I totally agree on getting people our age to really start getting involved with charitable giving. Working at a non-profit, my friends have started to give because of my encouragement–like you mentioned, it doesn’t have to be a ton of money–literally every dollar counts…it’s so important to give back–thanks for writing this:)

re: your comments on charity today. was wondering what your thoughts were with respect to publicicy circulating my (our) philanthropic contributions to a close circle of friends? we do this to hopefully inspire others as people think it’s perfectly acceptable to make oodles of money and then give $18 to united way each year. they really don’t know what the expected or appropriate “level” is.

Good point, Jeff. A great way to encourage your friends to give more is to make a challenge gift. For example, if you know your friends are stingy in their charitable giving, make a $500 gift to a NFP with a mission all of you support. Then challenge 5 couples to match that gift by making a gift of $100 each. This will not only slowly move them up the giving ladder, but it will allow you to set an example as well. If they have a good experience and feel appreciated by the NFP, they will likely step it up in the future.

Another way to help people get a sense of appropriate levels of giving is to quantify impact. For example, let’s say that $250 can support a family of four at a homeless shelter for 2 months, and it’s also equivalent to 4 weekend dinners out for a couple living in Milwaukee. Your friends who make “oodles of money” likely spend at least $250 a month on drinks and dinner out. Understanding what that same sum of money can do for someone else might help them to think differently about charitable giving.