Clarify your Values and Vision  – The first step is to clarify your vision. Many people know they want to make a difference but struggle to determine where or how to focus their resources. Newberry Group Advisors, LLC begins by helping you examine your deepest held values which serve as the foundation for all your giving.  

 

Prioritize your Issue Areas  – The second step is to review all the different charitable causes to which one could donate.  By taking a fresh look, assessing the variety of worthy causes and then narrowing down your interests to just three areas you will feel reassured and empowered that your giving is concentrated on your top concerns.   

 

Review your Recent Giving – Write a list of all your past contributions over the last two years and analyze the trends and patterns you see.  Have you been donating to your prioritized issue areas?  Have your past donations reflected your core values and beliefs?  Has your giving been reactive instead of proactive? 

 

Write a Mission Statement – a mission statement is a concise statement that articulates a philanthropist’s values and priority issue areas and is essential for effective philanthropy.  It will be your guiding principle and will allow you to gracefully decline all donation requests outside of your mission statement.  Your sense of satisfaction will significantly increase with your newfound focus.