The Power of Giving: How Philanthropy Impacts Financial Well-being

Why This Episode Is a Must-Listen

Can strategic generosity help you thrive, emotionally and financially?

In this Inspired Money episode, host Andy Wang brings together an expert panel to explore how acts of giving don’t just change communities, but transform your own sense of purpose, happiness, and financial health.

If you believe philanthropy is only “about the money,” this episode will give you a whole new perspective and practical strategies to make your giving more impactful. Whether you’re an individual donor, family foundation, finance professional, or nonprofit leader, this is packed with actionable advice—and heart.

Meet the Expert Panelists

Caroline Fiennes is the Founder and Director of Giving Evidence, an organization that promotes evidence-based charitable giving to ensure donations create measurable impact. A Visiting Fellow at Cambridge University and author of It Ain’t What You Give, It’s the Way That You Give It, she is recognized globally as a “charmingly disruptive” expert on effective philanthropy and has advised leading donors, companies, and foundations worldwide. www.giving-evidence.com

Paul G. Schervish is Professor Emeritus of Sociology and former Director of the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College, where he pioneered research on the moral, social, and emotional dimensions of wealth and giving. A Fulbright Scholar and five-time honoree on The NonProfit Times “Power and Influence Top 50,” he has shaped how scholars and practitioners understand philanthropy as both a financial and spiritual endeavor. http://www.bc.edu/cwp

Yvonne L. Moore is the Founder and Managing Director of Moore Philanthropy and President of Moore Impact, bringing over 25 years of experience across government, civil society, and philanthropy. A leading voice in equitable and cross-border giving, she helps families, individuals, and institutions design values-driven strategies that advance social impact in the U.S., Africa, and beyond. https://moorephilanthropy.com

Stephen Kump is President of DAFs at Foundation Source, where he leads innovative philanthropic solutions for donors, institutions, and workplaces. A former Bain consultant and U.S. Army officer, he is also the founder of Charityvest and Chairman of Teen Advisors, combining technology and purpose to expand access to effective giving. https://foundationsource.com

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This episode is sponsored by Runnymede Capital Management. Get your free 3-minute financial plan at https://www.inspiredmoney.fm/getplan and discover your retirement age, income, and strategy today.

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Key Highlights

1. Building an Impactful Philanthropic Portfolio
Caroline discusses why giving should be as strategic as any investment. Rather than random donations, align your charitable “portfolio” with your skills and resources—and verify that you’re meeting real needs with evidence-based solutions. She advises, "It’s important to think about what you have... Money is the most obvious thing, but there can be other things donors bring as well."

2. The Emotional Rewards of Giving
Paul reveals that generosity is deeply connected to happiness and meaning. Drawing on Aristotle’s concept of “philia”—friendship love—he explains, “The more you feel the people you are looking to help are actually yourself, or people like those whom you love...the greater is your generosity.” Joy comes from connecting your giving to your deepest values.

3. Values-Driven and Relationship-Centered Giving
Yvonne urges donors to engage their families and communities—not just write checks. Impact starts with understanding the problems you’re trying to solve, ongoing donor education, and building trust with nonprofits. “Philanthropy is not about wealth, it’s about worth and how you understand the worth of other people,” she shares.

4. Technology and Financial Planning Tools for Greater Impact 
Stephen demystifies donor advised funds and tax-smart strategies, making giving frictionless and empowering donors to commit more, without financial strain. “We want to put a lot of focus on making the transactional frictionless so the relational can flourish,” he says. From bunching to appreciated stock, financial tools are game changers for modern philanthropists.

Call-to-Action

Inspired Money Challenge: This week, take one intentional action toward generosity: set up a recurring donation, research a charity before giving, or simply give your time to someone who needs support. Do it with purpose, and notice how it makes you feel.

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Andy Wang, Host/Producer of Inspired Money