Charitable giving is admirable, but if you’re new to philanthropy, it can be difficult to know where to begin. There are many worthy causes out there, but how do you determine which one is right for you? Here are some tips to get you started:

Define Your Objectives

The first step to becoming a philanthropist is to determine your goals for your donations. Your giving will mean much more to you if you give to a cause that aligns with your personal values. What type of cause do you want to support? Think about what is important to you and imagine what positive change you would like to see in that area. After you determine your goals for giving, commit those goals to paper.

Create a Strategy

The next step to charitable giving is to create a strategy. You need to know how you will give.

You may choose to give money, or you may choose to give your time. Many organisations need volunteers as much (or more) than they need monetary donations. Also, consider if you would like to give on your own or include your family in the process.

This is also a good time to decide if you would like to give locally or internationally. No matter where you live, you can find a local need. However, you may choose to give internationally, such as to developing countries.

Consider Taxes

You work hard for your money, so when you decide to give some away, you probably don’t want to see it go to taxes. In 1990, the UK implemented Gift Aid, which is a way for charities to claim the basic tax rate that you have already paid on a donation. This allows the organisation, rather than the government, to use more of your money. To utilize Gift Aid, you must include a declaration along with your donation.

You may choose to donate directly from your paycheque, which is called payroll giving. This option is tax-efficient and convenient. Payroll giving comes out of your pay before income tax, so you won’t be paying taxes on these contributions.

Choose Your Charity

Once you have clarified your goals, created a strategy, and considered how to give in a tax-efficient way, you are ready to choose your charity. With over 160,000 charities in the UK, this step can seem overwhelming.

There are various online resources available to help you with your search. Websites like The Charity Commission, Guide Star UK, and Charities Direct allow you to do an advanced search to find organisations that match your desires. Once you’ve narrowed your choices down, you can contact the organisations and ask them results-focused questions. Choose the charity that seems like it will make the most difference in an area that is significant to you.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you are on your way to becoming a philanthropist! Be sure to regularly assess your charitable giving and determine if you need to make changes. If not, continue doing what you’ve been doing. And be proud of yourself— you’re doing your part to make the world a better place.

Originally published: https://bit.ly/2QOtUZF

British sports cars are some of the most iconic cars in the world. Known for their luxury and beauty, these automobiles are what dreams are made of. Here is a list of five of the most iconic British sports cars ever:

Jaguar E-type

The Jaguar E-type was introduced in 1961 and was manufactured until 1975. Enzo Ferrari called the Jaguar E-type “the most beautiful car ever made”. Glamourous and exotic as they were, these cars were made with 3.8-litre inline six-cylinder engines that could also perform — with maximum speeds of 241 km/h.

The Aston Martin DB5

The Aston Martin DB5 is sometimes called “the most famous car in the world.” It was featured as James Bond’s car in the 1964 film Goldfinger. This car was the epitome of luxury for its time period. It had electric windows, leather trim, and wool pile carpet. It even included a fire extinguisher for emergencies. Aston Martin released a high-performance version of the DB5 in 1965 that could go from 0-60 mph in 6 seconds.

Morgan 4/4

The Morgan 4/4 was first produced in 1936 and is still produced today, making it the longest running production car in the world. Like many iconic British sports cars, the Morgan 4/4 is beloved for its appearance rather than its performance. In fact, the Morgan 4/4 could only reach about 75 mph, but it is still one of the most iconic British sports cars ever made.

Jaguar XK-120

The Jaguar XK-120 began as nothing but a concept car in 1948 but received such a strong reaction from the public that Jaguar decided to put them into production. The first ones were made with aluminium bodies but demand was higher than expected, so later models were made with pressed steel. Their motors are sometimes described as “jewel-like.”

Austin-Healey Sprite

The Sprite, also known as the Frogeye, was first produced in 1958. The Frogeye name came from the design of the headlights, which sit on the bonnet of the car and were originally supposed to retract. However, the cost of manufacturing the retracting headlights was too high, so the idea never came to fruition. Interestingly, the car also had no door handles on the outside but instead required one to reach inside the vehicle to open the doors.

There you have it—five of the most iconic British Sports Cars of all time.

Originally published: https://bit.ly/3a55rH3

A Beginner’s Guide to Charitable Giving