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  • Donating to Charity Essay

Donating Money to Charity Essay

In this donating money to charity essay for IELTS you have two sides of an argument to discuss.  

This is the question:

Some people prefer to provide help and support directly to those in need. Others however prefer to give money to national and international charitable organisations.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Understanding & Organising the Essay

You can identify the two different arguments from the words " Some people prefer... " and " Others however prefer... ".

So you need to make sure you discuss both of these views, and of course say what you personally think: "... and give your own opinion."

In this donating money to charity essay, the writer presents the first argument in the first body paragraph, the next argument in the second, then their personal opinion in the conclusion. 

This is a logical and simple way to do it but of course it can be approached in slightly different ways (check out some of the other " discuss two opinion " model essays to see other ways).

Now take a look at the model answer. 

Donating Money to Charity Essay

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer

Giving money to those in need can be a personally satisfying experience, but there is a choice between donating nationally and internationally through charities or giving directly to those around you. This essay will consider the merits of both approaches. 

The first advantage of providing direct support is that you can know exactly how your money is being spent. For example, if you give money directly to people in your local village or town, you can see where it has gone. When you donate to larger charitable organisations, on the other hand, you are not sure how much will actually be given to those in need as opposed going on other costs such as administration and expensive marketing campaigns. Another benefit is that you can see the impacts on those you are helping, which can lead not only to great personal satisfaction but also to respect from others in the local community who appreciate the work you do.

There are advantages, however, in giving to charities that are national and international. First and foremost there is the choice of good causes. Locally the kinds of places to help may be limited, but in larger organisations you can get involved in such activities as sponsoring a child or conserving wildlife. Not only this, donating to larger charities with an international reach means having the knowledge that you are involved in issues of fundamental global importance, such as curing diseases and human rights, or helping those caught up in tragic environmental events, such as flooding, earthquakes and famines. 

In conclusion, given the benefits of both, I would argue that an individual should make their own choice based on their personal preferences and whichever provides them with the most personal satisfaction. What is crucial is that we continue to give to those who are more in need than ourselves. 

(306 Words)

This donating money to charity essay should achieve a high IELTS score in the test for a number of reasons.

Firstly the introduction opens by letting the reader know what the topic is and the two sides of the argument under consideration.

This is then followed by a clear thesis statement to clarify what the essay is going to do. 

  • This essay will consider the merits of both approaches. 

Coherence and cohesion are good because it's very easy to read and follow the arguments in each paragraph and to see clearly that each body paragraph has one controlling idea i.e.

  • Body 1 : Benefits of  providing help and support directly to those in need
  • Body 2: Benefits of donating to national and international charities

Transitional phrases and words are also used well to guide the user through the ideas:

  • The first advantage of providing direct support is...
  • For example...
  • ...on the other hand...
  • Another benefit is that...
  • ...not only..but also...
  • There are advantages, however,...
  • First and foremost...
  • Not only this,...
  • In conclusion,...

The conclusion gives the writer's opinion very clearly.

The essay also has a wide range of grammatical structures and a high level of grammatical accuracy. 

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9 Positive Effects of Donating Money to Charity

9 Positive Effects of Donating Money to Charity

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!

  • http://www.atlasofgiving.com/atlas/9564728G/9564728G_12_14.pdf
  • http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/june2007/06222007altruist.htm

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  • https://www.thelifeyoucansave.org/blog/9-positive-effects-of-donating-money-to-charity/

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Why should we donate money to charity?

Three reasons why we should donate to charity, 1. charity helps people who need it, 2. charity can improve your own wellbeing, 3. charity can make the world a fairer place.

Almost everyone in the world appreciates the value of charity to some degree. In fact, many popular religions have altruistic foundations , such as the practice of tithing (giving 10% of one's income) in Christianity and Judaism, Zakat (typically giving 2.5% of one's wealth) in Islam, and Dāna (the general concept of generosity and charity) in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism.

Figure

Beyond the seemingly universal inclination we have towards donating to charity — or, more generally, to doing the right thing — why should we donate? What are some specific reasons why charity should be an important part of our lives? Merely thinking that charity is important is one thing, but it is crucial to bridge the gap between intention and action if we are to help those who are in need.

In this article, I provide three key reasons why charity is a necessary ingredient for making the world a better place:

  • It is effective at helping people in need.
  • It can improve our own wellbeing.
  • It can make the world a much fairer place overall.

Global poverty, the mistreatment of nonhuman animals, and other social injustices cause so much suffering in the world. For those of us who are relatively well-off, what responsibility do we have (if any), to improve conditions for those less fortunate? What does it take to "do good" or to be a good person? These questions concern not just ivory-tower philosophers but many of us who place a crucial importance on discovering the ingredients necessary to live ethical, happy, and fulfilling lives.

One individual who has thought deeply about these kinds of questions is Peter Singer . Singer is widely considered to be one of the most influential living philosophers , and is one of the effective altruism movement's key intellectual forebears. In 1972, he wrote an essay titled Famine, Affluence and Morality , where he argued that "If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it." Singer's ethical arguments have influenced so many others because of their sheer simplicity and how cohesive they are as a framework for thinking about what it means to live an ethical life.

See if you agree with each of the following statements from Singer's Famine, Affluence and Morality :

  • Suffering and death from preventable causes (e.g., a lack of food, shelter, or medical care) are bad.
  • If we can stop bad things from happening without significantly reducing our own wellbeing, we should.
  • Most of us in high-income countries can make a meaningful impact on the lives of others without substantially reducing our own wellbeing.

If these statements sound reasonable to you, it follows that most people in high-income countries should do what they can to prevent suffering and death in other parts of the world. Donating to highly effective charities is one way to do that.

Another key consideration, beyond our moral obligation to donate to charity, is to think about our moral obligation regarding the cost effectiveness of our donations. This point is argued by Toby Ord , a co-founder of Giving What We Can and another key figure in the effective altruism movement.

In a publication called The Moral Imperative toward Cost-Effectiveness in Global Health , Ord argued that it is not just important to emphasise cost effectiveness, but it is morally crucial that we do so.

Ord imagines a scenario in which there is an individual who has a $40,000 budget that they wish to donate to fight blindness. This amount could be used to provide a guide dog for a blind person — a clear quality of life improvement, but not something that will restore the person's vision. Or, as Ord points out, the same amount of money could instead be spent on surgeries for trachoma, an infectious disease that can lead to blindness if left untreated. The cost of treating trachoma is around $20, meaning that $40,000 could either prevent roughly 2,000 people from going blind or help one person navigate blindness with a guide dog's help.

Few people, if any at all, would be able to convincingly argue that an outcome in which one person can more comfortably navigate blindness is preferable to one in which 2,000 equally deserving others can avoid blindness in the first place. Any donor willing to give $40,000 is remarkably generous, but the consequences of ignoring cost effectiveness have deeply unsettling moral implications. It is thus a moral imperative that we consider the cost effectiveness of our donations. Failing to do so can mean that more people suffer unnecessarily. Just think of the 1,999 others who wouldn't receive any help if $40,000 was donated to charities that train guide dogs instead of ones that prevent trachoma from causing blindness.

We truly live in unprecedented times where we have unprecedented opportunities to use charitable donations to significantly improve the lives of others.

Giving to charity can be one of the easiest ways to make yourself feel good. It is a highly effective way of generating that amazing warm glow feeling — the same one you feel when you help your neighbour, your friend, a family member, or a coworker. Charity is not just for the ultra-wealthy . You (yes you, the exact person reading this sentence right now) can make a massive difference in the lives of others while simultaneously benefiting yourself — one of those coveted win-win scenarios!

