Why we don’t need to wait to become rich to give back

Over the years I’ve watched many celebrities using their platforms to raise awareness to specific causes, and it’s always inspiring to me. Seeing someone like Emma Watson speak out about the position of girls and women for example, or Leonardo DiCaprio pushing for climate change awareness. There have been times when I’ve been truly amazed by how much of an impact the causes they’ve raised awareness for have had.

But seeing them speaking out could also make you feel like you need to be on their level to give back in a meaningful way. According to research, most young people think they need money and a huge platform before making an impact.

I’ve come to realise over the years, that it’s not the size of your wallet or the size of your audience that matters. I think sometimes we forget that giving back can look a lot of different ways. It can be as simple as offering your time, supporting local businesses, connecting people in your network who don’t know each other yet, volunteering at shelters, or helping a neighbour in need. The small actions add up, and to make someone’s day a little brighter we actually don’t need much money.

In fact, contrary to what people often think, there are a few reasons why we don’t need to wait until we’re rich or famous to start giving back in a meaningful way. Here are a few reasons why anyone can give back, regardless of their financial situation:

Charity offers relief, but empowerment creates change.

Charity has long been seen as a fundamental response to poverty, inequality, and suffering. It’s often the go-to solution for those in need, offering immediate relief and tangible support in times of crisis.

Viral fundraising campaigns like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised over $200 million to fight the disease, is a jaw dropping example of this. Another example is the song “We Are the World’, which has raised over $80 million (equivalent to $222 million today) for humanitarian causes. Ninety percent of the money was pledged to African relief, both long and short term.

While charity campaigns like this can offer immediate relief and is very much needed, it may not address the root causes of poverty or inequality. Its long-term impact is often limited, as it often creates a cycle of dependency rather than long-term solutions.

When it comes to philanthropic work, one can also approach it in terms of empowerment. Empowerment, on the other hand, focuses on enabling individuals or communities to gain the skills, resources, and confidence they need to help themselves. Instead of giving temporary assistance, empowerment helps people create sustainable change by fostering independence, self-sufficiency, and a sense of agency. Empowering others allows them to take control of their lives and work toward lasting solutions, which has a more enduring and meaningful impact than charity alone.

In contrast, empowerment—giving individuals the tools, resources, and opportunities to help themselves—has proven to be a more sustainable and transformative approach. Empowerment doesn’t just alleviate the symptoms of hardship; it addresses the root causes, creating lasting change that enables individuals and communities to thrive independently. Empowerment, rather than charity, offers a more effective and sustainable solution to the world’s most pressing challenges.

While charity may provide temporary relief in times of crisis, it is empowerment that leads to lasting, sustainable change. By offering individuals the resources, skills, and opportunities to improve their own lives, we foster independence, dignity, and personal growth. Empowerment tackles the root causes of social issues, ensuring that those in need can rise above their circumstances and thrive without relying on handouts. As we move forward in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, we must shift our focus from charity to empowerment, helping people help themselves and building a world where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The power of time, talent, knowledge.

A lot of the topics I’ve been learning more about over the last couple of years focus on leveraging AI and technology to solve big real-world problems. I’m really interested in how new ideas and innovations are changing education, the environment, and healthcare. One key insight I’ve gained is that while funding is often limited in philanthropic institutions, there are times when budgets are available—but the challenge isn’t money.

Sometimes, the real challenge is figuring out how to get the solution to the people who need it the most. This envolves questions like: How do we reach those living in remote areas, or how do we ensure that the solutions are actually used and locally embraced? These are challenges that go beyond financial constraints; they’re about accessibility, adoption, and effective implementation.

Melinda Gates, for example, shared in her TedTalk about a promising solution of bringing special toilets to local villages. Although the Tiger Toilet is a promising innovation, locals initially used it only to store food. It wasn’t until the foundation paid attention to the local villagers, had conversations with them, and talked to them extensively, that they realized how they needed to tweak their message. This feedback could only come from those on the grounds, who have spent enough time with the people in those villages to know what was the missing link.

Wealth is relative

I also believe that what one person views as a small amount of money, another might view as enough to live comfortably. Wealth is relative because its value and meaning are shaped by one’s perspective and circumstances.

For example, people living in a wealthy country with access to abundant resources may view wealth in terms of money, possessions, or status, like owning a large house or having a high-paying job. But for someone in a developing country or financial hardship, wealth may mean having enough food, healthcare, or the ability to support their family. For them, even a modest sum can be life-changing, while in wealthier societies, the same amount might seem insignificant. Donating 5 dollars a month is an amount of money that certain people don’t even miss but can bring clean water to 3 families in the world.

Similarly, wealth can take on different meanings depending on personal values. For one person, financial security and material success may be the ultimate goal, while for someone else, wealth could be found in relationships, time spent with loved ones, or pursuing personal growth. The sense of what constitutes “enough” can vary greatly, depending on what is most important to the individual and the resources available to them. Personal needs and priorities shape our understanding of wealth—what’s considered wealthy to one person could be basic security to another.

In essence, what is considered wealth changes based on one’s environment, needs, and values. This makes wealth a fluid and personal concept, where what might be seen as little by some can be viewed as much by others, depending on the context in which it’s evaluated. Recognizing that wealth is subjective encourages gratitude for what we have, rather than focusing on what we lack, and helps us appreciate the diverse ways wealth manifests in different lives. Aside from the fact that many people who are not financially wealthy still have much to offer in terms of time, attention, and love.

Creating a ripple effect by inspiring others

Habit of Giving

Back in 2023, I announced that I decided to commit 10% of the earnings I make from this platform to girls’ education. As this platform continues to grow and I will continue to work on projects, the donations will grow with me. Even though we’re still a tiny corner on the Internet, the habit of giving has become a fundamental part of my journey. It’s an integral part of my philosophy to do what you can with what is given to me.

Therefore, I want to inspire a shift in how we view giving, making it more inclusive and focused on collective action rather than individual wealth. If we wait until we are “rich” or “famous” to give back, we may miss countless opportunities to help. The earlier we start giving, the more it becomes a natural part of our lives. Starting small teaches us the value of generosity and builds a mindset that will support giving at any level. Those who are given much have a social responsibility to do more with it, but in essence, giving back is about what we have to offer right now—whether that’s time, talent, or treasure.

I enjoy challenging the misconception that philanthropy is only for the wealthy. Work needs to be done on all levels of society, and if we focus on empowering people, there are often many ways we can do good. I believe anyone, regardless of financial status, can contribute to positive change. Using what you have — whether it’s time, expertise, or community connections–to create a meaningful impact. We don’t need to wait for a certain status or financial situation to make a difference. Every act of giving, no matter how small, can have a meaningful impact.