In recent years I found myself feeling increasingly powerless to make appreciable change. It was disheartening. After a great deal of useless bluster and bloviating I decided to focus my financial and personal efforts locally. I began to support 501(c)(3)s focused in Bucks County, volunteering at food banks and shelters, supporting and helping individual families with rides and rental assistance.

Yes, I was helping others but its positive impact on me was immeasurable.

This year I decided to double down by establishing a charitable fund at Fidelity. Uncreatively named "The Gallagher Giving Fund," this "DAF" allows me to continue my financial support of smaller charitable initiatives near and dear to me. Many of you have graciously assisted with my fundraising efforts in the past but the pesky IRS precludes me from taking donations from individual contributors.

To be clear, I'm not talking Mackenzie Scott and Warren Buffet level contributions. I'm talking small, easily repeatable donations.

Since I can't solicit donations through my DAF I decided to establish the "Friends of Gallagher Giving" site. On it are brief descriptions of the charities I currently support along with a link to their website. I would be humbled if you donated to these causes. Any tax deduction goes directly to you.

And to that end, I will match every donation at 50 cents on the dollar — up to $500 from me per year. Give more if you can — the charity benefits either way.

My goal with this site is modest. I want to supplement my annual giving goals, which are $20–25,000 annually. The more I can inspire through "Friends of Gallagher Giving," the greater the impact.