Here are four reasons why being charitable can benefit your own health and wellbeing:

  • People who help others are happier. There is empirical evidence from both correlational and experimental studies that people who spend more money on others report greater happiness and wellbeing. These results were seen across many different countries worldwide, suggesting that feeling good from donating to others might be a universal feature of how our brains are wired.
  • The benefits of donating can be detected in both the brain and the body. One study used MRI scans to suggest that donating causes the brain's reward centres to activate. Another study used measures of salivary cortisol (a stress hormone) and produced evidence that participants who kept more money for themselves felt more shame. (Shame is associated with higher cortisol levels and thus higher stress levels.)
  • Wealth and happiness do not have a linear relationship. To study the relationship between wealth and happiness, Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton, both Nobel laureate economists from Princeton University, found that the effects of income on emotional wellbeing peak at an income level of roughly $75,000 USD. The pair ultimately conclude that "high income buys life satisfaction but not happiness."
  • Acquiring ever-increasing amounts of wealth has diminishing returns. Another study by Matthew Killingsworth found that, while happiness and life satisfaction increased past $75,000, the increases were relatively small and were less pronounced the richer an individual was. For example, the difference in happiness between two households earning $20,000 and $60,000 a year was found to be the same as the difference between two households earning $60,000 and $180,000 a year, respectively. The implication is that as you become wealthier, it takes progressively more money to improve your wellbeing. In contrast, that same amount of money could increase the wellbeing of many more individuals with lower incomes by the same amount. So, going from an income of $50,000 to $100,000 would increase your happiness by the same amount as going from $1,000 to $2,000 would — except that the $50,000 increase mentioned previously could provide that same increase in happiness for 50 people with incomes of $1,000 instead of one person with an income of $50,000!

You may be wondering: even if donating to charity makes us feel good, could it have negative effects on our happiness down the road? Fortunately, there are good empirical and theoretical reasons to believe that donating 10% of your income will not reduce your happiness in any significant way. You can also frame it this way: you get to keep 90% of your income to be used on whatever you like!

If you are 1) reading this article and 2) employed, you're likely in the top 10% of earners worldwide. In fact, you may well be in the top 1%, or even well above that threshold.

Check out our How Rich Am I? calculator to see for yourself.

You might not feel rich. That's perfectly understandable. You have probably scrolled through Instagram before and seen profiles of the rich and famous folks who drive sports cars and live in places like Beverly Hills. Comparatively speaking, you might not have that kind of wealth. But globally speaking, you're probably closer to them in terms of your financial status than you are to the poorest of the global poor!

Take, for example, Malawi, a low-income country in sub-Saharan Africa with a population of nearly 20 million people, 70% of whom live under a poverty line of $1.90 a day. According to data from the World Bank's Development Research Group , Malawi has a median annual household per capita income of $480 USD (in 2011 prices). This number, which is 40 times lower than the equivalent for the United States, already takes into account the cost of living differences between Malawi and the United States.

Earning a salary of, say, $35,000 USD in the United States isn't enough to catch an invite to the Met Gala or to afford a brand new Tesla. But earning $35,000 does put you in a unique position to change deserving people's lives in countries like Malawi. That is because donating 10% of $35,000 gives you the chance to do a tremendous amount of good in the world.

Let's look at how much good that money could do (at least at the time of writing). To start, it could double the income of seven people earning the median annual household per capita income in Malawi. It could also be used to purchase 700 insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria, a debilitating illness that affects hundreds of millions of people annually. Or, you could provide over 3,500 treatments for children who suffer from intestinal worms.

Teslas are cool, but protecting 700 people from malaria or 3,500 kids from intestinal worms is even cooler. In fact, effectively helping others is the coolest thing in the world!

You might now be wondering why governments — be it Malawi's, or wealthier ones like the United States' — don't fund these interventions. The same could be asked of private corporations looking to make a profit. Surely there is enough political interest, or sufficient market forces, to get people the resources they need. Why do we need charity if these institutions exist? And why should private citizens foot the bill when we already pay taxes?

The budget dedicated by wealthy governments to address these pressing problems is often inadequate , and the profit motive of corporations isn't always sufficient for directing resources to those who really need them. There is, therefore, a crucial need for charity within the global economy. Those who deserve to have their interests considered often cannot make their voices heard within our economic and political institutions.

Nonhuman animals are a clear example of a group of individuals that is both disenfranchised from traditional decision-making bodies and deserving of our moral consideration. Every year, trillions are killed for food, many of whom suffer in miserable conditions while alive — particularly those who are part of the factory farming system, such as chicken, pigs, and fish.

Animals cannot vote out politicians who ignore their interests. They cannot influence politicians by funding lobbying groups and by making targeted political donations. Wealthy animals cannot donate to improve the living conditions of other, less fortunate animals in their communities. Animals can suffer, however. And much like it is illogical to ignore humans who suffer strictly because they are far away from us, it is also illogical to only include our own species in our boundaries of moral concern. Suffering is suffering. That is why it is important to make sure that animals can live reasonably happy lives. One way we can help is by donating to highly effective animal charities that have a track record of making considerable progress on these issues.

Some ways we can make a difference in the lives of animals include funding charities that:

  • Run corporate outreach campaigns to increase animal welfare standards.
  • Promote alternatives to animal products (such as plant-based and cell-based meat and dairy).
  • Conduct research on how to help wild animals.

We recommend those wanting to improve animal welfare donate to the Animal Welfare Fund .

Another example of disenfranchised beings is humans of future generations. Our present actions can significantly affect an astronomical number of people later on, perhaps hundreds, thousands, or even millions of years from now. It is thus crucial that we try to prevent disastrous events from destroying or seriously harming all life on our planet. These kinds of risks are called existential risks , and include nuclear war, man-made pandemics, advanced artificial intelligence, and climate change, among others.

Like animals, people in the far (or even the near) future cannot vote, lobby, or fund research into ways that we can prevent existential risk in the present. Their voices quite literally do not exist. And yet, morally speaking, their wellbeing is also important .

Think of your grandchildren, or your great-grandchildren, or your great-great-grandchildren, and so on. While you may never meet them (much like you won't meet many individuals in foreign countries who still are clearly deserving of charity), they should be able to live the kinds of happy and prosperous lives that we all aspire to. People should not suffer just because they live in places far away from us geographically. In the same vein, we should do everything we can to prevent suffering in places far away from us temporally.

A few examples of things we can do today to help future generations include:

  • Donate to the Longtermism Fund .
  • Spreading the core ideas of effective altruism and long-term thinking.
  • Promoting public policy that ensures the interests of those in the far future are taken into consideration.
  • Training practitioners that work on mitigating existential risks.

This article covered many reasons why donating is so important. It outlines evidence supporting the claims that (i) charity helps people who need it, (ii) giving to charity promotes donors' wellbeing, and (iii) charity can help make the world a fairer place. It also surely missed a number of other reasons why donating is an important part of doing good. Perhaps at least one of the reasons above will nudge you into taking decisive action to improve the lives of others, regardless of where you come from, what kind of job you have, or what kind of moral or political views you hold. You have a chance to do a substantial amount of good in the world, especially if you decide to pledge 10% of your income to some of the most effective charities in the world.

For more inspiration, you can read some of the stories and quotes contributed by our members about their giving.

Not ready to pledge? You can also donate to an effective charity , sign up to our newsletter , read our blog , attend an event , join an effective altruism group , or reach out to me directly if you'd like to discuss anything.

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Why You Should Donate (and Where!)

If you have some wiggle room in your budget, deciding how to spend that extra money may fuel your daydreams. How would your hard-earned money be best spent? How can it improve your life? One answer: donate it to a worthy cause. Research shows that donating money makes people happier than spending it on themselves. By donating, you can improve your mental wellness while supporting the well-being of others.

           

With even a small donation, each of us has the power to contribute to change for the better. This fact should be a beacon of hope for all. We can make a difference, and we can start at any time. Why not begin today? 

