Aligning Philanthropy and Values: Budgeting and Maximizing Personal Giving

As we enter the giving season, many of us are thinking about how to give back in meaningful ways. But with competing financial priorities, how do you make room in your budget for generosity and ensure your giving reflects what truly matters to you?

To explore that question, we sat down with Lori Timm, Director of Community Impact at Allegacy Federal Credit Union who shared insights on how intentional giving can build both personal fulfillment and stronger communities.

When people align their money with their values, every dollar becomes more powerful, Lori explained. It’s not just about giving; it’s about giving with purpose.

This giving season, when there are so many needs in our community, we want to help you think more strategically about your philanthropy through the seven steps outlined in this blog post.

💡 Step 1: Define What Matters Most: What’s your personal giving mission?

Before you set a giving goal, take time to reflect on your personal “why.” First think about what issue gets you fired up. Is it education, financial stability, housing, or animal welfare? Knowing what you care about helps you choose causes that align with your heart, not just your inbox.

Developing a personal mission statement can help guide all philanthropic activities, whether it’s volunteering, serving on a board or committee or making a monetary donation. Mission statements are a great way for organizations to define how they make an impact in the community. They are usually limited to 12 words or less and let others know exactly what they do in the community. A personal mission statement can help you make more informed decisions about where to spend your time, your talent and your treasure.

Financial Pathways of the Piedmont’s mission is helping people achieve financial well-being. This is a clear, yet broad statement of what the organization’s services aim to do for our community.

💰 Step 2: Budget with Intention

Generosity doesn’t require a big paycheck — just planning. Set aside a small, consistent amount each month (Whatever percentage you are comfortable with) in a “Giving Fund” or a separate account.

Anticipate high-demand seasons like holidays, fundraising drives, or Giving Tuesday, so your giving feels proactive, not pressured.

When you budget for giving like you budget for bills, donating becomes a joyful habit rather than a financial surprise. If you are interested in more resources around budgeting visit: https://financialpaths.org/budgeting/

Start by evaluating how much you spent last year during each month on charitable donations, add everything up and see what percentage of your income those philanthropic expenses are, if you are happy with the percentage you are contributing, put a plan in place to keep donating at that percentage, if you want to give more or less over the course of the year, just adjust the percentage accordingly.

⚖️ Step 3: Balance Requests and Stay Grounded

Throughout the year, you’ll receive countless donation requests. A personal giving mission statement — like “I give to promote financial literacy and housing stability” — can guide your decisions.

If something doesn’t align, it’s okay to say no kindly with, “I’ve already committed my giving budget this year, but I’ll keep your organization in mind for the future,” Lori advises.

The goal is to feel good about saying no in some cases, rather than upend your budget because you gave more than you budgeted for the year. This may allow you to make an even larger impact on the areas you care about most.

💬 Step 4: Talk About Giving

Philanthropy thrives in community. Discuss your giving goals with family or friends, involve children in choosing causes, or set a shared goal of how much you want to donate and to which organizations during the year.

Philanthropy is a way to pass down family values and teach the importance of serving your community to younger generations. When children see their parents give time, money, or talent they learn generosity early and it becomes an ingrained and meaningful way to continue a legacy of giving back.

When philanthropy is aligned with shared values, families can pool their resources together to make a greater impact on the causes they care about.

⚙️ Step 5: Automate for Impact

Automation makes generosity effortless. Schedule recurring donations or automatic transfers to your Giving Fund. Many workplaces even offer matching gifts, doubling your impact with no extra cost. Check with your employer about matching gift policies and timelines to make the most out of your investments in the community.

Round-up campaigns and payroll giving programs can also help you make consistent contributions throughout the year - just remember to budget and track every time you give! 

Recurring automated donations aren’t just great for nonprofits; they can be an effective tool to help you plan how much money you want to donate each month. 

Just $85 a month adds up to over $1,000 a year (that’s only $2.50 a day), and if you get a 1:1 employer match, you can double the impact to over $2,000 a year by simply setting up a recurring gift. Last year, Financial Pathways of the Piedmont Launched its Leadership Giving program for donors giving over $1,000 annually. Reach out to Brittany@financialpaths.org if you are interested in learning more! 

🤝 Step 6: Give Beyond Your Wallet

If money feels tight, your time and talents are equally valuable. Volunteer, donate food, clothing and other goods, share social media posts from your favorite nonprofits, or organize a fundraiser for your birthday or special milestone. If you have a specialized skill such as photography, writing, graphic design, or anything else, reach out to your local nonprofit and see if they could use your help.

“Giving isn’t limited to finances, some of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had supporting nonprofits are through committees and board service” Lori states.

In fact, Lori has served on Financial Pathways of the Piedmont’s Board in the past and continues to serve on our Financial Health First Responder Nomination Committee.

Lori along with other Allegacy volunteers stepped in to help Financial Pathways of the Piedmont paint and furnish our S.A.F.E. Space. 

HandsOn NWNC is a great resource to find volunteer opportunities in your area that align with your personal mission and values. Visit their webiste: https://handsonnwnc.org/

💖 Step 7: Keep Track and Celebrate Your Impact

Whether through a spreadsheet or budgeting app, track your donations and celebrate milestones. Seeing how your giving adds up over time can deepen your sense of purpose and gratitude.

Make sure to save receipts if you can file itemized deductions on your taxes to get an extra benefit for your generosity. Giving personally, no matter the amount should make you feel proud. Just know, even if you think you can't give much financially, every dollar counts; and there are several different ways to give back and to value to your community! 

✅ Takeaway Checklist

  • Define your giving values and “why” through your personal mission statement
  • Budget your philanthropy (find your desired monetary percentage)
  • Set boundaries for donation requests 
  • Talk to your family about making an impact together
  • Automate giving for budgeting and sustainability
  • Explore volunteer or committee roles to share your talent
  • Track and celebrate your impact no matter how you give

💚 Ready to Give Back?

This giving season, align your values with action.
Donate to Financial Pathways of the Piedmont and help us continue empowering individuals and families on their path to financial well-being.

👉 Give Now - Donate to Financial Pathways of the Piedmont

 

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