Question on continuing to work to fund charity

[Heinz]

I live in the Washington DC area and there is a wonderful school the That provides fee tuion and also that provides a wonderful education for the most at-risk children.  I love the mission of the school and the accomplishments.  I want to help them and am struggling with how to align that with my personal goals.  I can continue to work at a job that pays $750k annually and sponsor several students or stop working and volunteer. I have never liked my career vocation (In IT, it is called work after all...) but also could continue to do the job to help children that have no chance otherwise.  Very conflicted, as I believe we should help others but after 35 years of work am very burned out. 

Has anyone faced a similar challenge. Thoughts on how to decide?  I do not need the income from the job and am 50 years old. 

[skeptic]

This is an amazing question. I have wrestled with thoughts like this as well.

(does your IT job really pay 750k annually or is that a typo?)

This question seems a subset of "How much time/money/effort should we spend helping others, and how much on making ourselves happy?" There is obviously no right answer, and it's complicated by the fact that helping others can bring you joy as well... to a point.

In my own life, I do make a priority of helping others (in a community-wide sense, not just helping out friends/family) but I do it in the ways that align with my own interests and how I want to spend my time, not necessarily the most impactful.

I don't personally think it's a good idea to become a martyr... to essentially negate yourself in order to give to others. Ultimately you are trying to bring happiness to others (I assume), in the form of reaching their human potential through education. But if you rob yourself of happiness in the process, you are causing harm while doing good.

Obviously some level of sacrifice for others is worthwhile and noble... but where you draw the line is up to you. To me, working a job I seriously dislike and am burned out from in order to give money to the needy is more than I am willing to do. There are so many other ways to give back and to do good in the world. You mentioned one -- volunteering at the school -- and there are countless others.

Your story resonated with me because I was teaching after-school programs at a school for at-risk youth in Washington DC and I met their IT contractor, who wasn't volunteering but who gave them very low rates and worked extra unpaid hours because he believed in the mission, and that connection changed my life. Working together with that IT guy led to me being able to greatly expand the program and help a lot of young people.

I know you will find what works best for you. If it were me, I would quit that job tomorrow and explore ways to help those kids that don't involve being burned out at a job you don't like.

[seattlecyclone]

At your earning level, you will almost certainly be more helpful by working your job and donating the salary than you would be as a volunteer. There's only one of you as a volunteer, while $750k can pay quite a few teachers.

That said, if you really can't stand your job anymore I don't think you need to feel obligated to do it indefinitely just because the money could do a bunch of good in the world. Try to find some sort of balance. Any chance you could negotiate a part-time arrangement at your job and see how that goes? Perhaps a bit of extra free time would help you feel some joy in it and also give you time to volunteer.

[Suzanne]

Hey Heinz,
Good work that you poses social responsibility.
I do some charity organised by my mates through community program.

[Heinz]

A little more color (and the all-in job pay is $750k for base salary, stock and bonus). 
1). I am 51
2). Oldest child senior in high school; youngest in middle school.  Have money set aside for each for college, graduate school.
3). Wife wants to keep working until youngest child is out of college (we are same age); she makes the same amount as me and has a pension that continues to accrue benefits.  Full retirement is 8 years for her for pension purposes. 
4). She is okay if I stop working, but we both worry about what I would do with free time.  I have worked since I was 15, and know no other lifestyle. 
5). We sponsor two children to this school now, cost is about $20k/year each.  We will continue to pay for these children to complete their education regardless of my decision. 
6). I would like to help the school more hands-on, but those IT days for me are far in the rear view mirror...
Thank you all. 

[Chuck Ditallin]

Kudos for your generosity.

I would be retired so quickly that you wouldn't see me for dust (I too am burned out, so this is my plan), but...

every $500k invested in a charitable endowment of some sort would fund a child for $20k a year in perpetuity. Is this an option you could investigate? Would it add more meaning to your continuing work?

[MrThatsDifferent]

I’m confused as to how this is a dilemma? You’re obviously beyond wealthy if you and the wife make $1.5m annually. Retire yesterday if you’re over work. You could still volunteer and donate some of your wife’s money or some of your dividends as long as your own needs are covered and I’m not sure how they’re not?  If you’re really struggling with this, you could have a final year charity mission. Donate your entire salary for 1 year and then also participate in a series of fundraisers for the school for that one year and try to set a goal of matching your salary donation. Get your friends involved, tell them you’re on a quest to raise $1m for the school in a year. I don’t dude, you’re super well off, you can do anything.

[ixtap]

Have you looked into setting up an endowment?

[Sibley]

I'd say set up an endowment, fund it sufficiently to provide sponsorship for however many students you deem appropriate, then retire and do other stuff.

What do to with your time? Take over household work, organization - cleaning, cooking, yard work, setting up/managing appts, etc. (All the stuff that women typically do that is so easily overlooked until it's not being done.) Throw in some volunteer work, time being a dad, and I'm guessing that you'll be busier than ever.

[2Birds1Stone]

@sol , am I going crazy or you do have similar intentions?

[Heinz]

I appreciate the thoughts on the endowment; i think that is a great idea.  It will take some more time in the work force, but once you have enough to retire it sure changes your outlook.  thank you all. 

[sol]

@sol , am I going crazy or you do have similar intentions?

My means are more modest, but yes I'm working past my retirement date for the purpose of funding charitable donations.  One previous discussion of this topic is here:  https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/'one-more-year'-strikes-the-rich-the-hardest/