How to Start Donating

The act of giving money away alone is enough to boost your happiness, but we can go further. By finding nonprofits to support that align with our values and goals, we can feel even better about the difference our donations are making in the world. The sheer number of nonprofits vying for funds to do their important work is overwhelming. Having so many options can be paralyzing and may be a reason that those with the intention to donate never actually write a check (or fill in their credit card information). The first step is figuring out where you want to give.

What Criteria Should You Consider? 

Finding the right organization (or organizations) to support is the key to ensuring that your donations are bringing you joy and serving the world. These questions will help you find your perfect nonprofit match among the highly-rated organizations that Charity Navigator assesses:

  • What cause are you most interested in advancing? Are you a supporter of animal rights? A crusader against homelessness? An advocate for marginalized students? All causes are worthy of support, but finding your match will mean focusing on your true passion.
  • Where do you want to make an impact? Local, national, and international organizations have their own roles to play.
  • What type of leaders do you want to support? Leaders from communities historically neglected by philanthropy can benefit from your support.
  • What size organization do you want to engage with? Small, medium, and large organizations have their own roles to play and face different challenges. 

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Unlocking The Value: Understanding The Importance Of Donation

Aurora Simon

Importance Of Donation

If you’re looking for a way to make a positive impact on the world, the importance of donation to a cause or charity is an excellent place to start. Not only can it transform lives and communities, but it also brings personal satisfaction and a sense of purpose. Donating is a win-win situation where both the giver and the recipient benefit.

Table of Contents

But why is a donation so important, and how can it create meaningful change? In this article, we’ll delve into the transformative power of gifts and explore their impact on individuals and communities. We’ll also guide in choosing the right charity to ensure your donation makes a meaningful impact. Whether you’re an individual looking to give back or a business seeking to create a culture of philanthropy, this article has something for everyone.

Donating for a Cause: Creating Social Change Through Contribution

There’s more to donation than just giving away your money. Every donation has the power to create social change and transform lives, making the world a better place. When you donate for a cause, you become a force of positive impact, contributing towards a better tomorrow.

Donating to specific causes and charities can profoundly impact individuals and communities. It can help provide essential resources, support research and innovation, and spread awareness about critical issues. The impact of your donations goes beyond just the monetary value, providing hope and inspiration to those who are in need.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

Donate To Charity: Improving Lives One Contribution at a Time

Charities are organizations dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people and communities across the globe. Donating to a charity is one of the most effective ways to use your resources, as the contributions go directly to address the organization’s mission.

Donating to charity is a way of giving back to society, supporting those in need, and making a difference in the world. Every contribution counts, no matter how small, and together we can create a positive impact that will last for generations to come.

donating for a cause

Join the movement and donate for a cause today. Your contribution has the power to create social change, transform lives, and make the world a better place.

The Power of Donation: Transforming Lives and Communities

Donation has the power to make a tremendous impact on individuals and communities. It can transform lives, create hope, and pave the way for a brighter future. Let’s examine some examples of how donations have made a difference in the lives of people around the world.

These are just a few examples of how donations can significantly impact. The best part is that the positive effects of these donations are often felt for years to come.

The Ripple Effect of the Importance Of Donation

Donations transform the lives of those who directly benefit from them and have a ripple effect on their families and communities. When a child receives an education, for example, they are then better equipped to contribute to their community and society at large. When a family receives aid after a natural disaster, they canImportance Of Donation recover and rebuild their homes, thus strengthening the entire community.

“When you give, you don’t give because you have to, but because you want to. And that act of giving creates a ripple effect. It spreads from you to your fellow citizens and beyond, making the world a better place for all.”

These words from former US President Barack Obama illustrate the far-reaching impact that donations can have.

The Personal Rewards of Donation

While making a positive difference in the world is often the primary motivation for donating, it’s important to note that there are personal rewards as well. Donating can bring a sense of fulfillment, purpose, and joy. It can also help to strengthen one’s sense of connection to the world and to others.

These benefits are often the reason why individuals continue to donate and give back throughout their lives. It’s a win-win situation where both the donor and recipient are able to reap the rewards of donation.

Benefits of Donating: A Win-Win Situation

Donating to a cause you believe in is not only a selfless act but can also bring personal benefits. Giving back to society can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing that you have made a difference in the lives of others. It can also enhance your qualities as a person, such as empathy, compassion, and generosity, making you a better member of your community.

In addition to personal satisfaction, donating can also potentially offer tax advantages. Deducting charitable donations from your taxes can reduce your taxable income, allowing you to keep more of the money you earn. Before making a donation, it is important to research the tax laws in your country or state to understand how much you can deduct.

Furthermore, donating can also positively impact your financial situation in the long run. By contributing to causes that promote education, financial stability, and healthcare, you are contributing to a better future for society as a whole. This means that there will be a reduced need for government assistance programs, leading to a more stable economy and ultimately, a better quality of life for everyone.

benefits of donating

By donating to a cause you believe in, you are not only helping others but also improving your own well-being. It’s a win-win situation that can have lasting effects on your life and the lives of those around you.

How to Choose the Right Charity: Making Your Donation Count

When it comes to donating to charities or organizations, it’s important to do your research to ensure your contribution is making a meaningful impact. Here are some tips to help you choose the right charity:

1. Identify Causes That Matter to You

Start by identifying the causes and issues that are important to you. Do you want to support environmental conservation efforts? Provide aid to underprivileged communities? Combat social injustice? Once you have a clear idea of your passion, you can search for charities that align with your values.

2. Do Your Research

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential charities, do your research to learn more about them. Look for information on the charity’s mission, goals, and impact. Check their financial statements to see how donations are being allocated and used. You can also look up reviews and ratings from reputable third-party organizations such as Charity Navigator or GuideStar.

3. Consider the Charity’s Transparency

Transparency is key when it comes to charitable organizations. Look for charities that are open and honest about their operations and financials. Make sure they are registered as a nonprofit and have their finances audited regularly. You should also be able to easily find information on the charity’s board of directors and staff.

4. Evaluate the Charity’s Effectiveness

When donating to a charity, you want to ensure that your contribution is making a real impact. Look for charities that measure and report on their effectiveness. They should be able to provide data and statistics on the impact of their programs and services.

5. Verify Donation Options

Make sure that the charity you choose offers donation options that work for you. Some charities may only accept specific types of donations, such as cash or stock donations. Others may offer options such as recurring donations or workplace giving programs.

6. Remember, Small Charities Can Make a Big Impact Too

Don’t overlook smaller charities or organizations. While they may not have the same name recognition as larger charities, they may be doing important work with a significant impact in their local communities.

By taking the time to research and choose the right charity, you can ensure that your donation is making a difference and contributing to positive change in the world.

choose the right charity

Making a Difference: Ways to Donate and Get Involved

Donating your time, money, or resources is a powerful way to make a difference in the world. Whether you decide to contribute to a local charity or a global cause, your efforts can have a lasting impact on the lives of others. Here are some ways to donate and get involved:

1. Monetary Donations

One of the most common ways to donate is through monetary contributions. You can donate directly to a charity or nonprofit organization or through third-party platforms such as GoFundMe or PayPal Giving Fund. Be sure to research the organization to ensure your donation will be used effectively.

ways to donate and get involved

2. Volunteering

Volunteering your time and skills is a valuable way to make a difference. You can volunteer at a local food bank, animal shelter, hospital, or community center. Many organizations have volunteer programs that offer flexible schedules and various opportunities to contribute.

3. Fundraising Events

Participating in or hosting fundraising events is another effective way to give back. Walkathons, bake sales, and charity auctions are popular examples of events that allow individuals to raise funds for a cause. Consider teaming up with friends, family, or coworkers to maximize impact.

4. Corporate Sponsorship

Businesses can also get involved in donating by offering corporate sponsorship. This can take the form of monetary contributions, employee volunteer programs, or cause-related marketing campaigns. Corporate donations can have a significant impact, especially when multiple companies come together for a common cause.

