The Return on Volunteering
What if one of the most proven paths to a more fulfilled life isn’t earning more, but giving more? There’s a counterintuitive truth at the heart of a generous life: the more you give, the more you receive. The return isn’t necessarily financial, but rather psychological. It shows up as greater well-being, deeper purpose, and a spirit that feels whole. We see this in our own lives, and we hear this from our clients too.
Why Volunteering Matters
When most people hear the word “generosity,” they think of charitable giving. And while financial giving is part of a generous life, generosity is actually a much broader practice. A more holistic view of generosity can include giving time, sharing skills, showing up for neighbors, and of course, volunteering.
Recent research supports a more encompassing view of generosity. In the book, The Paradox of Generosity, sociologists found that people who volunteer regularly report measurably higher levels of happiness, purpose, and even physical health than those who don’t. Volunteering consistently leads to greater flourishing.
Volunteering is one of the most direct expressions of generous living because it costs time, which is arguably our most important asset. But anyone who has volunteered knows their effort returns something intangible, but deeply meaningful, for both the volunteer and the recipient. Volunteering is one of the most meaningful ways to look outside of our own priorities and invest in the lives of others as well as the broader community.
Practicing Generosity
As a firm, our Sound Stewardship Principles are rooted in the belief that our resources, including our time, are ultimately not our own. We believe that wealth, time, and talent are gifts that we’re given to steward well. A commitment to volunteering is valuable to us as a firm because it connects to two of our core principles: Principle 6: Think Beyond Yourself and Principle 7: Give Generously. We weave these principles into every firm decision and as a team we value volunteering; it is one of the tangible ways we can practice our principles and invest in the needs of our neighbors and the greater Kansas City community.
We believe generous practices can help create a more generous community and world. This National Volunteer Week we want to say thank you to everyone who contributes to the betterment of the community. We’re grateful for you!
Curious how generosity and intentional giving fit into your financial plan? We’d love to connect, reach out to our team.
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