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Inspire Additional Donations

Your regular and enthusiastic contributions are contagious and can inspire the people around you to also make a difference.

As you lead by example, you motivate your family members, friends and co-workers to support charities that matter to them. In turn, their donations motivate others to give. To make an even bigger impact and raise more awareness, you can adopt UMFS as a family, neighborhood or workplace.

Cultivate Generous Kids

Children who see their parents donate to charity are more likely to be generous themselves.

Encourage your children to host a bake sale, lemonade stand, or another fundraiser to raise money, or prompt them to donate a portion of their allowance. You'll raise generous children as you commit to making annual charitable donations.

Feel Wealthier

When you have enough money to donate to charity, it may help you feel wealthier, reports Forbes.

Your contributions may do more than just create a feeling of wealth. Some experts suggest that you're more likely to stick to a budget and manage your personal finances more effectively when you commit to regular charitable donations. The result could actually be greater financial wealth.

A Great Addition to Volunteering

Volunteering your time to UMFS provides numerous benefits to both you and the agency, but your financial donations also matter. Money equips us to fund our operations and fulfill our mission.

Become More Thankful

Giving can boost your gratitude, which enhances your health, happiness, and optimism. Gratitude can also relieve stress and strengthen friendships.

Improve Your Health

The more you donate, the less stress you feel, according to a study done by the Queensland University of Technology. Generosity can also lower your blood pressure.

Research conducted by the University of Oregon also found that donating activates the pleasure center in your brain. Voluntary donations are especially pleasurable and improve your happiness, joy, and contentment.

Double Your Impact

Many employers match employees' charitable donations, or make monetary donations in honor of their employee's volunteer hours.

Take advantage of this perk to double your gift and double your impact. As a bonus, charitable matching programs enhance morale and job satisfaction. Your dollars will go further and help more people.

Receive a Tax Deduction

You may earn a tax deduction and reduce your tax burden when you contribute to a qualified charitable organization like UMFS.

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Your regular and enthusiastic contributions are contagious and can inspire the people around you to also make a difference. As you lead by example, you motivate your family members, friends and co-workers to support charities that matter to them. In turn, their donations motivate others to give.

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Something I've found to be shockingly common is that uncertainty around how much we should give to charity can often prevent people from giving anything at all.

Yet if you search the internet for advice, you'll mostly find claims that there's "no right answer" and that it's a "deeply personal decision." While these answers are largely true, they are not very helpful. They don't actually provide any actionable advice, any directions whatsoever for what we should do.

Instead of dodging the question or trying to divine a single prescriptive answer from the fabric of the universe, we are going to look at a range of standards that you could apply to your life, and recommend some approaches that might work for you.

The extremes of giving

To start with, let's look at the extremes of giving.

Extreme 1: Nothing

There are some people who believe that the right amount to give is nothing, ever. They might believe that charity doesn't help people, that it's not their responsibility, or they're not excited by the incredible opportunity most of us have to use our money to help others. If that's you, I'm not going to dissuade you here (but we recommend that you check out our myths about charity page).

Others believe that they should give nothing, yet. This might be suitable for you if:

Your material circumstances are very dire.

You are a patient philanthropist who is putting away money now in order to give to charity later (and have taken measures to make sure you'll actually follow through).

You could have a greater positive impact by investing in yourself (perhaps through education, or accruing enough savings that you can pivot into a more impactful career without significant financial risk).

Extreme 2: Everything humanly possible

The other far extreme of giving is to give everything humanly possible right up until your circumstances are equal to those whose welfare you are concerned about.

One of the most powerful moral arguments for charitable giving comes from the renowned philosopher Peter Singer in his drowning child thought experiment.

According to Singer, given that there are millions of people around the world in need, engaging in frivolous consumption instead of donating to charity is quite like walking past a drowning child and not saving them for fear of damaging a fine suit.

The trouble with this thought experiment is that, taken to its extreme logical conclusion, it becomes very morally demanding. Not only are we morally required to give something to help others, but we should give all we possibly can.

Price would seek out the homeless and give them anything they asked for, from his money to the clothes off his back. If they needed a place to sleep, he hosted them at his place indefinitely. Eventually he had given away so much that he became homeless and as poor as those he was helping. This, very unfortunately, eventually led to his suicide.

His altruism is in many ways admirable, but it's clearly not a healthy path to follow, and is ultimately going to be self-defeating (leading to less good for everyone involved, not more).

Finding a good standard for giving

So, when we look down the barrel of these two extremes and see that neither of them are right for us, this begs the question: "What is the right amount for us to give to charity?"

Let's look at some standard approaches to giving.

Give what you don't need

In 2009, Toby felt that he had a true moral obligation to give what he didn't need. He knew that a significant portion of his income could be so much more valuable to others than it would be to himself.

To put this into practice, he set himself a living allowance and then gave everything that he earned above that level away. He calls this the Further Pledge.

Toby later founded the Giving What We Can community, and after more than a decade, he is still giving everything above his inflation-adjusted living allowance. Many others have since taken this Further Pledge, and even more people have modelled their giving on this 'living allowance' idea. Deciding what they need to live on sustainably, and giving away the rest.

Give generously

You might be more motivated to have a steady increase in your standard of living as your income rises, but still want to give a meaningful amount that is more generous than what most people give.

If you are earning above the average income in your country, it's likely that you can give more generously than an average person can give. If you were born in a high-income country, it is likely that your income is at least 10 times that of the average person and roughly 100 times that of someone living in extreme poverty.

Philosopher William MacAskill calls this the " 100x multiplier"in his book, Doing Good Better.

"Imagine a happy hour where you could either buy yourself a beer for five dollars or buy someone else a beer for five cents. If that were the case, we'd probably be pretty generous - next round's on me!"

This realisation has led many people to choose to be generous with their relative wealth - whether they see this as an obligation to share their luck, or as an incredible opportunity to make a difference.

The Giving What We Can Pledge also uses 10% as a benchmark number for giving generously.

Ten percent has a few perks as a giving standard:

It is low enough that it's accessible to those who have means.

It is high enough that it really feels meaningful to most people.

It is much more generous than what most people are otherwise giving.

It's not so high as to be off-putting or overly demanding.

And finally, 10% is very easy to calculate.

Many people would jump at the chance to take a job if it were more meaningful, even if it paid 10% less.

So if you're seeking to make a meaningful contribution (and you aren't under any financial strain), this is probably the right number for you.

Give at an average level

If you care about helping others but don't want to give more than average, you could aim to give what an average person gives.

Give what you won't miss

At the very least you could give what you wouldn't miss. This is the idea behind the Trial Pledge and the One for the World pledge, both of which encourage people to give at least 1% of their income. Similarly, The Life You Can Save pledge recommends a variable amount that's calibrated to have a "barely noticeable" effect on your standard of living.

Some other standards

We've covered some income-based giving standards. However, there are a few other approaches that you may take:

Wealth-based approaches such as the Giving Pledge where billionaires pledge to give away at least half of their wealth, and Zakat where Muslims donate 2.5% of their wealth each year.

Event-based approaches such as increasing your giving when you get a raise; donating your bonus, stimulus checks, or tax rebate; giving when you receive an inheritance (e.g., Generation Pledge); or giving from a liquidity event such as the sale of a business (e.g., Founders Pledge).

The 'fair share' approach where you give the amount that would lead to the best outcome if everyone in the world gave the same amount. The problem with this approach is that most people will not give their fair share, and it's incredibly difficult to calculate what your fair share would in fact be.

Earning to give where you seek out high-paying jobs so that you can give much more than ordinarily (e.g., working on Wall Street while donating 50% of your income).

Leaving a bequest where you give from your estate when you pass away.

Recommendations for giving to charity

Now that we've covered some of the most common standards, here's what I would personally recommend.

1. Give what you can

Unless you're financially insecure, I recommend that you start giving something.

Getting into the habit of giving will change who you are as a person. You will become 'someone who gives money to charity' and will start to experience the joy and satisfaction that you get when you know that you're helping others with your money.

Beyond giving something, I recommend that you pick a standard that makes it meaningful to you. Be bold, be ambitious, be generous!

You might want to start small and work your way up - each year - to your ideal target, sit with that for a while, and then challenge yourself.

My favourite example: one couple reported that they increase their giving by 1% of their income each year on their wedding anniversary.

2. Give effectively

It's not just how much you give, but also how effectively you give that matters. This is because the differences between charities and their impact can be astonishing.

A $1 donation to a highly effective charity is going to be worth tens, hundreds, or thousands of times more than the same donation to an average charity... and worth infinitely more than a donation to a charity that accidentally does harm.

Giving 10 times more effectively is much easier than giving 10 times more.

Combining these two approaches is ideal: if you give 10 times more and 10 times more effectively then you've increased your impact by 100 times! Impact multiplication is a really powerful force.

For more on this topic, I recommend that you check out Giving What We Can's effective giving recommendations.
Find the most effective charities
3. Give publicly

Another way to multiply your impact is to influence others through social proof. This is the well-established psychological phenomenon that people tend to do what they see others doing. Because as humans, we are incredibly social animals.

If everyone kept their giving private, most people would think that giving isn't normal. On the other hand, giving publicly can influence others to follow your behaviour.

By being public (but not boastful) about your giving decisions - for example by making a giving pledge - you can help create a social norm where people give more, and give more effectively.
Take a giving pledge
4. Give sustainably

Take the view of giving over your lifetime. Ask yourself what will be sustainable. Because you don't want to end up like George Price, and you don't want to give too much too soon if it causes you to burn out and stop giving.

Take the time to plan your giving. Think carefully about how much you want to give and how you are going to do it.

Some resources for giving sustainably:

5. Give regularly

Giving habitually means you are more likely to continue, less likely to skip donations, and you can budget your giving much better.

Regular giving also helps the recipient charity to operate more efficiently, since they will receive more predictable revenue, and also spend less on fundraising.

