Design Fundamentals for Meaningful Giving #10: Whatever Else

 Now is the time to identify whatever else is important in your giving.

As we wrap up this series on key philanthropic design considerations, It can be helpful to think in terms of “hard parameters” (e.g., legal and regulatory requirements for which absolute compliance is required) and “soft parameters” (e.g., personal preferences like family considerations that are subjective in nature but often no less important to those involved!).

Here are some questions designed to help you identify your own hard and soft parameters. As you go through these questions, be sure to ask yourself, “And what else matters here?” There are almost always specific factors that are unique to each individual looking to gear up their giving.

1. Do you have any strongly held beliefs that haven’t come up already in going through the other nine
   design fundamentals? Now is the time to identify any key beliefs that are likely to shape your outlook on your giving.
2. Are there any particularly pivotal experiences that have shaped your perspective on giving? Is there an example of a peer or mentor that you feel inspired to follow?
3. Are there any specific tax and/or financial planning considerations that will influence your approach to your giving?
4. Are there any relevant family dynamics or relationships that haven’t already come up in response to the prompts for the 9th Design Fundamental: Who?
5. What about any non-financial resources you’ll be drawing on to carry out your giving? This is where it can be helpful to reflect on the eight forms of wealth reviewed in Design Fundamental #3: Wealth Stock. Are there any particular considerations that arise for you around your own individual capital—your physical health and well being? What about your intellectual capital—the ideas and stock of knowledge that you have to inform your giving? And what about social capital, cultural capital, natural resources and physical infrastructure and political capital? Are there any particular opportunities and constraints that arise for you and your giving approach in these domains?
6. Overall, what else matters to you in your approach to giving? Only you can fill in these blanks. Now is a great time to identify whatever else might influence how you move forward.

Download the worksheet

Check out the video, download the worksheet and stay tuned for the final segment in this series, where we'll look at how you can bring together the most important considerations in your giving into a single design thesis.