Preface. 5

Chapter 1:  What is “Giving Back”?. 8

Involving your Family. 10

Common Questions. 11

A Visual Table of Contents. 14

Chapter 2:  Getting Started. 15

Capacity for Giving Back. 17

Typical Giving Possibilities at Different Life Stages. 18

Chapter3:  Volunteering Basics. 23

The First 5 W’s:  Outline of your Volunteer Experience. 24

The Second 5 W’s:  Details of your Volunteer Experience. 27

Web Sites Listing Volunteer Opportunities. 28

Digging Deeper for Volunteer Opportunities. 29

After Your Volunteer Experience. 29

Chapter 4: Donating Basics. 30

How Much to Give. 31

Allocating Your Funds for Giving Back. 35

Web Sites Evaluating Non-Profits. 38

Responding to Requests. 40

Chapter 5:  Volunteering with Children. 46

The Benefits of Volunteering. 46

Types of Volunteer Projects Suitable for Younger Children (up to age 10) 48

Types of Volunteer Projects Suitable for Tweens (age 10 – 12) 48

Types of Volunteer Projects Suitable for Early Teens (age 13 – 15) 49

Types of Volunteer Projects Suitable for Later Teens (age 16+) 50

Recognition and Motivation for Children in Volunteering. 51

Chapter 6:  Donating with Children. 52

Chapter 7:  Volunteering Strategically. 56

Snapshot of Your Current Giving Back. 56

Thinking About the Causes that Matter to You. 58

Values Discovery:  The Past 59

Values Discovery:  The Present 60

Values Discovery:  The Future. 61

Prioritizing Your Activities. 64

Assuming a Leadership Role in an Organization. 68

Giving Back with your Network. 69

Checkpoint:  Cause Inventory. 69

Chapter 8:  Thinking Strategically about Change. 72

Theory of Change. 72

Templates for a Theory of Change. 73

Chapter 9:  Implementing Your Plan. 77

Researching Your Cause. 77

Checking Out the Organization. 79

Measuring Impact and Having the Right Metrics. 80

Fund Raising Expenses. 82

Chapter 10:  Assessing Your Progress. 86

Planning the Next Step. 86

Chapter 11:  Donating Strategically. 88

Making Your Gift Go Further. 88

Setting up Your Own Matching Gift 88

Giving and Taxes. 90

Donor Advised Funds. 91

Making Non-Financial Gifts. 92

Estate Planning. 94

Tips for Families with More to Give. 96

Chapter 12:  Conclusion. 99

Appendix 1:  Listening and Learning Conversations. 100

Listening and Learning Conversation #1: “Speaking My Piece”. 104

Listening and Learning Conversation #2: “Looking for Common Ground”. 107

Listening and Learning Conversation #3 “Moving from Ideas to Action”. 113

Listening and Learning Conversation #4 “How’s it Going?”. 118

Appendix 2:  Understanding the IRS 990. 122

Reviewing Doctors Without Borders’ Form 990. 123

Appendix 3:  Starting your own Non-Profit Organization. 137

Web Resources. 139

Bibliography. 143