If you are a patient philanthropist and want to invest to give later, use a mechanism like a donor-advised fund to get the immediate tax benefit while preventing value drift and making sure that you'll live up to your values.

6. Give together

Finally, share the joy of giving with other people. This will not only help establish norms around giving, but it can help you make better decisions, and you will have people to share this meaningful part of your life with.

Involving your family with your giving is a great way of building a family culture of care, generosity, and critical thinking. Involving your friends and colleagues can be a great activity to bond over. You could try running a fundraiser, a giving circle, or a Giving Game.

If you want to discuss your donation decisions with others, you're very welcome to join the Giving What We Can community, or attend one of our public events.

Closing remarks

At the end of the day, charity is optional. No one is forcing you to give away your money, it is truly your choice... and that is what makes it so incredibly empowering.

We get to choose to make the world a better place. We each have an incredible opportunity to use our money to help others.

Not only does this make the world better, it enriches our own lives too.

So how much will you choose to give?

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How much money should we donate to charity?

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Something I've found to be shockingly common is that uncertainty around how much we should give to charity can often prevent people from giving anything at all. Yet if you search the internet for advice, you'll mostly find claims that there's "no right answer" and that it's a "deeply personal decision."

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Raise and Give Booklet - The A-Z of Fundraising | Staffs Union

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The A-Z of fundraising - ideas to get you started with fundraising as a student

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Fisher House is honored to be once again chosen as WalletHub's best veteran's charity to donate to.

Charitable giving increased by 4% in 2021 compared to 2020. Americans gave a staggering $484.85 billion total, 67% of which was from individual donors. Though generosity is always commendable, current donation increases are unfortunately unable to keep up with inflation. There's still plenty of time to give this year, though, and a significant portion of all charitable donations are usually made in the month of December.

There is no shortage of noble causes in need of support this year, especially considering the devastating impact of high inflation on many individuals' and organizations' finances. No one wants their money to go to waste, though, so it's fair to wonder which charities will make the best use of your donations.

To help you maximize your impact without jeopardizing your financial health, WalletHub compared more than 200 of the most prominent U.S. charities based on their financial performance, transparency and popularity. We also identified the best organization to donate to for each of the most popular causes.

Here are the best charities to donate to:
Best For...
Human Services Rotary Foundation of Rotary International 100

Animals Animal Welfare Institute 97

Veterans Fisher House Foundation 93

International Affairs World Resources Institute 98

Health Semper Fi & America's Fund 97

Education DonorsChoose.org 93

Disaster Relief All Hands and Hearts 97

Environmental Protection Sierra Club Foundation 90

Child-Abuse Prevention National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 85

Community Development Gary Sinise Foundation 95

Hunger World Central Kitchen 98

Homelessness National Alliance to End Homelessness 86

Religion-Related Samaritan's Purse 85

Social Advocacy Equal Justice Initiative 99

Diversity Hispanic Federation 96

Below, you can learn more about how to choose the best charity for your holiday donation as well as how to do the most good on a limited budget. You can also take a closer look at criteria we used to select 2023's top charities in the Methodology section that follows.

How To Choose A Charity

Find A Cause First: It's not about the charity but rather the work that it does. You should make a list of the causes you care about most before researching specific organizations involved in that area. This will help you avoid losing the forest for the trees, emphasizing the beneficiary over the conduit.

Ask For Recommendations: People trust reviews from friends and family above all else, so ask your social network for some charitable suggestions. You may even want to ask subject-matter experts for their thoughts. For example, your veterinarian could suggest a good animal-related charity, and an environmental scientist at your local university could suggest a climate-oriented organization. All of their experiences and viewpoints will undoubtedly help you make a better choice.

Do Your Research: It's always important to do your due diligence before spending money with a company, professional or nonprofit for the first time. Check your chosen charity's website, see how it's being covered in the press and look into its financials. In particular, check how much of the organization's funds are being used for its stated cause compared to marketing and administrator salaries.

Spread The Love: You don't have to pick just one charity. Donations are kind of like crowdfunding in the sense that a lot of people giving small amounts leads to relatively large sums at the end of the day. Don't try to solve one problem all by yourself - consider giving small amounts to numerous charities in order to help address the various issues that you care about.

5 Tips For A Successful Donation

You don't need to do much to make an impact on a worthy cause. But keeping the following pointers in mind will help you and your charity of choice make the most out of your good deed.

Have A Budget: It is indeed possible to be too generous. Donating more than you can afford will only hurt your finances, making it more difficult to give back in the future. That means overdoing it now could reduce your overall giving.
Consider your holiday gift-giving budget and your other financial obligations to determine how much you can comfortably afford to do without. It's fine if you can't give much. Every little bit helps, and something is always better than nothing when it comes to charity.

Decide On Itemized Deductions: Rationalizing a donation with the potential tax benefits doesn't make much sense if you aren't going to itemize your deductions. Therefore, make a decision about that now, and remove taxes from your thought process if you'll be taking the standard deduction. You can check out our Tax Tips for more insight into making these sorts of choices.

1. Consider Processing Fees: Making a donation by credit card is a great way to earn rewards while giving back. For example, you could earn $20 by making a $1,000 donation with a card offering 2% back, whether in the form of cash, points or miles.
Many organizations charge a processing fee for credit card donations, though. That can erode, or perhaps even eliminate, your earnings if it isn't tax-deductible, so make sure to check.

2. Earmark Funds For Something Specific: The more you donate, the more control you'll be able to exert over how the funds are used. If you want your donation to be used to improve the conditions of the cages in an animal shelter rather than administrators' salaries or marketing, for example, inquire with your organization of choice about the possibility of designating a donation for something specific. If they say it's not possible, take your donation elsewhere (or at least make clear that you're willing to).

3. Don't Forget About Goods & Services: You don't have to give money to make a difference. You can also donate clothing, food and even your time. A lot of people actually wonder whether it's better to donate time or money, and we have a handy calculator that can help you make that decision based on your personal situation.

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Fisher House is honored to be once again chosen as WalletHub's best veteran's charity to donate to. Charitable giving increased by 4% in 2021 compared to 2020. Americans gave a staggering $484.85 billion total, 67% of which was from individual donors. Though generosity is always commendable, current donation increases are unfortunately unable to keep up with inflation.

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Why We Feel A ‘Warm Glow’ When Donating To Charity

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Learn about wise giving, issues addressed by BBB Charity Standards, and how BBB Wise Giving Alliance completes evaluative reports on charities.

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Giving Is Better | A Little Arrow Story!

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In life, there are different things that are better for your health than others. Walking and movement make your brain happy and your body healthy. Eating fruits and veggies gives your insides the kick they need to run smoothly. Talking out your emotions helps you be kinder to yourself. Donating to charity helps you find happiness in your own life. The list could go on! But today, we're going to delve specifically into the health benefits you'll receive by donating to charity. From increased happiness to improved self-worth, when you donate, you'll find health in a variety of ways. Learn more below!

It's a Stress Reducer

There are a lot of things we turn to in life to reduce stress. Some people walk, some people eat, some people craft-it all depends on the person. One of the activities or acts that people have learned help reduce stress is simply by focusing on someone else for a while. People go volunteer to briefly focus their brain on something other than their own struggles. Afterward, there tends to be a renewed energy with which they can face these problems.

The same is with donating in general. This typically comes from the happiness of people who volunteer and make charitable contributions. Researchers at Johns Hopkins and the University of Tennessee even found that those who donated more had lower blood pressure than those who didn't. Here, we can find a direct physiological benefit to charitable giving!

Giving Activates the Reward Center in the Brain

How else does giving affect your body? The next area to examine is your brain. Just like how movement creates endorphins, giving triggers a similar effect. In fact, a study done by a University of Oregon professor found that when one makes a charitable donation, the brain response mimics the one activated by drugs and other stimuli. You'll notice a surge of dopamine and endorphins that seem quite "rewarding."

So, while we turn to some things because we think they provide happiness, giving actually provides happiness. When we spark this reward center in the brain often enough, whether it's by donating money, sending in clothing donations, or volunteering and helping the community, we see increased happiness.

It Improves Self-Esteem

Similarly, when you activate that reward center and reduce stress, you're bound to see some positives in other areas of your life as well. One of those benefits is that charitable giving improves your self-esteem. This is for a variety of reasons, one being that donating is a selfless act at its core. Focusing so fully on helping others in need can actually spur along a greater sense of personal satisfaction and growth, simply because it feels good to help others.

When you donate money to a charity in need or send in donations to support an organization, you're offering much-needed resources to a great cause. Helping others often helps yourself-that's what you feel when you donate.

Brings About a Positive Mood and Low Depression Rate

Speaking of being in a positive mood, the wonderful web of benefits you gain from donating also leads to lessened depression rates. With positive self-esteem comes a more optimistic mood. As the studies we've discussed have shown, donating has a positive impact on both the mind and the body. These effects (endorphins!) are like activities that people tend to associate with joy and happiness.

Think of the walking example we gave earlier. When you walk or workout, it stimulates the brain to create and secrete hormones that spur happiness and joy. That's the same sort of event that occurs when you give or donate. When you focus on making these sorts of activities a part of your daily or weekly schedule, then that can lead to an ongoing pattern of improved mental health. Therein lies the lower depression rates. Now, of course, giving isn't the only solution, but when partnered with other practices, conversations, and medical help, it can help lower depression rates.

Can Lead to a Longer Life Expectancy

To understand this health benefit you'll receive from donating to charity, we want you to think about the winter holidays. These times can come with a great deal of stress. You can learn all about the increase in stress, depression, and anxiety that skyrockets around the holidays. With that come several health issues, from headaches to insomnia, and more. Part of the reason many charitable organizations push for more donations during these times is that they know people need it. They know the communities they're helping are in greater need, but they also know about the power donating can have on the donor.

