About us
Try Demo
Help Center
Virtual Assistant
Open a Giving Account
Log in
Fidelity Charitable
Please enter a search term
Open a Giving Account
Log in
Virtual Assistant
For companies
For advisors
For nonprofits
About us
Help Center

Discovering your
philanthropic identity

What is your philanthropic identity?

How do you want to change the world? What values, experiences, and perspectives shape your vision for a better future? Where do you want to invest your time, talent, treasure, ties, and testimony?

Philanthropic identity is the blend of personal values, experiences, and cultural influences that shape your approach to giving. It encompasses the various dimensions of your background, stemming from gender, wealth, faith, ethnicity, profession, and more. Exploring these aspects can uncover areas you may have overlooked. Each element contributes to a giving philosophy that is distinctively yours. It’s about recognizing your power and privilege, understanding how they shape your perspective, and discovering how to use them to promote positive social change.

While this exploration can feel daunting, we’ve crafted some valuable resources to help you on your way.

So let’s get started!

Step one

Philanthropic identity quiz

Take this quiz to identify how your unique background, beliefs, and motivations influence how you view social issues and potential solutions—and identify the areas and practices that are most relevant to your giving priorities and interests. You’ll receive personalized results ranked across eight focus areas, which help to assess your interest in and familiarity with each topic.

Take the quiz now

Step two

Discovering your philanthropic identity

Once you’ve taken the quiz, it’s time to translate your results into action. Your giving should align with what truly matters to you while also considering what will make the most difference in the world. This isn’t just about self-awareness—it’s about crafting an approach that feels authentic and distinctively yours, while leading to more intentional, higher-impact philanthropy.

This comprehensive guide is designed to help you clarify and articulate your philanthropic identity. It can help illuminate a resonant approach and align your giving practices with your deepest values.

Download the guide