Tucked away in the basement of the Lionel Samson buildings in Freo, the group milling about couldn’t have been more different, yet at heart – for many reasons – we shared a commonality: the belief that we could and should be sharing our wealth with our community.
I’d been invited by a close mate (he’s the best podiatrist in town if you want an introduction) to meet with and hear a presentation given by a group of local philanthropists forming part of the local chapter of Impact 100.
All from different walks of life, but all independently wealthy, some for many generations, a handful newly well-off and all wanting to give back.
Here was my take-home point – we (you) don’t need to be a “philanthropist” to make a difference to a cause or contribute to the community.
Notwithstanding the ongoing fundraising I’ve been part of, I have always felt like I could do, or give more but after hearing this from one of the presenters, the $40,000+ that I’d raised and donated to Movember and the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the past 8 or so years is respectable.
When BH Brown Mortgage Brokers began to turn a profit, I promptly called the RFDS to set up a monthly direct debit that would equate to approximately 1% of our net profit. Then, a year later I added another 50% to it.
It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time and we don’t notice the deduction now, but adding it up over the previous years, we’ve given a fair amount! I’m stoked and feel quite proud we can share our wealth with this incredible organisation, giving directly to minimise frictional costs of donating.
Our next phase will be to donate to Sea Shepherd.
Why am I sharing this with you?
Well, the second take-home point was to tell others that we are “giving” to encourage them to give.
So take this as a little nudge – can you do more for your community? Can you give back or contribute in some way, knowing it doesn’t have to be financial?
Maybe I’m jaded or a touch cynical, but it feels to me as if we live in such a privileged society, want for nothing, can afford to be idealistic but forget all of this we experience – from safety to freedom to think, act, speak and work in a way that pleases us, to healthcare to the incredible police force, education system and so on, to say nothing of our pristine environment – is the result of hard work, people contributing and a system which supports independence and liberal stance towards free enterprise.
Many of these services that the less fortunate have access to are funded by the people who are out driving industry and enterprise. All of this didn’t magically happen. It needs constant energy and input.
We should all take a minute everyday to give thanks, be grateful and give something back to our community. It could be a few dollars, it could be a few hours, whatever it is, it should be something and if you think you can’t, I’m telling you, you can.
It’s easy to start, do what I did, pick a cause that’s close to your heart, contact them and ask how you can contribute.
If you prefer to deal with businesses that actively give back, or need Professional Mortgage Advice (make a donation to your own cause) start by booking a free 10-minute Introductory Finance Consultation with me HERE. (valued at $54.80). Limited spots.
Cheers,
Brodie Brown
BH Brown Mortgage Brokers