A Generous Life: The Philanthropic Journey of Hannah Miller
Hannah Miller believes that living a generous life is a fulfilling one. Embracing this principle, she and her husband, Stan, have consistently donated 10% of their income to charitable causes, even during the early years of their careers when they were earning modest salaries. At 45, Hannah, a former assistant headteacher from Birmingham, now operates her own coaching business, which has significantly contributed to her charitable giving. She credits her Christian faith as the driving force behind her commitment to philanthropy and has instilled these values in her three sons.
Over the past decade, Hannah’s business has donated 10% of its total sales, amounting to an impressive £85,000, to various organizations. This week, research from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) revealed that the broader UK public contributed an estimated £13.9 billion to charitable causes in 2023. However, the report highlighted that there remains considerable untapped potential within the sector. If the UK’s 537,000 millionaires were to donate just 1% of their wealth, they could potentially enhance the charity sector by an additional £12 billion.
Hannah acknowledges that while parting with money can be challenging for many, she has always viewed her charitable contributions as non-negotiable. “We have always regarded it as an integral part of our lifestyle, much like paying council tax,” she explains. Married for 25 years, she and Stan decided to adhere to their 10% giving rule early in their relationship. At one point, their household income was around £15,000—a figure that would be higher today when adjusted for inflation—yet they remained steadfast in their commitment to charitable giving despite renting their home.
“I have never felt pressured; it’s simply a principle we’ve always upheld,” she reflects. In terms of the charities they support, Hannah mentions that alongside her local church, they contribute to a diverse array of causes. “We know several individuals involved in the charity sector, so we often support initiatives they are passionate about. Additionally, we care deeply about social inequality and are actively involved with a charity called Urban Devotion in Birmingham,” she elaborates.
Despite her unwavering commitment, there have been times when maintaining this practice has been challenging. For instance, when she transitioned from her teaching role to establish her coaching company, Sidekick, she faced significant uncertainties. “There were definitely moments of doubt. Leaving my teaching job felt risky, but my husband is quite comfortable with taking such risks,” she admits.
Hannah humorously recounts her feelings during these times: “I have jokingly thought about the things we could have done with the money we donate, but I have never seriously considered keeping it for ourselves. Yes, I could have allocated more resources to my business, but I choose to adhere to this principle.”
Polling data from YouGov suggests that a majority of the British public engages in charitable giving. While 36% reported not donating to any charities in the past three months and 6% were unsure, the remainder had contributed to at least one charity, with 3% having given to six or more.
