Giving With Intention: A Smarter Way for Executives to Invest Their Time, Money, and Expertise

The WW Team
5 days ago
5 min read

If you're a woman in leadership, you’re likely giving more than you realize — mentoring rising talent, serving on boards, contributing to causes you care about, showing up for your community, all while managing the daily whirlwind of executive life. But here's the truth: how we give matters just as much as what we give.

In a recent Wednesday Women virtual event, we gathered around a topic that often sits at the edge of our plates: how to give smarter — with our time, money, and expertise.

The session was led by Emily Harper and Jessica Gibbs, partners at Monument Wealth Management and co-hosts of the podcast Between Sips: Where Money Meets Meaning. It was an eye-opening, practical, and refreshingly candid conversation.

We talked about more than just philanthropy. We talked about alignment. Purpose. Legacy. And how women execs can take control of their impact — with confidence and clarity.

💡 Top Takeaways: Smarter Giving for Executive Women

1. Understand your ‘why.’Whether it’s gratitude, values, connection, or a drive to change outcomes — knowing why you give helps shape how you give.

2. Think in “three currencies”: time, talent, and treasure.All are equally powerful. Show up at events. Lend your skills. Give financially. A balanced portfolio of generosity can amplify your impact and your joy.

3. Assess impact — and ask for it.Don’t just give and hope. Expect feedback. Look for progress indicators, stories of change, and annual reports. Philanthropy is not a black hole.

4. Don’t underestimate your value.You don’t need a C-suite title to serve on a board. Passion, perspective, and leadership matter more than your LinkedIn headline.

5. Board service is powerful — and time-consuming.Ask yourself: Do I really have time? What will I learn? What do I bring to the table? Be honest before saying yes.

6. Be strategic with your money.Think beyond cash: appreciated stock, donor-advised funds, and tax-smart timing can all make your giving go further.

7. Unrestricted giving is deeply needed.Restricted donations can be meaningful — but general operating funds help nonprofits stay nimble and sustainable.

Why We Give: Four Core Motivations

Emily started the session with a powerful reminder: our most meaningful gifts don’t come wrapped. They show up in conversations, in boardrooms, in mentorship calls, and in how we choose to allocate our energy.

Here are four motivations for giving that resonated across the board:

Values: Giving is one of the clearest expressions of what you stand for.
Gratitude: Giving back turns appreciation into action — and joy.
Belonging: We give where we feel connection — to a place, cause, or people.
Impact: We want to see outcomes. We want to make a measurable difference.

Knowing which of these fuels you most can help you prioritize where to invest.

The “Three Currencies” of Giving: Time, Talent, Treasure

Jessica broke it down with crystal clarity:

Time: Often overlooked but highly valuable. Showing up — to events, volunteer days, or advisory calls — signals belief in the mission.
Talent: Your leadership, strategic thinking, and professional skills are rocket fuel for nonprofits. Many are operating lean and crave expertise.
Treasure: Yes, your financial giving matters. But there's a smarter way to do it than just year-end check-writing.

Spoiler: You don’t have to give in just one of these ways. In fact, the most fulfilled givers tend to do a bit of all three.

Board Service: Say Yes (Only) If It’s Aligned

Board seats are often seen as the “gold standard” of leadership giving — but they’re also where many women find themselves overcommitted and under-supported.

Emily offered a five-question litmus test for anyone considering joining a board:

Am I passionate about this cause?
What specific skills or experiences can I contribute?
Will this stretch me or grow my leadership in a meaningful way?
Can I truly meet the time commitment?
What’s the financial expectation — and am I comfortable with it?

This checklist doesn’t just protect your time — it protects your energy, values, and ability to show up as your best self.

Giving Strategically: Make Your Money Work Smarter

Most of us write checks or swipe cards at year-end without thinking too much about tax strategy or long-term impact. Here are a few helpful tips we heard in the session:

Appreciated stock can be a great donation alternative. You can avoid capital gains taxes and still get the full deduction.
Bunching donations into a single year (then skipping a year or two) can help if you itemize your taxes.
Recurring donations make life easier for both you and the nonprofit.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) offer major benefits: tax deductions now, giving flexibility later, and the ability to grow your charitable dollars tax-free.

Want to support your favorite organizations annually and get tax benefits upfront? A donor-advised fund can be your secret weapon — especially in a high-income year, after a liquidity event, or when planning a legacy of giving.

Giving Without Regret: How to Evaluate Nonprofits

Impact isn't just a feeling — and it's not just about how little they spend on overhead. Instead, ask questions like:

Is this organization transparent about its outcomes?
Do they share both numbers and stories?
Are they growing their reach in ways that align with their mission?
Do they have strong leadership and a clear strategic plan?
Is the culture healthy — or is there staff turnover and unclear goals?

And please — consider giving unrestricted dollars. It’s the ultimate vote of confidence, and it gives nonprofits the flexibility to respond to what matters most in real time.

Your Legacy, Your Way

Whether you’re giving back now or planning for later, intentional generosity is one of the most powerful expressions of leadership.

As Jessica said:

“You shouldn’t expect precision from nonprofits — but you should expect progress.”

The same goes for your giving journey. Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for alignment. Purpose. Integrity. And joy.

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out Emily and Jessica’s podcast, Between Sips: Where Money Meets Meaning, for more smart, approachable conversations around wealth, philanthropy, and financial clarity.

If you’re thinking about board service, a large gift, or just want to be more intentional with what you already give — this is the season to start.

At Wednesday Women, we believe your expertise is a form of capital. Your time has value. Your values deserve a platform. And your giving deserves to feel as strategic and meaningful as the rest of your leadership life. Looking to have more deep conversations like this with other brilliant women leaders? Consider applying for WW Executive Membership.

Here’s to smarter giving — and women who lead with heart.

Note: Monument Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Advisor. PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION at www.monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures