How to Become a Philanthropist

Philanthropy is often associated with prominent and renowned people. In the past few decades, we’ve heard of famous movie stars, such as the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Paul Newman, or top notch entrepreneurs and businessmen, like Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, becoming philanthropists.
The association of these well-recognized people to philanthropy should not be something that discourages anyone from becoming a philanthropist. To become a philanthropist, all it takes is determination, passion and the drive to do well in your chosen field.

Here are some ways you can figure out how to make a difference and become a philanthropist:

Find your Passion
To become a successful philanthropist, you need to figure out what you truly care about. If seeing homeless people in the streets evokes a strong sense of sadness in you, figure out what you can do to help. This could be your calling – to end homelessness in your community. Another example is that if one of the people you love is suffering from cancer and you have a zeal for supporting others who are going through the same emotional roller-coaster, then organize a group that meets once a week to provide advise, support or company for people who need it.

Remember, to become a philanthropist, you need to have passion.

Spread the Word and Support the Cause

Another misconception that people may have is the link to thousands of money. When people think of philanthropy, people are quick to link writing cheques, sending it to a charity, and, figure, the work is done. Yes, philanthropy does involve raising money for the cause. However, it takes more than that. A number of causes need people to volunteer their time and educate people about that particular issue. For example, let’s say you’re raising money for researching the cure for HIV. Spreading the word could mean informing people of the common misconceptions people have of HIV patients and inspiring them to help others who are suffering from the disease.

Remember, to successfully become a philanthropist, you need to be able to inspire others.

Connect and Collaborate

In order to spread the word and advance your cause, you need to connect with like-minded people or anyone who can help you and your cause. You can contact small businesses or your local municipality to see if an opportunity is there to work with them. Don’t do it on your own. Remember, the more your work with others, the easier it is to spread your cause. Also, if you work with other people and organizations, you end up having more resources – be it people, money and time.
Remember, to become a philanthropist, you need to seize the day and take advantage of the opportunities available and work with others to advance your cause.

These are some simple ways to become a philanthropist. No matter how small your effort, it makes a difference. In the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Original Source: http://philanthropistlist.com/2014/05/become-philanthropist/