I prefer the phrase philanthropy to angel investing. As I understand it philanthropy is using your own hard earned money for lost causes of one's own choosing.

I prefer the phrase philanthropy to angel investing. As I understand it philanthropy is using your own hard earned money for lost causes of one's own choosing. This is different to fundraising or giving money to charity. With a modest philanthropy budget you can change lives and be able to support others achieve their dreams. Everything can be on an individual basis with no formal framework. For instance, what happens if you pay someone's way so they can finish their degree? What is the potential return? Or, more radically, what happens if you find a homeless person a place to live? Do they get a job and return to society? These things can be found out with radical personal philanthropy. I would say there is good value in this if you do want to learn about society and the human condition. I also think that financial and time losses are an investment. This type of work where you really do invest in individuals should help anyone angel investing to have the chops to do it well.