10 reasons to give to charity
Giving to charity is a great way for you to give back to causes important to you, help individuals in need, and spend your disposable income to drive positive change.
Charities rely on individual donations, and your contribution can make a significant difference in making the world a better place.
In 2023, individuals were the largest source of charitable giving in the US, according to the National Philanthropic Trust. They represented 67% of total giving, which adds up to a total of $374.40 billion.
Crowdfunding is one way individuals can demonstrate such philanthropy and support important causes, whether that’s fighting climate change or helping the lives of others.
Why should you give to charity?
Everyone approaches charitable donations differently, and your choices may be shaped by factors like your income, lifestyle, and overall financial situation.
But no matter how much you give, your charitable contributions can make a positive difference.
There are many reasons people support charitable causes. We’ve outlined some of the best reasons to donate.
1. Personal significance
More than three-fifths (61%) of people say personal, life-changing experiences sparked their giving, according to a survey by Charities Aid Foundation.
Many people do not realise the important and invaluable work charities can do to help people, unless they have personal experience or have witnessed a loved one receive support.
You may also want to give money to a charity if the cause is meaningful to you and if it’s something you have firsthand experience with. For example, if you’ve been affected by cancer, you may want to donate to a cancer research charity.
2. The feel-good factor
Carrying out selfless acts, such as volunteering to help those less fortunate or donating money, makes you feel good.
Research has revealed that giving has a positive impact on mental well-being. It can also give you a feeling of purpose and increase self-esteem as you help to connect with other people.
3. Personal values and ethics
Altruism and doing the right thing can also be personally important.
According to a survey by the Charities Aid Foundation, 96% of people cite personal values and their ‘own sense of morality and ethics’ as motivation for giving to charity.
4. To help those in need
You may not realise it, but your donation can go a very long way in helping those in need or causes important to you.
Even a small donation of $5 or $10 could go towards important research into fighting diseases, or could fund a care package for someone, or lead to vital improvements to your community.
By donating to charity, you’re having a direct impact on the important work they do, and you can be part of a working cause.
5. Because others are giving too
Seeing others donate to charity can also influence your own giving. This is especially true if you see someone you know is giving back.
A recent study has shown that donors are influenced by to donate (and increase charitable donations) by people in their social networks.
This shows why sharing fundraisers with your own networks can make a valuable difference in hitting your fundraising goals.
6. You believe your donation will make a difference
More than three-quarters of people (77%) believe they can make a difference by supporting causes.
People are more likely to prioritize a charity give to nonprofit organizations that they trust will use their donated money to make a difference.
7. It’s important to your faith
Many people will also give to charity if it is important to their religious beliefs. The CAF survey revealed that a huge 71% of donors said their faith influenced their charitable giving.
In 2023, the majority of charitable dollars went to religion, making almost one quarter of all donations (24%).
Many major religions place significant importance on charitable giving and social responsibility.
8. To help address social inequity
Charitable giving can also be a way of directly addressing social inequality.
There are numerous charities out there that work within communities, schools, or areas of social deprivation.
9. You see the effort that goes into fundraising
Watching the effort going into fundraising can also be a reason to donate to charity.
People are more likely to donate when they see the pain and effort that goes into fundraising, such as running a marathon or a cycling challenge. This is known as ‘The Martyrdom Effect’ and can lead to greater altruism.
10. For tax relief
In the US, charitable donations can also provide tax benefits through IRS-recognized deductions.
If you donate to a tax-exempt organization, such as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, you may be able to claim a tax deduction.
Crucially, you must:
- Itemize your tax deductions, rather than the standard tax return
- Keep records of all donations
- Be aware of deduction limits—60% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for cash donations
Give to charity through GoFundMe
Whether you want to help fight climate change or support mental health initiatives, GoFundMe is the perfect place to support charitable organizations.
You can donate to fundraisers that already exist, donating to either individuals, charities, or causes. As well as this, you can create your own fundraiser to donate to your charity of choice.
Funds raised are delivered automatically to the charity of your choice.