Plan to give regularly, because there is always a need

I’m in awe of the generosity and volunteer efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

The need is immediate for tens of thousands of people in Southeast Texas and surrounding states who are suffering in ways most of us can’t imagine.

But once the floodwaters finally recede, so many people will still need help. It’s at this time that generosity can wane because the catastrophe won’t always be front and center. The media will go back to politics and other topics of the day because that’s the nature of news.

And before you know it, Thanksgiving will be here and people will once again be prompted to pitch in. They will give bags of food and volunteer at churches, soup kitchens or community centers. And then the volunteers and the money dwindle, until the next holiday — or storm — tugs at people’s hearts.

Can I ask you to do something while you’re in a giving mood?

Think and plan how you can become a year-round giver of your time, talents or cash.

Among the steadfast volunteers at my church we talk about the 80/20 rule. It’s when 20 percent of the people are responsible for 80 percent of the work and/or giving. Ask yourself where you stand in this imbalance.

There’s actually a principle behind this rule. It’s called the “Pareto Principle,” after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto.

If you want to be part of the 20 percent, here’s some advice on developing a lifelong philanthropic plan.

Find your charitable niche. My passion is financial literacy, so the majority of my time and talents are directed toward helping people with money issues.

Based on your values, what’s important to you? Maybe it’s feeding the hungry or addressing educational inequity.

You can only volunteer so many hours, so target your money and energy to one major charitable area. This doesn’t mean you can’t help out on other causes, but become a major supporter in a particular area of need.

There’s something else you get from concentrating your charitable efforts. Through trial and error, you come to a better understanding what works best.

Here’s another bonus of having a strategic philanthropic effort. You don’t have to feel guilty about not having the time or money for multiple appeals. You can simply say you’re already committed to another cause.

Be deliberate with your dollar donations. Either budget a percentage of your income or settle on giving a set amount. My husband and I follow the principle of tithing. We give a tenth of our annual gross income to our church. Our giving in large part supports our church’s community outreach and charitable work.

If you’re not religious, then choose a charity or nonprofit you want to regularly help. Set up automatic payments. And, if you can, build some flexibility into your budget, so you can give when there’s unforeseen need like with Hurricane Harvey.

Volunteer when you can. Be as committed with your time as you are with your money. And show up when you say you will — regularly.

Although your presence is needed, it’s understandable when there are times you just can’t volunteer.

Have a deliberate approach to altruism. Establish a plan. Because there’s always need.