Giving is good for you no matter the season because it acts to de-stress you and it really doesn't require much effort from you. With one simple act of giving, you get a more relaxed holiday season. When you carry that thought through the rest of the year, you're bound to reduce those rates of headaches, insomnia, and high blood pressure. It helps lead to a healthier life for you and for those you helped by donating!

It Improves the Community

While this health benefit may not necessarily impact you, it sure does make an impact on the community. And that's something important to mention. You may feel urged to give to the world and to your community now more than ever. Whether it's from the pandemic, from the planet's climate, or from other societal events-whatever it is, donating makes an impact. Charitable giving doesn't just improve your health, but it gives other people and organizations a chance to help other people's health and well-being.

Your decision to donate to a particular organization may seem "small," but its effects are much more far-reaching than you can imagine. When you give blood, for example, those 20 minutes could be the make or break for someone in the hospital. These are the sort of things that happen even when you donate money to a chosen organization or donate your clothes to GreenDrop. Charitable acts foster a healthier, more cared-for world. If that's not enough of a reason to donate, we don't know what is!

Hopefully, you recognize how many wonderful health benefits there are from donating to charity. The next time you're looking for a place to donate, head to GreenDrop. We accept home goods and clothing donations in Delaware and other states across the East Coast. When you're looking for a way to boost your spirits and help those in need, look to GreenDrop.

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The Health Benefits You'll Receive by Donating to Charity

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In life, there are different things that are better for your health than others. Walking and movement make your brain happy and your body healthy. Eating fruits and veggies gives your insides the kick they need to run smoothly. Talking out your emotions helps you be kinder to yourself.

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9 Positive Effects of Donating Money to Charity

by Guest Blogger | 13 Jul 2015
By Jay Robertson
According to a report recently released by Atlas of Giving ¹, after a stellar year of charitable donations in 2014, the outlook for this year is less than robust. In fact, U.S.-based giving could decrease by as much as 3.2% for a variety of reasons-including rising interest rates, a possible stock market correction, and continuing decline in employment compensation. But just because certain economic factors may have an impact on giving, this doesn't mean that you should put off your own charitable efforts. You might be surprised to learn that, ultimately, it might be you who reaps some of the best rewards of your donation. Here are nine positive effects of giving to charity.

1. Experience More Pleasure
In research conducted by the National Institutes of Health ², participants who chose to donate a portion of $100 they were provided enjoyed activated pleasure centers in the brain. Although this experiment was controlled and scientific, it did show that donating money simply makes you feel better, which is something we can all benefit from.

2. Help Others in Need
We don't live in a perfect world, and there's never going to be a perfect time to give-but there are always people out there in need of help. Whether interest rates are rising, the economy is in the doldrums, or even if you're experiencing financial difficulties of your own, the reality is that when you donate your money, you help others who need it.

3. Get a Tax Deduction
If you give to an IRS-approved charity, you can write off donations on your tax return. Certain restrictions do apply, though. To learn more about them, along with whether or not a particular charity has IRS approval, check the IRS website or The Life You Can Save's fact sheet about tax deductibility. Donating your cash is a great way to reduce the amount of money you send off to Uncle Sam, and for a good cause, to boot.

4. Bring More Meaning to Your Life
When you donate money to charity, you create opportunities to meet new people who believe in the same causes that inspire you. That, and making a real impact on those causes, can infuse your everyday life with more meaning. If you've been stuck in a rut, whether personally or professionally, sometimes the simple act of donating cash can do the trick and reinvigorate your life.

5. Promote Generosity in Your Children
When your kids see you donating money, they're much more likely to adopt a giving mindset as they grow up. I write from personal experience. I've donated money to a variety of charities over the years and have always made sure to inform my eight-year-old son of my efforts. Last Christmas, when he and I were shopping at a mall, he spotted a kiosk for a charity and rather than spending some of his allotted money on Christmas gifts, he asked if we could sponsor a hungry child overseas. We signed up then and there. Do the same with your kids and you might see similar results.

6. Motivate Friends and Family
When you let your friends and family know of your charitable donations, they may find themselves more motivated to undertake their own efforts to give. It takes a village to address issues such as world poverty, scientific advancement, and early childhood education. Stoking passions in the folks around you is a very positive and tangible effect of your own giving.

7. Realize that Every Little Bit Helps
You don't need $10,000 to make a difference in someone's life. In developing countries, even just a few U.S. dollars could result in a week's worth of meals for a starving child, much-needed medical attention, and even improved schooling. Don't just think of your cash donation from an American economic perspective. Often that money can go a lot further elsewhere in the world.

8. Improve Personal Money Management
If you set a scheduled $100 donation each month for a particular charity, that can motivate you to be more attentive to your own finances in an effort to ensure you don't default or fall behind in your monthly donations. Anything that gets you to pay closer attention to your bank account is a good thing-especially when it helps those in need.

9. Give, If You Can't Volunteer
This might not necessarily be a positive effect of charitable giving, but if you're too busy to volunteer or otherwise donate your time, giving money is the perfect workaround. Never think that you can't improve someone's life or the world itself if your personal or professional schedule won't allow the time. Writing out a check is a simple way to show you're willing to help others in any way you can.

If you're not sure where to donate your cash, check out The Life You Can Save's list of recommended charities. With a focus on developing countries and those living in extreme poverty, The Life You Can Save recommends some of the best charities to send your money to in order to have the most impact. Plus, almost all of The Life You Can Save's recommended charities are eligible for personal tax deductions. Alternatively, you can make a donation directly to The Life You Can Save, which helps its efforts to improve the lives of those in need. Understanding the positive effects of donating money to charity is important-just make sure you have the right people in your corner as you get started.

Do you know of any other positive effects of donating money to charity?
Feel the Joy of Helping Now!

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9 Positive Effects of Donating Money to Charity - The Life You Can Save

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According to a report recently released by Atlas of Giving, after a stellar year of charitable donations in 2014, the outlook for this year is less than robust. In fact, U.S.-based giving could decrease by as much as 3.2% for a variety of reasons-including rising interest rates, a possible stock market correction, and continuing decline in employment compensation.

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1. Giving to charity makes you feel good

Donating to charity is a major mood-booster. The knowledge that you're helping others is hugely empowering and, in turn, can make you feel happier and more fulfilled. Research has identified a link between making a donation to charity and increased activity in the area of the brain that registers pleasure - proving that as the old adage goes, it really is far better to give than to receive.

CAF's latest UK Giving report found that 20% of people surveyed said that they gave to charity because doing so made them feel good. In our research, ' Why we give', published back in 2014, we asked 700 of our generous donors to tell us what motivates them to give regularly to charity; 42% cited the enjoyment they receive from giving as a key influence.

What type of giver are you?

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Five reasons why giving to charity so important and gratifying. We look at why it's important to donate for you, charities and friends and family members.

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What type of philanthropist are you?

Identifying the type of giver you are is often the first step in developing a more fulfilling and deeper relationship with your philanthropy. With that in mind, we've put together this short, fun quiz to help you recognise your philanthropic preferences.

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What Type of Philanthropist are You - CAF Survey

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Identifying the type of giver you are is often the first step in developing a more fulfilling and deeper relationship with your philanthropy. With that in mind, we've put together this short, fun quiz to help you recognise your philanthropic preferences.

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 Here's How Donating to Charity Is Good for Your Health - and the World

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When's the last time you did something for the good of someone else?

According to recent federal studies, almost a third of people volunteer through a charitable organization each year. Charitable giving also topped $410 billion in the year 2017, an increase of 5.2% over the year before.

If you've yet to count yourself among those statistics, it may be high time - you might be surprised by how many benefits doing so can bring.

Why you should consider donating or volunteering

Here are just a few of the benefits of donating your resources to helping those in need.

It makes you feel good.

While you may know this from personal experience, the emotional benefits of volunteering have been scientifically documented, too. Studies have shown that volunteering has positive effects on depression, life satisfaction and overall well-being. Psychological research has shown that giving brings us more joy than receiving - and better yet, that happiness persists longer, too.

It might even be physically good for you.

Stress can have devastating effects on physical health, which means that serene glow you feel after helping others is more than mere brain candy: It may even help you enjoy better physical health. Case in point: One Carnegie Mellon study showed that older Americans (aged 51 to 91) who volunteered at least 200 hours per year were 40% less likely to develop hypertension.

If your volunteering efforts are physical in nature, like walking dogs at the local animal shelter or picking up trash, you can even add extra exercise to the list of personal benefits.

You can make new friends - or even network.

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people. Whether you live in an area known for being charitable or you're trying to ramp up charitable giving in your own community, connecting with people who have a shared love for a cause can foster connections both personal and professional.

Charitable donations are tax-deductible.

So long as you itemize your taxes, qualified charitable donations are deductible, which could lead to a nice break come April. And hey, while your main motivation might be altruistic, it never hurts to get a little kickback.

It's a way to give back to your community.

When you volunteer your time or donate your money to reputable organizations, you're making a real difference in the world. You might be helping to clean up your neighborhood or putting food in the bellies of hungry locals, all of which lead to creating a better place for you and your loved ones to live.

5 ways to make your contributions count

Whether you're offering your time, your money or both, here are a few ways to get your feet wet in the wide world of charity.

1. Save money specifically for the purpose of donating.

If you want to donate to a cause but constantly find your pockets empty, make it a point to set aside money specifically for that purpose. Build charitable donating into your budget, just like you do retirement or rainy day savings, so you'll have the funds available next time an opportunity arises.

2. Find a way to volunteer that brings you joy - and makes the world a better place.

An ideal volunteering scenario makes you feel good while also making real change in your community. If your volunteering gig sounds like a chore, it might not be the right fit for you... and there are plenty of opportunities, so don't be afraid to shop around!

3. Think globally.

The world is a big place, and there are a lot of people who stand to benefit from your donation. While it's rewarding to keep your resources in your community, it also feels good and helps others when you donate to a cause further afield or contribute to an emergency fund after a natural disaster.

4. Consider both small and large organizations.

Wondering where your contribution goes the farthest? The answer seems to be "It depends." For example, large global organizations like the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army may have better wherewithal to disburse major aid after natural disasters, but the local soup kitchen might have more day-to-day need.

Even a neighbor's GoFundMe campaign may be a worthy cause, and the platform also hosts certified charity campaigns for qualified organizations and nonprofits. Keep in mind, however, that contributions to standard crowdsourcing campaigns are considered personal gifts by the IRS, and therefore may not be tax deductible.

5. Do your research.

Before you shell over your hard-earned cash, you want to ensure the organization you're donating to is legitimate. And while it's hard to go wrong with major, reputable options like the ASPCA, there are plenty of smaller charities that are still worth your time.

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Stress Can Have Effects on You Mentally and Physically: Here's How Donating to Charity Is Good for Your Health - and the World

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When's the last time you did something for the good of someone else? According to recent federal studies, almost a third of people volunteer through a charitable organization each year. Charitable giving also topped $410 billion in the year 2017, an increase of 5.2% over the year before.

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Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) - We Make Giving Count

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We exist to make giving go further, so together we can transform more lives and communities around the world

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5 Reasons Why You Should Donate to Charity 

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CanadaHelps - Donate to any charity in Canada

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When you choose to give, you may not realize that donating to charity will do more than just help your favourite cause, giving can also provide you with many personal benefits. Whether you choose to donate to charities supporting people living in poverty, advocating to protect the environment, helping animals in need, or addressing other global or local problems, charities need your help to continue their selfless initiatives, but giving can feel just as good as receiving!

Why do people donate to charity? Check out our list of reasons below:

1. There are financial benefits when you donate to charity.
Did you know that donating to charity can save you money come tax time? When you make a donation to a registered charity in Canada, you will receive a tax receipt for your donation. Your receipt can then be submitted with your annual tax return to receive a tax credit of up to 53 percent of your donation! Plus, you also save on capital gains tax when you donate securities directly. This ensures more dollars are going to helping others because you will be able to give more to your favourite charity. A big contribution could mean big savings on your taxes, and we think that's a pretty big reason why you should donate to charity!Interested in learning how much giving could save you? Use our tax calculator to see how much you can save when you give.

2. Teach kids the importance of giving.
Teaching children to care about others is an important life lesson. When children watch you give, they will grow up knowing that giving back is the right thing to do and follow in your footsteps. So, donating to charity also helps you be a good role model for your kids.Looking for ways to get kids involved in giving? Read our 20 ideas to get kids fundraising at home, school, and in your community.

3. Giving promotes feelings of happiness.
Helping others feels good. When you donate to a charity that is important to you, you not only help them continue their vital work, you're also improving your emotional wellbeing, a win-win situation!

4. Experience lifelong benefits when you donate your time.
If you are not in a position to contribute financially to charity, but are looking for other ways to give back, considering volunteering your time instead. You will meet new, like-minded people, learn new skills to add to your resume, or complete necessary community hours for school programs.You can also get involved in the community that supports your favourite cause. For example, if you attend a fundraising event for your favourite charity, you'll meet new, like minded people who care about the same cause.

5. Donating gives you the opportunity to show gratitude.Life is busy, and it can sometimes be easy to forget to show your gratitude for all that you've been given. There are thousands of Canadian charities and causes doing vital work across the country and around the world. When you are ready to give and are researching a charity to support, this can remind us of all that we have, and the act of donating to charity is a way to express our feelings gratitude. Inspire others to give by posting your kind action on social media to inspire others to give generously.

So, why donate to charity? Share why you give in the comments below, or let us know on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Ready to get giving? Search over 86,000 registered Canadian charities on CanadaHelps.org to find a cause that matters to you and give today. Or, browse these resources to learn about different ways you can give:

Want to share your insights and be featured on the Giving Life Blog?

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5 Reasons Why You Should Donate to Charity | CanadaHelps - Donate to any charity in Canada

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When you choose to give, you may not realize that donating to charity will do more than just help your favourite cause, giving can also provide you with many personal benefits.

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CanadaHelps - Donate to any charity in Canada

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Children are never too young to learn about the importance of giving back to those in need, and getting them interested in a cause that matters to them is a great first step! Not only does helping others feel great, when kids learn how much fun it can be to support their favourite cause, it will spark an interest in charitable giving that can stay with them for life.

Whether you're looking for team fundraising ideas, fundraising event ideas, or use online fundraising to get kids involved, we've got ideas for you! Launch a fantastic fundraiser, with these easy and quick fundraising ideas to get kids big and small to fundraise for a great cause.

Get kids giving with these unique fundraising ideas.

1. Have spare change? Host a change drive.
Spare change can make great change. Grab an empty jar and set a goal to fill it with spare change. Kids can ask their grandparents, neighbours, dance teacher, or others to contribute their spare change in support of a great cause. Want to up the ante? Ask local businesses to participate by starting their own change drive and watch how quickly it all adds up!

2. Guess for a great cause.
All you need are jelly beans, a jar, and a box to hold the guesses! Kids can buy a ticket for their chance to guess how many jellybeans are in the jar for $2 each, or $20 for 20 guesses. The child who guesses the correct number of jelly beans in the jar gets to win the jar and share the candy with their friends. Plus, the money collected will support a great cause. A perfect idea for the classroom or community groups!

3. Host a pizza party.
Whether it's at school or as part of a community group, arrange a pizza party and sell slices to students to raise funds for a great cause. A local pizza shop may even be willing to donate the pizza to show their support. It's a delicious way to give back!

4. Organize a themed walkathon.
Holding a walk-a-thon is one of the best fundraising ideas and it has immense fundraising potential. Get your kids having fun while giving back, and getting active by organizing a walk-a-thon. Plus, you can use a theme to get kids even more excited! Organize a Halloween or pajama walk-a-thon where kids can show off their costumes or comfy pajamas to their friends while walking the school halls or the neighbourhood park. Each child can ask for pledges from their family and friends to support a great cause.

5. Host a cupcake decorating contest.
Whip up a batch of cupcakes and have your kids invite their friends over for some decorating fun! The cupcakes can then be sold to friends and family who will vote for their favourite sweet treat and all money raised will be donated to a great cause. To reach an even wider audience to raise greater awareness for your chosen charity, take pictures of the decorated desserts and post them on social media to give friends and family far away a chance to judge the competition.

6. Haircuts for charity.
Have long locks ready to be chopped? Organize a hair cutting event for kids to get their long locks lopped or completely shaved off if their family and friends pledge to make a donation. Plus, with an online fundraising page, kids can collect donations easily, donations are sent straight to their selected charity, and supporters receive an instant tax receipt. Once the locks have been chopped, the haircut or shave can be recorded and posted online so everyone will get to see the results of their donation to a great cause!

7. Did someone say BINGO!?
Whether you organize a full day event, or an afternoon activity, kids can have fun while supporting a good cause! Charge a fee per bingo card, and award prizes like a fun snack, small toy, or even a one-day exemption on homework if you organize this at school. No student would be able to resist playing for that prize!

8. Organize a talent show!
Give kids a chance to showcase their talent while raising funds for charity. Whether it's in the school gym, your local community centre, or even your own backyard, kids can sing, dance, and tell jokes all for a good cause. Sell tickets to friends and family, and your kids will love the opportunity to put on a show and support a great cause.

9. Is it a bird? A plane? It's a fundraising superhero!
You don't need it to be Halloween to wear a fun costume. When you organize a Superhero Day, you'll teach kids that anyone can be a hero and make a difference. Students can dress up as their favourite superhero in exchange for a small donation. A great way to engage students, and a SUPER simple way to fundraise!

10. Host a dog wash.
Invite all the neighbourhood dogs over for a bath and a treat! Your kids and their friends can charge a fee per dog, and give them a bath while having fun with their furry friends. Plan for a warm sunny day, and put up posters and use social media to advertise. Everyone will have a PAWsitively great time at this fundraiser, even the dogs! Plus, you can make things event organizing even easier by launching an online fundraiser using CanadaHelps to send the funds directly to the charity of your choice.

11. Go on a scavenger hunt.
A great team fundraising idea is to get kids to team up and pay a fee to participate in a scavenger hunt in support of a great cause. Younger children can look for ordinary objects like an unsharpened pencil or a specific book, while older kids can be given puzzles or brain teasers to complete while they are on the hunt. A scavenger hunt can help kids develop problem solving skills, so everyone wins!

12. Get crafty and host a sale.
Whether it is beaded necklaces, ornaments, or painted rocks for the garden, homemade crafts are always a special touch for any outfit or living space. Kids can assemble crafts during school time or at home, and invite the community to attend the sale in the evening or on a weekend to ensure a big turnout. Your kids will feel good knowing that their hard work is benefiting a good cause.

13. When life gives you lemons, fundraise with a lemonade stand!
Sometimes a good old-fashioned lemonade stand is the easiest way to fundraise! Set up shop on the front lawn, and your kids and their friends can sell lemonade to passersby in the neighbourhood.

14. Host an un-BEE-lievable fundraiser.
Get kids excited about both learning and giving back! Host a spelling bee and charge admission for spectators, giving proceeds to the cause of your choice. Be sure to give the participants enough notice to practice their spelling to strengthen the competition. Remember, there is no "I" in team, and when we work together, we can fundraise even more for a cause we care about!

15. Lend a helping hand.
Do you have elderly neighbours who need help shoveling the driveway or raking leaves? How about getting your kids to help out their neighbours AND raise money for charity! Create flyers to hand out and be sure to mention that they are supporting a good cause. Kids can choose to donate all the proceeds or keep a small percentage as a reward, but either way everyone will benefit.

16. Share the love of reading.
Most people have bookshelves filled with books they've already read, so a used book sale is a great way to buy books and keep kids reading, at a low cost. Hold the sale in your local park or community centre, and have kids bring in their gently used books to donate to the sale. They can then purchase books they haven't yet read, with all proceeds going to charity!

17. Catch some Z's at school.
Imagine how much fun it would be to hang out with your friends, watch movies, and have a sleepover, all while at school!? A school sleepover is a unique fundraising idea that allows kids to bring their pillow and sleeping bag to spend the night on the gym floor making memories that will last all school year. A group of parent and teacher volunteers are essential for this idea, and students can be asked to give a small donation to attend. Plus, the evening could include a popcorn or bake sale table so kids can purchase their movie snacks, and a pancake breakfast can be held in the morning before all the parents coming to pick up their children. No one will want to miss out on this event, and your chosen charity will be the one who benefits the most.

18. Organize a neighbourhood cleanup.
Keeping our communities clean and vibrant starts with each one of us. A neighbourhood clean-up event is the perfect opportunity for kids to collect pledges that they will donate to their favourite charity. Both kids and community members can show they care about the environment and their neighbourhood while supporting a good cause.

19. Showcase Canada's diversity with a multicultural fair.
Canadians come from all different backgrounds, so what better way to fundraise than to share our cultural differences at an event? At school, church, or your local community centre, kids can bring in a dish that represents their cultural background which they can then sell and raise funds for a great cause. For entertainment, kids can gather to perform traditional dances, sing songs, or wear clothing that showcases their cultural diversity. Attendees will be thrilled to experience a myriad of cultures in support of a worthy charity!

20. Have fun with balloons! Organize a balloon raffle.
You'll need balloons, raffle tickets, and prizes, which can be donated from local businesses. Kids can purchase a balloon, pop it, and keep the raffle ticket found inside! Then organizers can draw a winning raffle ticket number, and the winner chooses their favourite prize! Children of all ages can participate, meaning even more tickets can be sold and more money donated to charity. A fun and easy way to give back!

Do you have another creative fundraising ideas for Kids? Comment below or share your unique fundraising ideas with CanadaHelps on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Plus, you can launch an online fundraiser in minutes on CanadaHelps, or learn more about fundraising for your favourite cause using these resources:

7 Great Reasons to Start a Fundraiser
Make Your Fundraiser a Success

Want to share your insights and be featured on the Giving Life Blog?

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20 Fundraising Ideas for Kids | CanadaHelps - Donate to any charity in Canada

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Children are never too young to learn about the importance of giving back to those in need, and getting them interested in a cause that matters to them is a great first step!

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When you think about donating money to charity, you probably come up with some undeniable benefits. For example, you're helping to change the world. However, there's also a long list of charitable donations' personal, mental, and emotional benefits. It can even lower stress and help you to be healthier. When you give to charity, you're not just helping others; you're helping yourself too!

What Happens When You Donate?

Let's say you want to make a difference in the world but aren't sure where to start. Someone suggests that you make a charitable donation, and you do some research to choose the perfect recipient. Finally, you're ready to donate money to charity-- but what happens after the donation?

Here are just a few things you can expect!

#1: More happiness

Charitable donations make you feel good. Sure, it can be satisfying to spend money on yourself-- but studies show that you get more happiness from spending money to help others. Helping a charity has been found to help alleviate depression, add to your life satisfaction, and generally contribute to your wellness and well-being. Studies have found that it makes you happier to give than it does to receive. And because it lowers stress, it can lower your risk of developing high blood pressure. It also gives you more ties to your community. Being more involved in the community can also help with depression and make you happier. IT may even contribute to a longer lifespan.

#2: Pure satisfaction

The great thing about charitable donations is that you know your money will help change the world. You get the satisfaction of knowing that you could be changing someone's life today. Donating activates your brain's reward center, making it extremely satisfying. Getting a surge of endorphins and dopamine can make you feel satisfied and happier. It will even improve self-esteem. Because you've done a selfless act by donating, you feel better about yourself. With stress lowered, you also begin to see more positives in life. For many, it makes them feel that they are undergoing positive growth

#3: Tax benefits

It's essential to do your research beforehand, but many charities are IRS-approved. This means that, in many cases, you can get a tax deduction on your charitable donation. You can deduct charitable donations when you do your taxes. This deducts that amount from your taxable income so that you will owe less in taxes. You can do this either as filing jointly or as an individual on your 1040. On Schedule A of this form, you have to itemize the year's deductions, including your charitable giving. There are limits to how much you can claim for charity donations, however. You can deduct up to 60% of your adjusted gross income each year. If you are in the 15% tax bracket, your donation of $100 will give you a tax savings of $15. You will get a receipt from the charity you donate to, which is used as your record when it's tax time. Keep those with your other tax records, and you'll be ready to deduct it.

#4: Setting a good example

Kids learn what they live--so when they see you donating, they're that much more likely to grow up with caring, sympathetic attitudes. The adults in your life might decide to donate, too, when they see you setting such a great example! We've all seen how children learn behaviors simply by watching their parents. Donating to charity seems to be one of these behaviors. One study showed that when parents donate, children are likely to donate as well. Talk to your children about charitable giving regularly. This familiarizes them with the practice and lets them see it in a positive light. They not only learn to donate, but they learn the spirit of generosity and empathy for others.

If you're looking to donate to a good cause, please consider helping build beds for kids in need by making a charitable donation to SHP. We help to build ad deliver much-needed beds to the kids who need them. And, we wouldn't be here without generous people like you.

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When you think about donating money to charity, you probably come up with some undeniable benefits. For example, you're helping to change the world. However, there's also a long list of charitable donations' personal, mental, and emotional benefits. It can even lower stress and help you to be healthier.

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The fact that charitable giving can help reduce your tax burden is well known, especially if you're in a high bracket. But the benefits of giving extend far beyond tax breaks.

Of course, giving can be a challenge - especially when money is tight. After all, your income could just as easily go toward a college savings fund for your kids, a much-needed vacation, or even a new pair of shoes. But whether you're interested in the tax benefits or have altruistic motives - or a little of both - you can end up getting back a lot more than you give when you donate valuable items, cold hard cash, or even your time to your favorite causes. In fact, the emotional, social, psychological, and financial benefits of charitable giving often outweigh the satisfaction of splurging on yourself or your family.

The Benefits of Giving Things Away

6. Reduce Rates of Stress
The improved happiness and health of people who volunteer and make charitable contributions is likely linked to reduced rates of stress, as well. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Tennessee found that charitable givers experience reduced rates of stress and lower blood pressure compared to those who do not give.

Participating in your company's giving campaigns can make you feel like a part of your corporate team. Employers who want to improve retention and team-building should offer company giving campaigns and volunteer opportunities for employees.

9. Increase Your Community Standing
Generous givers tend to have more influence with their pet projects than others do. For instance, one of the organizations I contract with is far more likely to have generous givers serve on the board than people who aren't financially invested in the cause. In turn, these board members are in a better position to influence the agency's decision-making because they have demonstrated their interest and investment time and time again. The more you give to an organization, the more likely you are to influence that organization's activities.

10. Reduce Your Tax Burden
Finally, and most famously, charitable contributions can reduce your tax burden at the end of the year. If you're itemizing your tax return, you can report the dollars you contributed to charity for a deduction in your taxable income. Even if you're short on cash, you can donate unwanted items to charity (such as clothing, furniture, and vehicles) and claim the value of these goods as a deduction.

For instance, if you make $70,000 annually and contribute $7,000 (or the equivalent in unwanted items) to charity, then your taxable income is reduced to $63,000 on an itemized return. This can add up to a substantial savings, especially if you're in one of the higher tax brackets.

Final Word

Interestingly, research has indicated that the people who spend the most time thinking about charitable giving are actually the least likely to give. Unlike impulsive spending, impulsively giving can bring wonderful benefits to your mind, body, and community.

If you're nervous about starting with cash donations, get your feet wet by giving away some items around your home that you don't want anymore, such as toys, clothes, or furniture. Then, when you're in a position to give financially, take that step - you're not only benefiting the well-being of those you give to, you're benefiting your own as well.

Have you experienced the benefits of charitable giving in your own life?

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Top 10 Benefits of Charitable Giving and Donations

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The fact that charitable giving can help reduce your tax burden is well known, especially if you're in a high bracket. But the benefits of giving extend far beyond tax breaks. Of course, giving can be a challenge - especially when money is tight.

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FineLine Solutions - Donor Acquisition, Donor Retention & Donor Stewardship

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Every year, hundreds of thousands of people donate their time and/or money to non-profit organizations. Why do they do it?

More importantly, why should you?

Here are five reasons to donate to charity:

1. To help others.

First and foremost, when you contribute to a cause you are making the world a better place. Whether you are donating your time, money or expertise, there are recipient(s) benefiting from it. People may go to school because of the scholarship you fund, children may feel supported by the shelter or food they receive, animals may be saved because of the organization you donate too, and society's carbon footprint may decrease as a result of your research and efforts. Ultimately, giving back shows kindness and those around you see that.

While sometimes there are questions about where money goes in the public sector, the fact is, everyone in it is trying to do something bigger than what one of us could do alone. The fact is this: when you donate to charity you are doing good in the world.

2. You feel good.

What does bettering the world lead to? Feeling good! The act of helping others, donating to charity, or volunteering your time, will give you an improved sense of wellbeing. The knowledge that you've sacrificed time and/or money in order to help others in need or create positive change in the world is a beautiful thing. Receiving notice of the good your money has done in a certain community, or a letter from your foster child, can truly warm your heart. Giving to charity can give you a sense of purpose in life, along with self worth and inner satisfaction.

3. You become informed.

When you are considering making a charitable donation, you will most likely want to research what cause you'd like to support, the organizations that can best achieve this, and the structure and mission of those organizations. As a result of this research, you become more educated about social injustices around the world. Furthermore, you'll be exposed to new perspectives and opinions on topics about which you were previously uninformed. This is important for a lot of reasons, such as gaining a greater understanding of the world and your own community. Exposure to various topics can also fuel your sense of purpose in life and contribute to solutions and a greater world.

4. You fuel your passion.

When you donate your time and money to a cause that is near and dear to your heart, you are giving yourself the opportunity to fuel your passion and spend time doing things you love. Do you love animals? By volunteering with an animal shelter you will feel needed, purposeful, and energized. Do you believe education is the best gift you can give? By sending money for girls to go to school, you are listening to your heart and, ultimately, fueling your passion.

5. You can reap social, physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.

By giving your time to a charity, you get the opportunity to build your social circles by working with like-minded people. You may also be able to do something physical, giving you the opportunity to become healthier and happier. And the mental and spiritual benefits from knowing your contributing to your favorite cause are through the roof!

And there's a bonus - donating is tax deductible!

Did you know when you donate to a charity the amount you give is tax deductible? Not just the money you give, but also any money spent on travel, parking, convention or event fees that are associated with the charity (as long as you are not being reimbursed by the non-profit organization for these expenses)!

Ultimately, giving back feels good and is good for you.

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in house donor services training programs

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FineLine gives non-profits a tangible way to grow their donor base, retain donor relationships for life, and, ultimately, to raise more money. Our donor engagement strategies are proven and deliver on your mission and business goals.

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During the holidays, opportunities abound to help kids understand why and how to help people in need, with food drives proliferating and countless organizations making pitches for end-of-year donations.

And there's scientific evidence that kids should be receptive to those messages: Research suggests that they have a deeply rooted instinct to share and to help others, from the time they're very young-one study even found that toddlers enjoy giving to others more than they like getting treats for themselves. Kids, it seems, have a strong, natural drive to be kind and generous.

Except for my daughter.

Or so it seemed last year, when my wife and I tried to involve her in our annual practice of selecting organizations to support with a charitable gift around the holidays. Our then-seven-year-old wasn't having it-not interested, end of story.

Clearly, there were two possible explanations: She was an exceptionally selfish human being, or I had failed as a parent. Probably both.

I knew that wasn't true, of course. My daughter had always amazed us with the care and compassion she'd extended to most everyone, from younger neighbors to classmates to characters in her favorite TV shows. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I must have been doing something wrong. How could this obviously caring kid seem so apathetic when it came time to put her (or our) money where her mouth is?

I know from my years working at the Greater Good Science Center that the key lies in nurturing her inner motivation for generosity-it has to be something she wants to do herself, not sees as a chore imposed on her by an outside force (like an anxious parent). Giving, in other words, has to feel good.

"I think helping our kids experience the happiness that comes from giving to others is probably one of the most valuable ways we can nurture generosity in them," says Lara Aknin, an assistant professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University in Canada (and the one who led the study suggesting that giving makes toddlers happier than getting). "It sets off this positive cycle: Giving makes people happy and happiness promotes giving."

So how can we make sure that giving feels good for kids and launches this "positive cycle" of happiness and generosity?

I turned to experts for guidance, determined for things to be different with my own kid this holiday season. While they stressed that research on this topic is far from complete, there are science-based strategies for nurturing kids' altruistic instincts around the holidays and all year round. Here are five lessons I took away from our conversations.

1. Be a role model-and explain why you do what you do

Research stretching back decades has found that kids are more likely to be kind and generous when they have at least one parent who models that behavior for them. But more recently, research by Mark Ottoni-Wilhelm of Indiana University has underscored that it's also important for parents to have conversations with their kids about generosity.

One study led by Ottoni-Wilhelm found that adolescents were 18 percent more likely to donate money to a charitable organization if their parents had made any donation of their own in the past year. But if a parent had made a donation and talked with their child about giving, that kid was 33 percent more likely to donate-an increase of 15 percentage points. Similarly, adolescents whose parent did volunteer work were 27 percent more likely to volunteer themselves-and 47 percent more likely if their parent also talked with them about generosity.

"I think we assume that actions speak louder than words," says Sara Konrath, an assistant professor of philanthropic studies at Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. "But in the case of this particular behavior, it seems like you need both together to effectively teach your children generosity."

The experts stress that those conversations can and should start early, well before adolescence. Jill Gordon, director of the Youth Philanthropy Initiative of Indiana (YPII), says that her organization has started to offer programs for children-and their caregivers-as young as three years old, educating them about the various ways they can help others and contribute to their communities. She believes it's almost never too early for parents to start having those conversations, whether around the dinner table or in the car.

"You can say, 'Your mom (or dad) and I support these organizations, and here's why," she suggests.

Especially in these early conversations, parents don't need to explicitly encourage their kids to donate time or money-just raising awareness about the parents' own actions is an important first step. Gordon has found that those conversations really start to "sink in" around the age of eight-my daughter's age, and also the youngest age some research looks at when examining whether kids give to charity. So perhaps my concerns last year might have been a bit premature.

2. Help them understand the need

For kids to feel compelled to help others, first they have to recognize that their help is actually needed.

Here parents can tap into kids' strong propensity for empathy-evident in the earliest stages of life-which enables them to pick up on the emotions and needs of others. Studies suggest that kids are more likely to help people in need when they try to see the world through their eyes or identify things they have in common. A personal, human connection to someone makes that person's needs feel more real, harder to ignore, and thus motivates us to alleviate his or her suffering.

"I think that's one of the most basic things that empathy can do: Alert us to the needs of others and make us motivated to fix them in whatever way possible," says Kiley Hamlin, a developmental psychologist at the University of British Columbia.

Rather than shying away from a person in need, parents can gently encourage their kids to think about that person's history and experiences.

Or even better, suggests Konrath, they can look for ways to interact with the people they're helping. Konrath's kids, ages seven and four, recently donated socks to a local homeless shelter. But even after taking that step, she thinks the idea of "homelessness" might remain an abstract concept for kids their age.

"But talking to actual people and getting to know them," she says, "changes them from a group of people that kids don't really understand to real people with names and stories and families that they can understand."

Jill Gordon has found that by the time children reach five or six years old, it's productive to start asking them questions about where they see needs in their community. "Maybe that means having an early conversation about homelessness and food hunger," she says. "There aren't a lot of supermarkets in this neighborhood-where do you think people get their food?"

By the time students reach fourth or fifth grade, Gordon says, they have the critical thinking and organizational skills to consider bigger actions that they could take to help address those needs, such as organizing fundraisers or service projects, and they can better understand which organizations in their community are meeting those needs.

3. Help them see the impact

A significant finding from studies of adults is that they'll derive greater happiness from their generosity-and thus be more motivated to give again-if they're able to see the impact it has on others.

Aknin told me she has seen the same thing play out in her research with kids. In her study of toddlers, she believes they seemed to enjoy giving a treat (Goldfish crackers) more than receiving one because they got to see the recipient of their generosity-a monkey puppet-enjoy their gift right then and there. "They saw exactly how they were giving, and how it was beneficial," she says.

But the same usually can't be said for monetary donations. In fact, when kids are younger-roughly until the age of five, according to Hamlin-the whole concept of money is pretty hazy and abstract. So even when they are interested in helping other people, it's very hard for them to wrap their heads around the benefits of donating money to a cause.

That's why Aknin suggests involving younger kids-like her own two-year-old son-in forms of charity where they can make a more tangible connection between their actions and their positive impact. For instance, she believes taking them to the grocery store to pick out some nutritious items, then delivering those items to a food bank, will make a greater impression on them than "just setting aside a couple of dollars which, in theory, will go to help others but is not as tangible or concrete."

As kids get older, perhaps starting around the age of six, Aknin and Hamlin both suggested engaging them in altruistic acts where they can see the impact of their work up close-like by volunteering at a soup kitchen or nursing home, or by helping to clean up a local park-especially if it involves forming strong social connections with the people they help or with fellow volunteers.

And when kids are old enough to grasp the concept of money, there are ways parents can help them appreciate the impact of charitable donations. After Sara Konrath made a donation recently to her local homeless shelter, she showed her seven-year-old daughter the letter of thanks that she received from the shelter, which included stories of people it was serving.

"I told her, 'That organization needs money in order to run, and we're sharing our money with them so they can help these people,'" she says. "She really got it. And hopefully one day she'll remember that and want to make her own contribution."

4. Make it part of who they are

For Konrath's daughter, making her own contribution might be a key to building a lasting habit of generosity: Recent research suggests that when people give away something that has greater personal meaning or significance to themselves, they actually feel more committed to the cause they're supporting and are more likely to keep supporting that cause down the line.

This resonates with Jill Gordon's approach at YPII, where they encourage youth to think about philanthropy not only as volunteering their time or donating their money but also as a way to use their personal talents for the greater good.

"Giving and serving, being philanthropic-it doesn't need to be a separate part of your life," she says. "It can be part of your identity, part of the activities you're already passionate about. If you're into the arts, let's find a way that you can use those talents. If you're into sports, maybe you can organize a drive to give away sports equipment."

The more philanthropy is integrated into what a child is interested in or passionate about, she finds, "the more it tends to stick."

And, perhaps surprisingly, philanthropy might be more "sticky" if it involves personal sacrifice, according to Lara Aknin. Her research found that kids looked happier when giving away their own Goldfish than when they could take Goldfish from another pot and give those away instead. "I think this suggests that not only is giving rewarding to kids, but also that giving might be especially rewarding when it involves some sense of sacrifice," she says.

So although it makes sense for parents to want to facilitate their kids' generosity by making donations on their behalf, it might be more effective in the long run for kids to have some skin in the game.

With that in mind, my wife and I decided not to simply involve our daughter in our end-of-year donations this year. Instead, we divided her weekly allowance into three pots-for her to Spend, Save, and Share-and at the end of the year, she can decide how she wants to donate her own personal Share amount. Which brings me to the next lesson...

5. Give them choice

Though there have been some well-intentioned efforts to involve kids in philanthropy through mandatory service-learning programs, evidence suggests those efforts might backfire.

Decades of research has found that when people are forced to do something kind for others, or even subtly coerced to do it through an external reward, they'll see themselves as less altruistic and thus feel less motivated to help others in the long run.

Instead, studies by Netta Weinstein and Richard Ryan, among others, have found that people feel happier after performing kind, helpful-or "prosocial"-acts only when those acts are voluntary and self-directed; when they feel pressured to help, they feel worse.

That's why Jill Gordon stresses the importance of presenting options to kids and giving them choice. "If you're not involving kids in that conversation, they feel like it's being forced on them," she says. "It feels like homework."

Gordon and others say it's important to keep in mind that there are different forms of giving: volunteering one's time, donating money or goods, lending one's talents to a cause. Not only are some more appropriate for different ages, but some are also more appropriate for different kids. Giving kids the freedom to choose what feels like the best fit for them will increase the odds that they'll feel good about their generosity and stick with it.

"Giving givers choice-encouraging them to give but allowing them to choose what they give to-can make a big difference in the well-being of the giver afterwards," says Hamlin. "And we want kids to grow up to be prosocial adults who will continue to give even after we're not around to make them."

That's why, this year, my wife and I resolved to play it cool-no guilt, no coercion.

But one night over dinner a few weeks ago, I casually brought up that we were planning to support a few organizations that we care about-and my daughter instantly chimed in with how she wanted to donate the money from her Share pot: "An orphanage or an animal shelter!" (Her cousins recently adopted a dog from an animal shelter; I'm still not sure where the orphanage idea came from.)

But of course, we want her burst of generosity to come more than a once a year. Our goal is for these activities around the holidays to help build a lasting habit of generosity-a habit that doesn't only bring her happiness but also teaches a deeper lesson about her place in the world. It's a lesson that most parents want to teach their kids, and one that Sara Konrath eloquently summed up toward the end of our conversation.

"We're all interconnected with each other," she said. "And giving is just a reminder of our human connection to others: Not only are the recipients not alone, because we're thinking of them, but we are not alone."

Greater Good wants to know: Do you think this article will influence your opinions or behavior?

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During the holidays, opportunities abound to help kids understand why and how to help people in need, with food drives proliferating and countless organizations making pitches for end-of-year donations.

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Giving to charity is important for many people. It makes you feel good and it makes others feel good. When one helps others through the act of giving to charity it becomes an act of kindness that goes around in circles and comes back tenfold.

When it comes to kids giving to charity, one has to handle it a little differently. The younger your kids are the less likely they are to comprehend what giving to charity really means.

It is still important you introduce the concept of donating, as it helps teach very important life skills.

Kids should give to charity because it teaches them empathy. When kids give to a charitable cause they are helping others who are less fortunate. The act of giving to others who are less fortunate helps kids to realize that the things they have and take for granted are not a given for everyone in this world. Empathy is a skill that all kids should learn so that they can grow up to be open minded adults.

When kids give to charity they start to learn the feeling of being grateful. They become grateful for what they have and grateful for others who are thankful for their act of giving. Whether your kids are thinking about giving to charity on their own or getting a nudge from you, they will ultimately learn the art of being grateful.

Kids who give to charity from a young age forward will often continue to give back to charity as adults. When you become the parent who engages this pursuit of having kids give to charity, you are setting the world up for more positive characters to enter the adult world. The world can use more kindness and people who enjoy giving to others.

How can Kids Give to Charity

When your kids are young the charity giving will really come out of the parents pocket more than the kids, but that's okay. You are still teaching valuable skills as shared above. Set a budget of how much you will give to each child to give to charity, perhaps have them do chores for money and devote a portion of those funds earned to go towards charity.

Kids can also donate time as part of giving to charity. Often times high school students need a specific number of volunteer hours in order to graduate. Teaching them to be involved in volunteering their time to charity events now will help them in the high school years to realize this is simply part of being a good human being and graduation high school.

Research local community events that support various charity causes and have the time become a family event. Consider heading to the local charity event with your kids and take part in the event together. Once your kids are old enough to do this on their own it will have become a habit that this charity event becomes a part of their life.

While there are many benefits to giving to charity, the act of giving tends to slide out of many kids minds as they get older and involved in their own life. Start young and encourage your kids to give to charity any chance they can for it will truly make them a more positive person as an adult.
About the Author- Brandy Ellen Tanner is a Positive Lifestyle blogger who works from home while raising her 3 children. Learn more about Brandy at BrandyEllen.com and read her other parenting articles at ParentInfluence.com.

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Why Should Kids Give to Charity - Homey App for Families

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Giving to charity is important for many people. It makes you feel good and it makes others feel good. When one helps others through the act of giving to charity it becomes an act of kindness that goes around in circles and comes back tenfold.

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Charity Ratings | America's Most Independent, Assertive Charity Watchdog | CharityWatch

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Donate with confidence. Get detailed information about your favorite charities. CharityWatch is America's most independent, assertive charity watchdog.

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When we're young, we're often told by those raising us that we need to be sensible with our money.

According to a new study, however, this isn't the most important lesson we need to be teaching our kids.

The research suggests that parting with money through various forms of donation, gifts, and charity may be better for children than teaching them to budget.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When we're young, we're often told by our parents and those in positions of care that we need to be sensible with money.

While some may say you can only get a feel for money once you start really looking after it by yourself, you're usually taught to always have a little saved aside.

However, a study carried out at the University of Arizona may suggest that this isn't the most important financial lesson we should be imparting with our kids.

According to the study, published in the Journal of Family and Economic Issues, earning and saving money isn't as important as getting your kids involved with fundraising activities at as early an age as possible.

The research suggests that family socialization doesn't just influence our own generosity in terms of how much we donate; there also seems to be a correlation between this learned behavior and a child's personal well-being.

Through interviewing participants across three generations, researcher Ashley B. LeBaron explored how children learn to donate from their parents and how attitudes to such activities are passed down through generations.
Read more: It's possible to learn a new language while you sleep, according to a new study
Although the respondents weren't asked directly about any philanthropic activities, the majority of respondents identified this aspect as an important part of their upbringing and financial education.

"When you think about money and what kids learn about money from their parents, most of us wouldn't think about giving as one of the basic principles of finance," LeBaron said in a press release. "It was surprising but really cool, to see that giving was so prevalent."

The study participants described various motivations behind why they considered philanthropy to be an important part of raising their kids.

In addition to religious reasons, many parents also cited the desire to be helpful as a motivation, as well as wanting to give something back to society.

The study identified three particularly common themes with types of donation, the first and most popular being donations to religious or charitable organizations.

Many of the participants in the study also encouraged their children to donate directly to people in need.

Some of the interviewees explained that they went out of their way to get their children involved in these activities as part of an experimental learning experience, so they could understand the first-hand effects of charity.
Read more: These warning signs could mean your child is depressed, according to a child psychiatrist
That said, the study suggested that the most popular way of donating was within one's own family.

Making financial sacrifices for children, for example, in the form of travel or private music lessons, teaches them to place importance on less materialistic experiences as opposed to direct possession of money or other goods.

Generosity makes people happy

According to the researcher, learning to be willing to donate is important for several reasons.

There is the argument that children can learn the basics of business and saving: "If a certain percentage of your money goes toward giving, that's the start of a budget right there," said LeBaron.

The scientist also explained that philanthropic tendencies also helps people achieve personal happiness. "People who are generous tend to be happier and have healthier relationships, so this is shaping not only kids' finances but aspects of their health and well-being."

The study also showed that parents should demonstrate generosity towards their children too, in order to act as role models.

There are other things parents can do too, such as getting their kids involved in charitable causes in a more "hands-on" way.

LeBaron also suggested that people in educational roles should also be placing more emphasis on teaching generosity.

According to the researcher, the school should be a place where children can learn not just about budget planning but about philanthropy too.

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Teaching your child to give their money away may improve their personal well-being

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When we're young, we're often told by those raising us that we need to be sensible with our money. According to a new study, however, this isn't the most important lesson we need to be teaching our kids.

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The following article is by Kristi Muse, our staff writer. She is a freelance writer, blogger, police officer's wife, and stay at home mom of two. To read more about how she tries to live a balanced life visit her website at Moderate Muse.

Personal finance websites, investing companies, and money management gurus all highlight the benefits of teaching children early and often about how to manage their money. A common method for h elping children to understand money management is having them parcel out their money into four different accounts: Save, spend, donate, and invest. You can even buy your kids a partitioned piggy bank for just this purpose.

Most people agree that teaching about saving, investing, and spending are all crucial for a child to develop great money-management skills. Not everyone agrees about the importance of donating though. This is a shame, because donating money teaches so much more than just giving some money to others now and again. Here are five reasons you should strongly encourage your child to donate to charity.

1. Giving instills the valuable trait of empathy

Empathy is innate, but it is best when nurtured. The world would be a much better place if more people felt true empathy for those less fortunate than themselves and acted accordingly. Having children donate their money from a young age teaches them that even the smallest child can make a big difference in the lives of others. They will learn that you don't have to have experienced personal or physical tragedy to have compassion for others. Many professions, like doctors, nurses, and psychiatrists, require a strong sense of empathy. By nurturing this trait in your child from a young age, you may actually be helping them be successful in their future career.

2. Charity work produces grateful kids

By exposing your kids to different charities from an early age, they will learn that there are all kinds of people and life experiences in this world. They will begin to see and truly understand that there will always be someone less fortunate. Grasping this concept early will help your kids to grow up with a grateful attitude. Children who truly appreciate what they have will be far less likely to be swept under by consumerism debt in the future.

