bee

Mr Richard Hartung was right to say that doing good takes more than just giving (“Successful Philanthropy: Doing good takes more than just giving”, Feb 11). I would add that giving is more than donating money to good causes.

Based on previous studies and my current post-graduate research on philanthropic giving, where I interviewed 15 philanthropists who have given away more than a S$1 million for at least five years, all of them have stated that their acts of philanthropy involve the giving of time, talent and treasure over an extended period of time.

Giving behaviour is a process where the donor-volunteer is first exposed to a role model who is usually a parent or authority figure, or to a peer. This behaviour is further nurtured over the years and eventually matures.

In fact, the first giving encounter for these philanthropists has always been first volunteering their time for a cause close to their hearts; for instance, distributing basic necessities to low-income families who live in rental public-housing blocks.

Through these experiences, the philanthropists gained in-depth understanding of the needs of the beneficiaries. As their commitment towards their chosen cause increased, giving monetarily became a natural progression.

As their philanthropic journey matures, some of these philanthropists make major gifts, sit on boards of the organisations, provide pro-bono services or raise funds for them. Many even mobilise the people in their personal and professional networks to give.

When the relationship between donor-volunteer and their selected voluntary welfare organisation is entrenched in the life of the donor-volunteer, the giving becomes strategic. The donor-volunteer contributes to solving the root cause of the social problem, and in some instances engages in bequest-giving, where he or she leaves behind part of his or her will for the chosen cause.

While it is important for donors to be cautious about where they donate their money, it is important not to over-strategise, unless you are talking about huge sums.

I suggest that, first, donors start small — be it in terms of donations, or giving their time and expertise. Second, start young — giving is usually nurtured by role models.

Third, give where you can, whenever you can. Giving does not necessarily always have to be “effective” or “strategic”; it is more important for giving to become part of our lifestyle. Essentially, it is not the scale of the giving, but the love behind the act of giving that matters.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.