Hannah Miller’s Generous Life Philosophy
Hannah Miller firmly believes that a generous life is a fulfilling one. In alignment with this principle, she and her husband have committed to donating 10% of their income to charitable causes—a practice they embraced even during the early stages of their careers when their earnings were modest.
At 45 years old, Hannah, an ex-assistant headteacher from Birmingham who has transitioned to running her own coaching business, attributes her philanthropic spirit to her Christian faith. She has actively encouraged her three sons to adopt the same values of generosity and compassion. Over the past decade, her business has contributed a remarkable £85,000, representing 10% of all its sales, to various organizations and causes.
Charitable Contributions in the UK
This week, research from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) revealed that the UK public donated an estimated £13.9 billion to charitable causes in 2023. However, the report also indicated a significant “untapped potential” in charitable giving. It suggested that if the UK’s 537,000 millionaires were to donate just 1% of their wealth, the charity sector could benefit by an additional £12 billion.
Hannah acknowledges that while it may be challenging for some individuals to part with their money, she has always considered charitable giving as “non-negotiable.” She states, “We’ve always viewed it as an essential part of our lives, similar to how I’ve never contemplated not paying my council tax.”
A Commitment to Giving
Married for 25 years to her husband Stan, who currently works as a charity director, Hannah and Stan made the decision to set aside a portion of their income for charity right from the beginning of their relationship. Reflecting on their early years, she recalls that their family income was likely around £15,000, which would be considerably less today when adjusted for inflation, all while renting their own home. Despite these financial constraints, they remained steadfast in their commitment to their 10% rule.
“I’ve never felt pressured; it’s simply a principle that we have always adhered to,” she explains. When it comes to the charities they support, Hannah mentions that, in addition to their local church, they contribute to a diverse array of causes.
- “We have acquaintances involved in various charitable initiatives, and we make a point to support their work,” she shares.
- “We are particularly passionate about addressing social inequality and are keenly involved with a charity called Urban Devotion in Birmingham.”
Challenges in Philanthropy
Hannah candidly admits that there have been periods when maintaining her commitment to giving has been challenging, especially during her transition from teaching to establishing her coaching company, Sidekick. “There were definitely moments of difficulty. Leaving my teaching job was a significant risk, but luckily, my husband is comfortable with taking such risks,” she adds.
She humorously reflects, “I have joked about how we could have done this or that if we weren’t giving away money, but I’ve never seriously considered the idea of keeping it for ourselves.” She acknowledges that her charitable contributions could have provided her with more resources for her business, yet she remains dedicated to her principles.
Public Charity Trends in the UK
Polling data from YouGov indicates that a majority of Brits do engage in charitable giving regularly. The recent survey found that while 36% of respondents had not donated to any charities in the past three months, and 6% were unsure, the remainder had contributed to at least one cause. Notably, 3% of those surveyed reported donating to six or more charities.
