Starting your Philanthropic Journey

Deciding to become a philanthropist raises many questions, and the first is the most important: why do you want to give? Giving benefits everyone involved, but the best results come from a sincere desire to help and a real personal commitment.

Every journey is different. Still, the advisory firm Bridgespan describes three stages that most givers move through. Knowing them makes the road smoother.

Stage 1: Explore

It is natural to care about many issues at once, but trying to tackle all of them can be overwhelming. Be strategic. Bridgespan recommends small pilot projects: modest gifts that let you learn about several causes you care about while still achieving something real.

Ask yourself: which problems keep me up at night? Where do I have knowledge, connections or roots? For me, the answer was children's education in the communities of Edo State, Nigeria, where I saw first-hand what a lack of basic learning materials does to a child's chances.

Stage 2: Experiment

Once you have explored, start making firm decisions about priorities. Decide how much time and money you will commit, and what safeguards you will use when you work with partners, such as written agreements, progress reports and site visits.

This stage involves the most trial and error, so review your choices often. A pilot that disappoints is not a failure; it is information.

Stage 3: Swing for the fences

Not every giver reaches this stage, but those who do make the biggest difference. Here your gifts follow a clear strategy, and you measure progress against your goals. The key questions become: how can we improve, and how can we use every resource more efficiently?

Avoid standing still. Revisit your strategy regularly, celebrate what works and have the courage to change direction when something does not.

Keep learning

Philanthropy is a lifelong learning process. Stay focused, stay organised and stay curious, and your giving will grow in both confidence and impact.