Giving Compass' Take:

• François Lemoine, writing for Medium, discusses how to develop a strategic philanthropy plan and the steps to take to put it into action. 

• How are you building your giving strategy? What are the key steps for you?

• Read more on how checkbook philanthropy can still be strategic.

So many of us want or wish to help, but we don’t know where to start. Scheduling time and planning your volunteering helps and making it a habit is the place to start.

A System to Getting It Done

You need a system to get things done. It can be flexible but you must build a system. That system will have commitments and a review process. The idea behind having a philanthropic plan is to put time aside every week, every 2 weeks, every months. Whatever works for you to go out of your way and routine to help someone. To help and to volunteer and to step up in your community.

Be In the Arena

Do not sit idle. Do not talk about what you saw in the media ad infinitum to your friends, the neighbors or your family. Do not comment, your opinion isn’t needed. Sharing news isn’t caring. Go out there.

Avoid the Shiny and the Popular

How do you get involved? I do not have a list of places that need your help, but here’s my advice: go where there’s a need, but where the least people are going to. Avoid the shiny. Plenty of help is required and needed in less popular places. Popular “help” destination can take a breather for now.

Doubts About How To Help?

If you feel that you do not have what it takes to help, learn the skill to be more helpful, capable and formidable… Learning is within everybody’s power.

Making that little difference is way more than the vast majority of people will ever do or accomplish in their lives.

Read the full article about building your philanthropic plan by François Lemoine at Medium.