The Heart of Philanthropy: Values, Motivation & Impact
What drives families to give? In a recent conversation, Tim Cestnick—one of Canada’s leading voices in tax and personal finance—referenced Russ Allen Prince’s “Seven Faces of Philanthropy,” a framework that identifies core motivations:
- Devout: Giving driven by faith and spiritual values.
- Investor: Philanthropy as a way to advance business reputation.
- Dynast: Family legacy and tradition of giving.
- Repayer: Giving back due to personal benefit or recovery.
- Altruist: Pure desire to help others.
- Communitarian: Supporting the community that supports them.
- Impact-oriented: Focus on tangible, measurable change.
Understanding one’s “face” of philanthropy guides strategic giving, helping families align their contributions with core motivations.
Why it Matters: When families understand what compels their giving, they can craft more meaningful, sustained impact rather than ad hoc donations.
Applying the Framework: Tim advises that conversations about values and motivations should precede any donation decisions, fostering consistent giving aligned with core beliefs.
Takeaway: Clarifying your motivation behind giving leads to more focused, impactful philanthropy.
Excerpt Taken from the Cause Leadership Podcast with Tim Cestnick. Full episode available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
