By Mally Cox-Chapman, Elizabeth Mitchell Family Foundation

What motivates your giving? As you review your grants list are you proud of your choices? If your children saw the list, would they be proud of you?

I recently asked three siblings in their 50’s and 60’s what motivated their work together. Givers for all of their adult lives, they have come together every year for the past five to give away money out of their family’s foundation. I asked them if their motivation or goals in giving had changed over the years we have worked together. They have given me permission to share their responses.

The first one spoke of connecting with his brother and sister—and the deepening of their relationships that has evolved because of actually working together. They visit grantees, talk through reactions to requests, and get together twice a year to make decisions.

The second brother spoke of connection to their parents, now deceased. He reflected on the honor of acting on their parents’ values, and his hope that his children would do the same.

Their sister talked about connection to community. “The discipline of giving away money,” she said, “takes listening and respect for the non-profits. But,” she added with a smile, “we infuse our giving with hope and promise.”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all donors felt that our giving connected us with family and community to create hope and promise? Spring is the time of new beginnings. I encourage you to wonder why you give what you give and if there are ways it could feel more meaningful to you and your family.

To see the new website of the three siblings, please visit www.freshsoundfoundation.org

Mally Cox-Chapman is a family trustee of the Elizabeth Mitchell Family Foundation and principal of Benefactory Philanthropic Advisors LLC.