3. Donating encourages your child's passions

Have your child pick their own charity to donate to. If your kid loves to read, suggest that they donate their money or new books to Books for Africa. If they love the outdoors, suggest donating to the National Park Trust. Whatever your child is most passionate about, steer them towards a related charity. Children will develop a sense of pride in earning money to give to something they love. It will simultaneously encourage their passions while getting them involved in projects which could someday lead to their chosen profession. Kids who donate to animal charities may end up as veterinarians. Those who donate to wildlife conservation groups may end up as biologists. You never know what effect their charitable donations will have on their life.

4. Donating teaches basic math and money management skills

The simple act of deciding which percentage of their money to donate is a lifelong skill in money management. Learning how to separate their money into different accounts is a great way to teach about percentages, fractions, and decimals. Physically handling their money, doing the necessary math, and figuring out how much goes into each account is a skill that even some adults struggle with.

5. Philanthropy work is essential for college applications

Even if none of the above reasons could compel you to strongly encourage your child to get involved in donating to charity, eventually they will have to have some sort of charity work listed for their college applications. Whether it's hosting a toy drop off during the holidays, putting together a charity event, or simply donating their time and money to the local homeless shelter and food pantry, colleges want to see prospective students list philanthropy work of any kind. The longer your child has been involved with philanthropy work the better it will look on college applications. Kids who have been donating their time and money to charitable organizations from a young age will be excited to list that activity as one of their activities, and charity work won't be contrived when it's time to fill out those forms.

Donating to charity has so many benefits outside of the obvious. Along with nurturing their empathy and instilling money management skills, they will also learn integrity and social responsibility by giving away a portion of their money. Helping others and contributing to something outside of themselves will teach kids how to become honorable and respectable adults, and it will help give them a bigger sense of purpose. Learning from a young age to have concern for others could even help direct their careers in the future.
Do you encourage your child to donate to charity? If you do, what organizations do they like to give to?
Image credit: Flickr by HowardLake

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5 Reasons to Encourage your Child to Donate to Charity - Retire by 40

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The following article is by Kristi Muse, our staff writer. She is a freelance writer, blogger, police officer's wife, and stay at home mom of two. To read more about how she tries to live a balanced life visit her website at Moderate Muse.

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Does Giving Back Help Our Kids During the Holiday?

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Teaching Kids About Charity  Adventures in Learning  PBS Parents

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If you've decided that you want to financially support a cause that's close to your heart, the next step is finding a legitimate nonprofit that will use your funds to make a lasting impact. But sorting through dozens of nonprofits to verify their credibility might take hours. Doing good shouldn't be hard, which is why we've rounded up the 30 of the best charities to donate to. Whether you're looking for charities that help communities or charities doing environmental work-and everything in between-our list has a nonprofit for almost every cause.

These charities have been selected based on GoFundMe platform activity. Additionally, all charities on this list also have at least a 70% rating on Charity Navigator.

People who used crowdfunding to help charities

Thousands of people have used crowdfunding to support causes they're passionate about. Here are just a few examples of people who are making a real difference.

Ella is organizing a fundraising walk to raise money for the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy nonprofit that raises money to protect ecosystems internationally and in the US.

Ella, her friends, and interested community members plan to walk sunrise to sunset around her home of Westchester County, a suburb of New York City. On her last fundraising walk, the group trekked an impressive 27 miles. Ella has almost reached her $1000 fundraising goal, and any funds raised will go directly to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

In San Francisco, there are almost 5,200 unhoused people who live on city streets.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, organizer Chelsea Ann realized that these unhoused individuals also needed a way to safely shelter in place. In response, her team is raising money for the Coalition on Homelessness, a nonprofit that organizes homeless people to protect the rights of the homeless and fight for housing justice. The Coalition on Homelessness distributes tents to provide shelter for San Francisco residents who are unhoused. A $25 donation buys one tent. So far, the In This Tent Together team has raised over $12,500.

A group of men who have either lost their dad or never had a father figure present in their lives came together to create Dudes For Dads. Their organization aims to help younger boys navigate the process of losing a father figure. Donations to their fundraiser will go to Big Brother Big Sister of the National Capital Area which serves at-risk youth through mentorship in the VA, DC, and MD areas. Since creating their GoFundMe, they've raised over $10,000.

Raise money for your favorite cause with charity fundraising

Looking to help further? You can multiply your support for a charity you care about by starting a charity fundraiser. It's an easy way to make a difference.

If you're wondering why GoFundMe is among the top charity fundraising sites, here are just a few reasons:

Our simple crowdfunding platform means you can set up a fundraiser in just a few minutes.

If you create a certified charity fundraiser, we'll send all funds directly to your charity. There's no need to manage any of the funds yourself.

We make it easy to share your fundraiser with all your contacts through email and social media.

Discover charity fundraisers on GoFundMe for inspiration, or take a look at this list of our favorite charity blog posts:

Do good by giving back to a cause you care about

Not everyone has the funds to support their favorite charity. If charitable giving isn't in your budget, starting a fundraiser through GoFundMe can give you the opportunity to give back. Sign up to create your fundraiser today and start raising money for the best US charities.

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30 of the Best Charities to Donate to on GoFundMe (2023)

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From animal charities to charities that are pushing for racial equality, we've gathered the best charities to donate to on GoFundMe.

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Charity Ratings and Donor Resources | Charity Navigator

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Use Charity Navigator’s ratings and resources to find and support highly rated charities that align with your passions and values. Whether you’re looking to give toward international relief, the environment, animal welfare, or something else, we empower you to donate and volunteer with confidence.

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iPhone Screenshots

All your giving needs in one app. Use ChangeUp to donate to any charity [over 800,000 on the platform] and receive an instant tax-deductible report. Give as little as $1!

Users can also elect to round-up purchases to the next dollar and send the spare change to the charity of their choice, or give a set amount monthly. If you run a local charity, ChangeUp™ is an easy way to engage your members through the new, social tool of mobile giving.

==Features==

* Give any amount to any charity at any time. The charity you love is here.

* 100% of donations go to charity.

* Receive an instant report of your tax-deductible giving at any time.

* Share your donations and challenge your friends.

* Use the portfolio feature to give to different charities at once! Portfolio categories include subjects like Save the Planet and Animal Rights, which have collections of charities that each receive equal portions of your donation. Give once or give monthly!

* Explore the "Who's Giving" newsfeed and discover new causes.

* Micro-donations to the rescue: no donation is too small!

ChangeUp works with industry-leading partners in charitable giving, payments technology, and digital security to ensure that your information is safe and secure.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead

What's your change? Now is the time to invent the future.

Version 2.4.5

Thank you for using ChangeUp to help fight COVID-19!

* Make it easier to donate to charities that are fighting COVID-19 and the Coronavirus
* Updates to Portfolios to help fight COVID-19
* Fixes to make logging in easier

Easy way to positive impact

I have to admit I liked the premise behind the app even before I downloaded it. Any tool that makes it easier to support personal causes in a consistent way is super valuable. And I was very pleased to see how easy and intuitive the app is. You can discover charities or charity portfolios you want to support and then connect an account for the round up donations. Attractive interface. Once you set it up, it all runs on its own. Pretty slick.

So simple and easy

Personally I prefer donating money on my own terms... not when someone grabs me outside Trader Joe's... this app works great for that and I can easily give to some small organization as a large one. And I'm really looking forward to the report for taxes because I do a bad job of saving receipts and paperwork. Excited to see how this progresses...

This app has every charity!

Wow. This app is amazing. It seems like it has every charity out there. I can donate to my kids small private school in CA, and I even found my small private school I went to as a kid in central PA. Amazing!

Love the roundup feature too. I can set and forget and know that I'll be donating with every purchase. Great work!

The developer, Change Up, Inc., has not provided details about its privacy practices and handling of data to Apple. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy.

No Details Provided

The developer will be required to provide privacy details when they submit their next app update.

Information

Compatibility

iPhone

Requires iOS 9.0 or later.

iPod touch

Requires iOS 9.0 or later.

Mac

Requires macOS 11 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip.

Wallet

Get all of your passes, tickets, cards, and more in one place.

Family Sharing

With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app.

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‎All your giving needs in one app. Use ChangeUp to donate to any charity [over 800,000 on the platform] and receive an instant tax-deductible report. Give as little as $1! Users can also elect to round-up purchases to the next dollar and send the spare change to the charity of their choice, or give...

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Peter Singer explains how donating money to strangers can actually make you happier.

Singer is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics in the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University and Laureate Professor in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne.

In 2013 he founded The Life You Can Save along with Charlie Bresler. His most recent book is The Most Good You Can Do.

He teaches and lectures about the ways in which we can change the culture of giving in affluent cultures. Following is a transcript of the video.

Peter Singer: I'm Peter Singer. I'm the Ira W. DeCamp professor of bioethics at the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University.

There's very good evidence that if you start from a low base - you don't have very much money - getting more money will make you better off. Up to - in the United States - roughly $70,000, it's pretty clear that getting up to that level will make you happier with your life.

But once you get above around $70,000, this effect starts to drop off very dramatically. The marginal utility of any extra income starts to fall. And the line doesn't go quite flat, but it goes almost flat after that point.

Whereas, on the other hand, there's very good evidence that people who are generous, people who think of others, people who don't just think of themselves are significantly happier in their lives. So that's why I would argue that once you've got past that $70,000 level, giving some of what you have above that is going to actually make you better off not worse off.

There's lots of good research linking happiness and donating to charity at all sorts of different levels. For example, in one experiment people were asked to come in and they were given a modest amount of money. And they were randomly selected and some of them were told, "Go and spend this on yourself; buy something nice for yourself." And others were told, "Go and spend this on someone else; do something that's good for someone else."

And at the end of the day, they were asked to come back and they were asked to rate how well their day had gone. And there was a significant difference. And the people who were asked to the spend money on others and who did that reported much more positively about their day than the others did.

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How donating money can actually make you happier

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Peter Singer explains how donating money to strangers can actually make you happier. Singer is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics in the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University and Laureate Professor in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne.