When you consider setting up a charity, it’s important to know who, what, when, where, why, and how you can support a cause. This will help you to set up a stronger, more successful charity. The question is, how do you find a cause that matters to you?
Self-Assessment
What can you offer to help support or promote a cause? Start identifying your options by listing the specific groups of people and the things that are most important to you. A good place to start is to think about your passions, interests, hobbies, talents, and skills.
What are you passionate about? Some people are passionate about renewable energy, while others are concerned about child poverty. When you are passionate about something, it is often these strong emotions that drives you to take actions.
Think about your interests and hobbies. Research to see whether there are any common issues among your interests and hobbies. For example, if you are passionate about knitting and are concerned about premature babies, you can knit or sew blankets for these babies.
Look at your talents and skills. How could these help a cause? For example, if you sing or play an instrument and have a soft spot for the elderly, you can visit them and play/sing (old) songs for them. You can also “adopt” grandparents or even an entire nursing home to help the elderly feel needed, wanted, and valued.
When you know what you have to offer others to make life easier and more fulfilling, the next step is to identify who and how you can use your knowledge
Social Injustices, Needs, and Health Issues
There are many things within society and our lives that need to be changed or fixed. To help solve problems or give aid to others, it’s important to identify how and where you can be most helpful.
Create a list of social injustices that infuriate you. Pinpoint community and individual needs that could use your assistance. Identify health issues you feel strongly about.
Inspirations
Research the inspiring things people do to help others and note the causes that they support or sponsor. Make a list of people who inspire you and who they help. Have family members gone through a difficult time or suffered from an illness? Brainstorm and list ways to help a cause that will honor your relative or friend.
Use the above ideas to help you identify causes that hold special meaning for you and motivate you to continue helping others. Lead by example
