Chris Kanze of Chicago is a philanthropist and works as a consultant to new charitable organizations trying to find their footing in Chicago and surrounding areas. Below Chris Kanze explains how people who are motivated towards philanthropic endeavors can get involved, on either a grand and a modest scale.
The word ‘philanthropy’ comes from two Greek roots ‘phil‘, meaning love, and ‘-throp-‘, meaning humanity. When combined together, they create the meaning ‘a love for humanity’. Yet philanthropy today involves more than just loving your neighbor. Chris Kanze reports that it’s a dedication to supporting and providing for those in need. But how can you get involved in such work?
Although some philanthropists spend millions of dollars setting up charitable foundations, Chris Kanze says you don’t have to be a corporate scion to get into philanthropy. By simply dedicating your time and efforts to volunteer work, you can dip your toes into the world of philanthropy. For a more dedicated position, you can also find work with an NGO, non-profit, or charity.
In this overview, Chris Kanze of Chicago will quickly go through some of the most common ways people get started in philanthropy. If you want to make a change in the world, take note and consider how you can do the same.
Philanthropy As a Career
If you’re not satisfied simply donating to a charity or volunteering on the weekend, you might be the right person to work for a philanthropic organization. Charities, NGOs, non-profits, foundations, and even university systems are often looking for people with a dedicated desire to help those who are less fortunate.
These organizations act as advocates to help shape policies, enact programs to help local communities, and use their financial backing to make real change in the world. Yet they require a dedicated staff of employees to write grant proposals and reports, engage one-on-one with communities, and carry out day-to-day operations reports Chris Kanze.
If you have experience working as a writer, researcher, lawyer, marketing manager, or even an accountant, you could put your skills to use in a philanthropic organization.
How Can You Get Involved with Philanthropy?
What to get started with philanthropy? Chris Kanze says to follow these steps first!
Gain Some Experience
If you’re thinking of starting a career in philanthropy, Chris Kanze of Chicago recommends getting some first-hand experience before jumping headfirst into a new job. Start from the ground up by volunteering at a soup kitchen, packaging goods at a food bank, or distributing clothes at a local homeless shelter. Through these experiences, you can meet new people and learn the lay of the
organization.
Get Passionate About It
What’s your motivation for getting involved in philanthropy? Is it simply a selfless act or are you out to make a name and a legacy for yourself? Perhaps you want to directly affect something in the world that deserves to be fixed. Whatever your reasons, get passionate about it!
Find the thing that keeps you up at night and work to make a positive change in the world. Maybe it’s environmental issues, education, or children’s rights. Whatever the issue, the more passion you put into it, the more of an effect you’ll create.
Be Honest with Yourself
If you’re seriously considering a job in philanthropy, Chris Kanze of Chicago says it’s important to understand that it is a
career and, as with any career, it’ll have its ups and downs. Compared to corporate work, philanthropy likely won’t pay as well. You may also have to put in more work to see real results. Are you prepared to handle that sort of a burden?
Some people struggle to transition to philanthropy because they don’t know how to act as an expert in their field. If you’re not ready to sit down and write a
grant proposal or research report, don’t apply for an administrative role in a philanthropic organization.
However, if you feel that you can commit to the work and do it well, you’re sure to meet amazing, like-minded people and experience the satisfaction of making real change in the world.
Build the Required Skill Set
Even if you’re only planning to intern or volunteer, you still need the appropriate skills to do the job well. If you have a special career in mind, work towards it by learning how to handle the responsibilities of the job.
Consider going to school to learn business management skills or study law. Alternatively, research and writing skills can greatly help in a philanthropic organization. Weigh the skills you already have and start building the ones you’ll need later.
Final Thoughts on Getting Started in Philanthropy
Chris Kanze of Chicago explains that most people get into philanthropy because they care about a specific issue. Rather than sitting back and letting the world change around them, they grab life by the horns and make the change they want to see. If you’re interested in starting a career in philanthropy, gain some experience and build the skills you’ll need to do the work well.