Whatever way you choose to donate and get involved, remember that your actions can make a difference. Your contribution, no matter how small, can have a ripple effect and inspire others to join in giving back.

The Ripple Effect: Inspiring Others to Donate

Donation is a powerful force that can transform individual lives and communities and inspire others to give back. When people see the positive impact of donations in action, they are often inspired to contribute themselves, creating a ripple effect of goodwill.

Leading by example is one of the most effective ways to inspire others to donate. Whether it’s through sharing personal stories of the impact of donation or actively volunteering and supporting causes, individuals can motivate others to take action and give back.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

The act of giving can also be infectious, spreading from person to person and inspiring acts of kindness and generosity. Donating and giving back can create a positive culture and a sense of community, bringing people together around a common goal.

Corporate donation initiatives can also lead the way in inspiring others to give back. When businesses make a concerted effort to support causes and donate to charities, it can create a positive reputation and influence consumer behavior. By promoting a culture of giving back, companies can significantly impact society and inspire others to follow their lead.

As individuals, we all have the power to make a difference through our donations and inspire others to do the same. Whether it’s through leading by example, participating in charitable events, or sharing stories of the transformative power of donation, each one of us can play a role in creating a ripple effect of positive change.

inspiring others to donate

Overcoming Obstacles: Addressing Common Donation Concerns

Despite donations’ proven benefits and transformative power, many individuals may still have concerns or doubts about contributing to a cause. As noble as giving back may be, it can be challenging to overcome the perceived obstacles to donation.

Here, we address some of the most common concerns and provide reassuring guidance on how to overcome them. Don’t let these obstacles prevent you from making a meaningful impact through donation.

Is my donation really making a difference?

It’s natural to wonder if your donation is truly impactful, but rest assured that every contribution can make a difference, no matter how small. Nonprofit organizations rely on the support of individual donors to fund their initiatives, and even a few dollars can go a long way in supporting their cause. Don’t underestimate the power of your donation- it can have a ripple effect that creates positive change for the recipient and beyond.

How do I know my donation is being used effectively?

Transparency is key when it comes to donating to a cause or charity. Before contributing, research the organization to ensure that they have a reputable track record and are transparent about allocating their funds. Look for organizations that publish annual reports or financial statements to provide accountability and clarity. Additionally, many charities offer donor reports or updates on the impact of their contributions, which can provide peace of mind and show the difference your donation is making.

What if I can’t afford to donate?

Donating money is just one way to give back- there are many other ways to make an impact that don’t require financial contributions. Consider volunteering your time with a nonprofit organization, organizing a fundraiser, or spreading awareness on social media. Every act of kindness and support counts, regardless of how much money is involved. Don’t let financial constraints hold you back from making a difference.

What if I don’t know which cause to donate to?

Choosing among the numerous causes and charities out there can be overwhelming. Start by reflecting on your own values and interests- what issues do you feel most passionate about? From there, research charities that align with those values and review their mission statements and track record. Consider factors such as the organization’s impact, transparency, and goals. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the organization with any questions or concerns before making a donation.

Remember, the world needs more individuals who are willing to give back and make a positive impact. Don’t let concerns or doubts prevent you from contributing to the greater good. With the right guidance and mindset, donating can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for both the recipient and the giver.

overcoming obstacles

The Impact of Corporate Donation: Businesses Driving Change

Businesses have a unique opportunity to make a significant impact through corporate donations. By supporting causes that align with their values and goals, they can not only make a difference in communities but also create a positive reputation and foster employee morale.

Corporate donation initiatives can take various forms, including monetary donations, in-kind contributions, and employee engagement programs. These programs can range from company-wide volunteer events to donation-matching campaigns.

“Corporate responsibility is not just about doing good, it’s about doing well.” said Robert S. Morrison, Chairman and CEO of The Quaker Oats Company.

Corporate donations not only benefit the recipients but also create a culture of giving back within the company. By aligning business goals with social impact, companies have the power to drive change and make a meaningful difference.

impact of corporate donation

The Future of Donation: Embracing Technology for Greater Impact

As technology continues to evolve, so does its potential impact on the world of donation. From crowdfunding to digital wallets, emerging trends are making it easier than ever for individuals to contribute and make a lasting difference.

Imagine being able to donate to your favorite charity with just a few taps on your smartphone, or seeing the impact of your donation in real-time through a virtual reality experience. These are just a few examples of how technology is transforming the way we give back.

One of the most significant developments in the donation world is the rise of online platforms. These platforms provide individuals with a centralized location to discover, research, and donate to various causes and organizations. They also offer transparency, allowing donors to track the impact of their contributions.

Crowdfunding is another promising trend in the world of donation. By leveraging the power of social media, individuals can raise funds for specific causes or projects, empowering grassroots movements and giving a voice to social issues that may have been overlooked in the past.

Another area where technology is making a difference is in the realm of digital wallets. These platforms use blockchain technology to provide secure, transparent, and efficient transactions. They are especially useful for individuals who want to donate to international causes, as they eliminate the need for currency conversions and other logistical challenges.

donating on a mobile phone

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Virtual reality is also emerging as a powerful tool for donors and organizations alike. By providing immersive experiences that showcase the impact of donations, virtual reality can help individuals connect with causes on a more emotional and personal level, increasing empathy and engagement.

Conclusion and final thoughts 💭

The future of donation is bright, and technology is at the forefront of this transformation. As we continue to embrace new trends and innovations, we can create a more connected, transparent, and impactful world of giving.

FAQ: Common Questions About the Importance Of Donation

Donating can seem overwhelming or confusing to some. Here are some commonly asked questions and answers about donating:

What are the benefits of donating?

Donating has many benefits, both personal and societal. It can bring a sense of satisfaction and purpose, and it can make a tangible impact on individuals and communities in need. Additionally, it can potentially lead to tax advantages.

Donating doesn’t always have to be monetary. You can also donate your time by volunteering or organizing a fundraising event. Every little bit helps.

How do I choose the right charity to donate to?

Research is key. Look into the charity’s mission, reputation, and financial transparency. Consider reaching out to the charity directly to ask questions and get a better understanding of how your donation will be used.

What if I’m not sure how to get involved?

There are many ways to get involved, from monetary donations to volunteering to participating in fundraising events. Research charities and causes that align with your values and interests, and consider reaching out directly to ask how you can help.

What if I’m concerned about where my donation is going?

Transparency is an important factor in choosing a charity to donate to. Look for charities with clear financial records and open communication about how donations are being used. Consider reaching out directly to ask for more information if necessary.

Can I make a donation in someone else’s name?

Yes, many charities offer the option to make donations in honor of someone else. This can be a meaningful way to give back and recognize someone special in your life.

How often should I donate?

There is no set frequency for donating. It’s important to give what you can, when you can. Even small, regular donations can make a significant impact over time.

Remember, donating is a personal choice that can have a powerful impact on the world around you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take your time in deciding how you want to give back. Together, we can make a difference.

About the author

Aurora Simon profile picture

With an enduring passion for human potential, I have dedicated my life to learning, growing, and most importantly, empowering others to discover their own unique paths to self-improvement. As a personal development blogger, I distill the wisdom gathered from various life experiences, books, seminars, and thought leaders to provide you with actionable insights and tools for your own growth. I believe that each one of us is capable of extraordinary things, and my mission is to help you unlock that potential. Join me on this journey of self-discovery, and together let’s cultivate a life filled with purpose, fulfillment, and joy. You can contact us here.

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The science behind why people give money to charity

Experts from the nudge unit explain how fundraisers can make their messaging more effective

There are several questions that have fascinated behavioural scientists for decades: why do people ignore information that is right in front of us? Why do we seem to care so little about our long-term futures? And why do we give money to charity? Behavioural science can help us to unpack the question further.

Researchers have looked into why people donate, why they don’t do it as much as they would hope to and how to bridge this gap. The explanations for charitable giving fall into three broad categories, from the purely altruistic – I donate because I value the social good done by the charity. The “impurely” altruistic – I donate because I extract value from knowing I contribute to the social good for the charity. And the the not-at-all altruistic – I donate because I want to show off to potential mates how rich I am.

But are these motives strong enough to enable people to donate as much as they would want to? Most people support charities in one way or another, but often we struggle to make donations as often as we think we should. Although many people would like to leave a gift to charity in their will, they forget about it when the time comes. Our research shows (pdf) that if the will-writer just asks someone if they would like to donate, they are more likely to consider it and the rate of donation roughly doubles.

Hearts over heads

Many people are also aware that they should donate to the causes that have the highest impact , but facts and figures are less attractive than narratives. In a series of experiments, it was found that people are much more responsive to charitable pleas that feature a single, identifiable beneficiary, than they are to statistical information about the scale of the problem being faced. Further work also discovered that advertising which emphasises the proven effectiveness of the charity does not increase giving. Other evidence suggests that the effect of this information can actually be the opposite . In short, when it comes to charitable giving, we are often ruled by our hearts and not our heads.

Influenced by others

Another of the major takeaways from the research in this area is that giving is fundamentally a social act. One study shows that people give significantly more to their university if the person calling and asking for their donation is their former roommate. Researchers found that when JustGiving donors see that the donor before them has made a large donation, they make a larger donation themselves .

It’s not just out friends and families who can influence us. Donors to an international development charity were more likely to respond to a match–funding campaign if they knew that that the match came from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation than if it came from an anonymous source. In our own research working with a large employer and Marie Curie, we have found that celebrity supporters increase donations to charity, and fast – but that this only appears to work for people who have donated to the charity before.

Giving is contagious

The good news is that charitable giving is contagious – seeing others give makes an individual more likely to give and gentle encouragement from a prominent person in your life can make also make a big difference to your donation decisions – more than quadrupling them in our recent study. Habit also plays a part – in three recent experiments those who volunteered before were more likely to donate their time than those who had not volunteered before.

In summary, behavioural science identifies a range of factors that influence our donations, and can help us to keep giving in the longer term. This is great news not just for charities, but also for donors. Research has revealed that spending money on others actually makes us happier than spending it on ourselves, and giving to others can actually make us healthier . So what are we waiting for?

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  • Five reasons to give to charity

Five reasons to give to charity 

At Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) we know that donating to the causes you care about benefits more than just the charities and those they support – it can be deeply rewarding for you too. CAF's  World Giving Index 2022  found that record numbers of people globally chose to give to charity in 2021, and more than 3 billion people reported having helped a stranger. Millions give to charity on a regular basis to support causes they believe in, as well as for the positive effect it has on their own lives. So why is giving to charity so gratifying and life-changing for all involved? Here are five good reasons you might not have thought about for donating to your charities of choice. 

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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2. Giving to charity strengthens personal values 

In our research report, Why we give , a feeling of social conscience was the most widely-cited reason to give to charity. Whatever type of charity work they supported, 96% of people said they felt they had a moral duty to use what they had to help others – a sentiment very much rooted in their personal values and principles. Having the power to improve the lives of others is, to many people, a privilege, and one that comes with its own sense of obligation. Acting on these powerful feelings of responsibility is a great way to reinforce our own personal values and feel like we are living in a way that is true to our own beliefs. If you are looking for tools to help you figure out which causes matter most to you and how best you might be able to make an impact, our Guide to Giving  can help. 

3. Giving is more impactful than ever

Many people are concerned that their donations to charity may be reduced by tax or administrative costs, preventing the full amount from reaching the people or causes they really want to help. Thankfully there are ways to make the most of every donation to charity. If you’re a UK taxpayer, you can boost the amount of every donation you make by giving through Gift Aid , an Income Tax relief programme created to help charities get the most out of the funds they receive. As Gift Aid enables the charity to recover the basic rate of tax on your donation, the scheme effectively adds 25p to each £1 you give at no extra cost to you. There are many other ways to give to charity tax-effectively  too, such as by donating straight from your salary (before tax is deducted) through a payroll giving scheme ; donating shares  to charity; or leaving a charitable legacy in your Will. These methods of giving ensure your chosen charities benefit as much as possible from your support, and can result in a lifetime of connection between you and the causes you care about.

4. Giving can reintroduce friends and family to the importance of generosity

Knowing someone who gives to charity can be a catalyst for giving to charity yourself. By giving to charity, you may well be helping to remind friends and family of causes they themselves are passionate about and would like to support.   Your charitable donations could even bring about a family-wide effort to back a charity or charities that have special significance to you as a group. Family giving  creates a bond, helping to bolster relationships through a shared goal and often raises more money than could otherwise be possible through individual donations. Chances are, many of your family members are already giving to charity, so working together could help you to make even more of a positive impact. We can help your family set up a family CAF Charitable Trust  to make coordinating your donations simple and sustainable. Sharing the experience of donating to charity with your children  is also a powerful way of showing them from a young age that they can make positive changes in the world. Children naturally love to help others, so nurturing their innate generosity is likely to mean that they grow up with a greater appreciation of what they have, and will carry on supporting charity and good causes in years to come. If you have children, starting a tradition of donating to charity with them is easy - try creating a family donation box that everyone can add to and nominate a family charity each year, involving the children in choosing which causes to support.

5. Giving to charity builds and strengthens community

The Covid 19 pandemic has encouraged many of us to take a closer look at our local communities and to consider how we can make a difference. Giving to charity, and particularly locally, can be a powerful way to invest in the people and places that make up our everyday lives.  As a member of the various communities, you are likely to be well-placed to identify causes in your community that could benefit from charitable giving and support. You might also have insights into how to donate your money or time to magnify your positive impact and strengthen your community.

If these good reasons – a handful of many – have inspired you to make a donation to charity, we can help. We make it easy to find a charity  that’s working for causes important to you, and can support you whether you want to make a one-off donation , set up a donation plan or find out how to donate your time .

With CAF, giving to the causes you care about is safe and efficient. Whether you wish to make a one-off donation or need support with your long-term giving and philanthropy , we are here to help you maximise your giving and make the impact you wish to create.

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Five ways giving is good for you, jason marsh and jill suttie offer added incentives to get into the holiday spirit..

Holiday shopping can be terrifying, yes. But research suggests it’s worth it: New studies attest to the benefits of giving—not just for the recipients but for the givers’ health and happiness, and for the strength of entire communities.

Of course, you don’t have to shop to reap the benefits of giving. Research suggests the same benefits come from donating to charities or volunteering your time, like at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter. Here are some of the ways that giving is good for you and your community.

1. Giving makes us feel happy. A 2008 study by Harvard Business School professor Michael Norton and colleagues found that giving money to someone else lifted participants’ happiness more that spending it on themselves (despite participants’ prediction that spending on themselves would make them happier). Happiness expert Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, saw similar results when she asked people to perform five acts of kindness each week for six weeks.

essay about donating money

These good feelings are reflected in our biology. In a 2006 study, Jorge Moll and colleagues at the National Institutes of Health found that when people give to charities, it activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust, creating a “warm glow” effect. Scientists also believe that altruistic behavior releases endorphins in the brain, producing the positive feeling known as the “helper’s high.”

2. Giving is good for our health. A wide range of research has linked different forms of generosity to better health, even among the sick and elderly. In his book Why Good Things Happen to Good People , Stephen Post, a professor of preventative medicine at Stony Brook University, reports that giving to others has been shown to increase health benefits in people with chronic illness, including HIV and multiple sclerosis.

A 1999 study led by Doug Oman of the University of California, Berkeley, found that elderly people who volunteered for two or more organizations were 44 percent less likely to die over a five-year period than were non-volunteers, even after controlling for their age, exercise habits, general health, and negative health habits like smoking. Stephanie Brown of the University of Michigan saw similar results in a 2003 study on elderly couples. She and her colleagues found that those individuals who provided practical help to friends, relatives, or neighbors, or gave emotional support to their spouses, had a lower risk of dying over a five-year period than those who didn’t. Interestingly, receiving help wasn’t linked to a reduced death risk.

Researchers suggest that one reason giving may improve physical health and longevity is that it helps decrease stress, which is associated with a variety of health problems. In a 2006 study by Rachel Piferi of Johns Hopkins University and Kathleen Lawler of the University of Tennessee, people who provided social support to others had lower blood pressure than participants who didn’t, suggesting a direct physiological benefit to those who give of themselves.

3. Giving promotes cooperation and social connection. When you give, you’re more likely to get back: Several studies, including work by sociologists Brent Simpson and Robb Willer, have suggested that when you give to others, your generosity is likely to be rewarded by others down the line—sometimes by the person you gave to, sometimes by someone else.

These exchanges promote a sense of trust and cooperation that strengthens our ties to others—and research has shown that having positive social interactions is central to good mental and physical health. As researcher John Cacioppo writes in his book Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection , “The more extensive the reciprocal altruism born of social connection . . . the greater the advance toward health, wealth, and happiness.”

What’s more, when we give to others, we don’t only make them feel closer to us; we also feel closer to them. “Being kind and generous leads you to perceive others more positively and more charitably,” writes Lyubomirsky in her book The How of Happiness , and this “fosters a heightened sense of interdependence and cooperation in your social community.”

4. Giving evokes gratitude. Whether you’re on the giving or receiving end of a gift, that gift can elicit feelings of gratitude—it can be a way of expressing gratitude or instilling gratitude in the recipient. And research has found that gratitude is integral to happiness, health, and social bonds.

Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough, co-directors of the Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness, found that teaching college students to “count their blessings” and cultivate gratitude caused them to exercise more, be more optimistic, and feel better about their lives overall. A recent study led by Nathaniel Lambert at Florida State University found that expressing gratitude to a close friend or romantic partner strengthens our sense of connection to that person.

Barbara Fredrickson, a pioneering happiness researcher, suggests that cultivating gratitude in everyday life is one of the keys to increasing personal happiness. “When you express your gratitude in words or actions, you not only boost your own positivity but [other people’s] as well,” she writes in her book Positivity . “And in the process you reinforce their kindness and strengthen your bond to one another.”

5. Giving is contagious. When we give, we don’t only help the immediate recipient of our gift. We also spur a ripple effect of generosity through our community.

A study by James Fowler of the University of California, San Diego, and Nicholas Christakis of Harvard, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science , shows that when one person behaves generously, it inspires observers to behave generously later, toward different people. In fact, the researchers found that altruism could spread by three degrees—from person to person to person to person. “As a result,” they write, “each person in a network can influence dozens or even hundreds of people, some of whom [they do] not know and [have] not met.” ] Giving has also been linked to the release of oxytocin, a hormone (also released during sex and breast feeding) that induces feelings of warmth, euphoria, and connection to others. In laboratory studies, Paul Zak, the director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University, has found that a dose of oxytocin will cause people to give more generously and to feel more empathy towards others, with “symptoms” lasting up to two hours. And those people on an “oxytocin high” can potentially jumpstart a “virtuous circle, where one person’s generous behavior triggers another’s,” says Zak.

So whether you buy gifts, volunteer your time, or donate money to charity this holiday season, your giving is much more than just a year-end chore. It may help you build stronger social connections and even jumpstart a cascade of generosity through your community. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself benefiting from a big dose of happiness in the process.

About the Authors

Jill Suttie

Jill Suttie

Jill Suttie, Psy.D. , is Greater Good ’s former book review editor and now serves as a staff writer and contributing editor for the magazine. She received her doctorate of psychology from the University of San Francisco in 1998 and was a psychologist in private practice before coming to Greater Good .

Jason Marsh

Jason Marsh

Jason Marsh is the executive director of the Greater Good Science Center and the editor in chief of Greater Good .

You May Also Enjoy

The Helper’s High

This is a thoughtful entry. I’m used to hearing that giving makes you happy and that it is healthy, but there are many other benefits.

In fact, giving is so good for us that I can think of several other benefits right off the bat: Giving can actually alleviate minor mental illness. Certain forms of it, like formal volunteering, can help you create a winning resume or application for something. Giving can result in personal growth. Giving can help you be a good role model to the young people in your life. And most importantly, giving makes the world a better place for us all to live in. If everyone did their part, maybe we could all reduce the amount of crime, violence, prejudice, and suffering.

Amanda | 5:38 am, January 8, 2011 | Link

“Giving has also been linked to the release of oxytocin, a hormone (also released during sex and breast feeding) that induces feelings of warmth, euphoria, and connection to others. “

I love it! I am forwarding this article to my husby to answer his complains on not enough sex. He is not giving me enough!

Club Wear | 10:41 pm, January 10, 2011 | Link

Wow. I’m really glad I found this article and this site. I’ve been looking for some solid research on why we should give and encourage the act of giving and this site is excellent.

“A 1999 study led by Doug Oman of the University of California, Berkeley, found that elderly people who volunteered for two or more organizations were 44 percent less likely to die over a five-year period than were non-volunteers, even after controlling for their age, exercise habits, general health, and negative health habits like smoking.”

I would love to get this into the minds of general society. How often do we hear about driven people who work all their lives, but quickly die once they retire?

Perhaps engaging voluntary work would not only benefit others, but also prolong the life of the volunteer.

Darren | 12:09 am, August 7, 2011 | Link

I’m a millionaire and I often help my employees during financial hardship. I prefer to spend on others rather than myself.

Mike | 1:28 pm, January 16, 2013 | Link

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77 Donation Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best donation topic ideas & essay examples, 💡 most interesting donation topics to write about, 📌 simple & easy donation essay titles, 👍 good essay topics on donation.

  • Voluntary Blood Donation Importance Thus, voluntary blood donation can save the lives of people. The patients with leucosis need the transfusion every day and they will die without the supply of the donated blood.
  • Blood Donation and Its Advertisement The blood donation advertisements have an overall positive effect on people, as they direct people to save the lives of others, as well as educate others on the useful health details and uses of blood. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
  • Importance of Organ Donation Considering the huge number of people in need of different body organs today, and the many that are dying each day due to organ problems, a socially upright member of our society should not consider […]
  • Sperm Donation and Surrogacy in Islam and Christianity The baby at birth, therefore, is genetically identical to the intended parents than the surrogate mother, as opposed to traditionally surrogacy where the baby bears attributes of the surrogate mother and biological father. This is […]
  • Blood Donation Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages of blood donation include stimulation of the body to manufacture more blood, opportunity to save people’s lives, and health benefits.
  • Social Issues: Charitable Donations These factors include awareness of the need to contribute, solicitation, selflessness, cost of the benefit, status in the society, and personal values.
  • Organ and Blood Donation However, ethical and legal issues, and unwillingness of many potential donors to provide consents have slowed down the rate of organ and blood donation in the county.
  • Organ Transplantation and Donation Since people donate organs to others regardless of their locations, nations need to be cautious in order to avoid spread of diseases in the process.
  • “The Consequences of Excessive Unrequested Donations” by D.M. Neal In general, in his article entitled “The consequences of excessive unrequested donations: the case of Hurricane Andrew”, Neal tries to demonstrate how a great number of unneeded donations to regions where a disaster has just […]
  • Blood Donation Importance The donation may be of particular components of blood only or of blood itself. It is quite challenging to seek a donor of a rare blood type during an emergency and the patient may end […]
  • Organ Donation: Willingness to Donate Organ Among Medical Students In conclusion, organ donation is a vital and life-changing procedure that can help save lives and improve the quality of life for those in need.
  • The COVID-19 Impact on Organ Donation The official statistics of the United States government also support the idea that with the onset of the pandemic, the number of organ transplantation procedures has decreased. The pandemic appears to be the main cause […]
  • Prosocial Behavior, Volunteering, and Donation Nevertheless, it is vital to understand that prosocial behavior is a fundamental factor in contributing to the upbringing of responsible and responsive future generations of the nation, which makes the given subject crucial for discussion.
  • The Organ Donation Legislation Critique She expresses outrage and condemnation of the current organ donation legislation and the politicians who drafted it. If the global majority accepts such a perspective, it will lead to a worldwide spike of violence and […]
  • Researching of Xenograft and Organ Donation Doctors have been searching for methods to save lives all along, and xenograft has shown to be one of the most reliable, particularly when it comes to organ replacement. A xenograft is fraught with dangers, […]
  • Organ Donation: Donor Prevalence in Saudi Arabia Donating organs does not pose a threat to the life of the donor; however, it can save the lives of many other people who need organ transplants.
  • Organ Donation Registry Beginning 16th February 2010 through to the 18th the Ypsilanti Lions club organized the organ donation registry table whose main purpose was to invite people from all walks of life to literally give a piece […]
  • Organ Donation: Postmortem Transplantation The ethicality of such actions has been questioned, as this procedure may be ambiguously perceived by the relatives of the deceased patient and the recipient of organs.
  • The Issue of Compensation for Organ Donation Nevertheless, in spite of the fact that proponents of the compensation for the organ donation indicate obvious advantages of using this approach for the healthcare system, opponents emphasize the unethical character of such approaches.
  • Organ Donation: Ethical and Legal Considerations The other approach is by requesting the family of the deceased to give consent for the donation in a case where the deceased did not permit earlier on.
  • Organ Donation in Saudi Arabia: Survey Results A total of 27 participants answered the questions that were asked in the survey. The problems that are behind the ambiguity that people have over this issue are some of their limitations and perceptions.
  • Charitable Agency Project: Sourcing Donations Another idea we can also consider is approaching the rental firms around the city and talking to them about the possibility of having them work with us in developing a clothes rental discount voucher for […]
  • Organ Donation: Ethical Dilemmas An example of an ethical dilemma surrounding the procedure is the case of rich man vs.poor man, or rather, the case of a person who can afford to buy an organ on the black market […]
  • Blood Donation: Term Definition Is not it better to be the one to donate a blood than be the one who is in need of it?
  • Ethics of Organ Donation After Human Death In reference to this case, the ethical dilemma is related to the fact that the hospital administrator needs to disregard the necessity of informed consent for organ donation.
  • Medical Ethics of Child’s Organ Donation Obviously, the parents are the only people who represent the wishes of the patient in the case. The above-mentioned position seems to be viable when it comes to the concept of the greatest good used […]
  • Gene Patenting and Organ Donation Profitability is the key to violating the law, and that is the reason for the lack of transparency in the tissue market.
  • Organ Donation and Transplantation Medicine Although money and financial support will be a major factor in the process of body transplant that Canavero expects to take two years, pegging human life on money is unethical.
  • Organ Donation Myths: Critical Thought This essay is aimed at subverting three of the most common myths about the subject matter by considering the facts closely, relating them to the values concerning the organ donation, and isolating the issues related […]
  • Organ Donation: Importance Information Because of the improved and advanced technology, the practice of organ transplant is becoming more popular and acceptable in the society.
  • The Case of Stolen Donation Money List of dilemmas to be faced: a tough call As it has been stressed above, the primary dilemma of the given case concerns the choice that the Western Australian Museum CEO have to make in […]
  • Ethical Issues in Organ Donation According to the authors of the study, death is defined as, “the irreversible loss of the integrated and coordinated life of the person as a single living organism”.
  • The Ethics of Organ Donation in Modern World The patient is referred to a transplant center and is to their “dismay” put on a national waiting list, after a “series of interviews, physical and medical tests” to determine the suitability of the recipient […]
  • Pros and Cons of Paying for Organ Donation: Arguments for Prohibition Although the potential of people to purchase organs might bring in profits to health care and increase supply and demand of transplanted organs, the fact of increased supply rates is doubtful because recent surveys prove […]
  • Blood Donation as a Charitable Activity for Society We call it the black age where human miserably fought the worst wars of the human history, taken of vast land just for the cause of creating dominance on the map of the earth or […]
  • The Market of Donation and the Services to Individuals on Charitable Basis. The Health Policy of Blood Donation
  • Solving Shortage in a Priceless Market: Insights from Blood Donation
  • Bioethics on Performing Organ Donation Procedure on Alive Patients
  • Informative Speech Organ Donation and Transplant
  • Why Organ Donation Should Be Encouraged
  • Nursing Perspective on the Issue of Living Organ Donation
  • Psychological Issues Related to Sperm Donation
  • The Organ Donation for the Benefit of the People in the Healthcare of the United States
  • Prevention And Treatment Of Blood Donation
  • When a Precedent of Donation Favors Defection in the Prisoner’s Dilemma
  • The Debate Regarding the Controversial Organ Donation and Transplantation
  • Blood Type and Blood Donation Behaviors: An Empirical Test of Pure Altruism Theory
  • Commercial Plasma Donation and Individual Health in Impoverished Rural China
  • The Discriminatory Nature of the FDA’s Blood Donation Policy
  • The Principal of Family Determination in Organ Donation
  • The Importance of Organ Donation in Society
  • The Impact Of Presumed Consent Law On Organ Donation
  • The Impact of Presumed Consent Legislation on Cadaveric Organ Donation
  • The Ethics of Organ Donation After Cardiac Death
  • Legalizing Financial Incentives For Organ Donation
  • The Ethics of Organ Donation in the Light of Plato’s Moral Philosophy
  • The Red Cross’ Advertisement Promoting Blood Donation
  • The History of Organ Donation and Transplantation
  • We Can Make The System Of Donation Effective Without Such Ethical Risks
  • Resources and Programs Pertaining to the Donation of Organs
  • Application On Blood Vessels Donation Using Android Platform
  • Subsidizing Altruism In Living Organ Donation
  • The Unethical Issues in the Process of Egg Donation
  • Improving Organ Donation Through Clarification and Education
  • The Importance of Legalizing Payment for Organ Donation
  • Applying Sociological Perspectives On Organ Donation
  • The Effect of Presumed Consent Defaults on Organ Donation
  • Who Clicks on Online Donation? Understanding the Characteristics of SNS Users during Participation in Online Campaigns
  • Seven Pounds: Donation and Man’s Humanity
  • Tissue Engineering in Replace of Organ Donation
  • Unofficial Development Assistance: A Dynamic Model of Charities’ Donation Income
  • Using Donation Mechanisms to Value Nonuse Benefits From Public Goods
  • The Life Saving Benefits of Organ Donation
  • Why Cash For Kidneys is Better Than Organ Donation
  • Sperm or Egg Donation and Children’s Rights
  • The Ethical Issues of Organ Donation in the United States
  • The Ultimate Gift: The Gift of life-Organ Donation
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  • Chicago (N-B)

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128 Donation Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Donating to a cause or organization is a selfless act that can make a big impact on those in need. Whether it's giving money, time, or resources, donations can help support important causes and make a difference in the world. If you're looking for inspiration on donation essay topics, look no further! Here are 128 donation essay topic ideas and examples to get you started:

The importance of donating to local charities

How donating blood can save lives

The impact of donating to animal shelters

The benefits of donating to education programs

The role of donations in disaster relief efforts

The power of donating to medical research

How donating to food banks helps fight hunger

The impact of donating to environmental organizations

The benefits of donating to homeless shelters

The importance of donating to LGBTQ+ organizations

The role of donations in supporting veterans

How donating to women's shelters empowers survivors of domestic violence

The impact of donating to mental health organizations

The benefits of donating to arts and culture programs

The power of donating to youth sports programs

How donating to community gardens supports sustainable living

The importance of donating to libraries

The role of donations in supporting refugees

The impact of donating to clean water initiatives

The benefits of donating to disability rights organizations

The importance of donating to LGBTQ+ youth centers

The role of donations in supporting indigenous communities

How donating to animal sanctuaries protects wildlife

The impact of donating to literacy programs

The benefits of donating to LGBTQ+ advocacy groups

The power of donating to mental health hotlines

How donating to community centers supports marginalized communities

The importance of donating to women's health organizations

The role of donations in supporting immigrant rights

The impact of donating to LGBTQ+ homeless shelters

The benefits of donating to addiction recovery programs

The importance of donating to prison reform initiatives

The role of donations in supporting Black-owned businesses

How donating to LGBTQ+ youth shelters provides a safe space for at-risk youth

The impact of donating to transgender healthcare organizations

The benefits of donating to refugee resettlement programs

The power of donating to LGBTQ+ senior centers

How donating to racial justice organizations supports equity and inclusion

The importance of donating to mental health awareness campaigns

The role of donations in supporting LGBTQ+ youth mental health

The impact of donating to LGBTQ+ suicide prevention hotlines

The benefits of donating to LGBTQ+ youth leadership programs

The importance of donating to LGBTQ+ legal defense funds

The role of donations in supporting LGBTQ+ homeless youth

How donating to LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations promotes equality and acceptance

The impact of donating to organizations that support LGBTQ+ refugees

The benefits of donating to LGBTQ+ health clinics

The power of donating to LGBTQ+ youth empowerment programs

How donating to LGBTQ+ arts organizations promotes representation and visibility

The importance of donating to LGBTQ+ history and education initiatives

The role of donations in supporting LGBTQ+ elders

The impact of donating to LGBTQ+ community centers

The benefits of donating to LGBTQ+ youth support groups

The importance of donating to LGBTQ+ scholarship funds

The role of donations in supporting LGBTQ+ mental health resources

How donating to LGBTQ+ housing programs supports safe and inclusive living spaces

The impact of donating to LGBTQ+ cultural festivals and events

The benefits of donating to LGBTQ+ youth mentoring programs

The power of donating to LGBTQ+ sports leagues

How donating to LGBTQ+ film festivals promotes diverse storytelling

The importance of donating to LGBTQ+ art galleries and museums

The role of donations in supporting LGBTQ+ publishing and media outlets

The impact of donating to LGBTQ+ music and performance groups

The benefits of donating to LGBTQ+ theater companies

The power of donating to LGBTQ+ fashion designers and brands

How donating to LGBTQ+ nightlife venues supports safe spaces for the community

The importance of donating to LGBTQ+ history preservation projects

The role of donations in supporting LGBTQ+ activism and advocacy

The impact of donating to LGBTQ+ legal defense organizations

The benefits of donating to LGBTQ+ political campaigns

The power of donating to LGBTQ+ community organizing initiatives

How donating to LGBTQ+ support hotlines provides resources for those in crisis

The importance of donating to LGBTQ+ health clinics and resources

The role of donations in supporting LGBTQ+ youth programs

The impact of donating to LGBTQ+

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essay about donating money

Charity Essay Titles

  • The Eudora Welty’s Story, “A Visit to Charity” and the Use of Irony
  • Charity Organizations’ Role in Assisting the Homeless
  • Which Charity Credit Cards Deserve Your Support?
  • World Vision Is a Christian Humanitarian Organization
  • Seller Charity and the Benefits of Reputation in an Online Marketplace
  • The Reasons Why Christians Should Donate to Charity
  • The Poor’s Charity in Contrast to the Rich’s Greed
  • Views on Charity in the Nineteenth Century as Depicted in Charlotte Bronte’s Life and Novel, Jane Eyre
  • From Charity to Confrontation: The Disability Rights Movement
  • Evidence from a Non-Secular Charity on Subsidizing Charitable Contributions in the Field
  • A Visit to Charity Messages and Old Mrs. Chundle
  • The Spanish Empire’s Charitable Bonds: the Casa De Contratación as a Charity Institution
  • Analysis of Charles Péguy’s Charity Mysteries
  • What Is Fraud, and What Is Charity in More Detail
  • The Misconceived Definition That the Society Holds for Charity in Herman Melville’s Bartleby
  • Lions Club of South Carolina Charity Services
  • The Scarlet Letter and a Christian Charity Model
  • Carnegie and Emerson on Charity and the American Dream
  • Old Values in Mary Rowlandson’s “The Sovereignty and Goodness of God” and John Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity”
  • The Connections Between Christianity And Charity
  • Understanding Catholic Charities in the USA and the Church-Charity Relationship
  • A Charity Hockey Pool’s Negotiation Experience at Work
  • Working for or with the Binghamton Tennis Charity
  • Why Donating Money to Charity Is a Good Idea

Essay Topics on Charity

  • What a Billionaire Should Give and What You Should Give: Peter Singer’s Charity Opinions
  • The Civil War Service of the Sisters of Charity
  • Is There a Charity Hazard in Natural Disasters and Government Aid?
  • Charity Public Funding and Competitive Charity Selection
  • Raising Awareness for Charity Fundraising Initiatives
  • The Social Role of Non-Profit Organizations: Hospital Charity Care Provision
  • The Effect of Government-Funded Initiatives on Charitable Giving
  • Raising Funds for Charities: Auctions vs. Lotteries
  • The Theme of Charity and the Use of Language in Cyprus Avenue, a Short Story by Lucy Caldwell
  • The Cincinnati Sisters of Charity’s Values
  • How to Host a Successful Charity Fundraiser
  • A Summary of Catholic Teachings on Wealth, Poverty, and Charity
  • A Puritan Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop
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  • The Charity Commission Is Being Politicized
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  • Peter Singer and John Arthur’s Moral Obligations Concerning Charity
  • International Charity Subject to Asymmetric Information
  • John Davison Rockefeller’s Life, Charity Work, and Monopoly
  • Understanding Thrift Stores and the Salvation Army Thrift Store and Its Purpose in Raising Charity Funds
  • Techniques Used by Charity Adverts Cartoons and Cribs to Capture the Attention of Their Audiences
  • Why Do Corporations Donate to Charities?
  • Create A Formal Essay That Examines How the WWF Leaflet Persuades Its Readers To Make A Donation To The Charity

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July 25, 2017

Wealthy People Give to Charity for Different Reasons Than the Rest of Us

Charitable appeals work best when tailored to how people see themselves

By Daisy Grewal

What motivates people to give to charity? Surprisingly, the most obvious answers to this question have been difficult to prove. For example, having a desire to give is often not enough: many people who express a strong intention to make charitable donations often fail to follow through on their intentions . The research is also mixed on whether people with more money are more likely to give it away. While some studies suggest that wealthier people are more likely to donate money, other studies do not.

A recent paper by psychologists Ashley Whillans, Eugene Caruso, and Elizabeth Dunn suggests a potential new explanation as to what motivates people to give to charity. When a donation request resonates strongly with our self-image, they argue, we are more likely to feel charitable. Across three studies, they found that people who earn less money are more likely to donate to charity when presented with a request that emphasizes social connection and community. In contrast, wealthier individuals are more likely to give money when presented with a request that appeals to their sense of independence and self-reliance. Whether you behave selfishly or generously may depend less on what you have and more on whether a request for help fits with how you see yourself.

The researchers’ first study examined the behavior of people who visited the website for The Life You Can Save , an organization that promotes charities dedicated to ending extreme poverty. Website visitors were asked to participate in a survey in exchange for a complimentary book, and a total of 185 (58% female) online visitors were successfully recruited for the study. The survey asked participants to report their gender, age, ethnicity, and household income. Participants then read one of two donation appeals. Half of the participants read an “agentic” appeal that characterized The Life You Can Save as an organization that spreads “knowledge of what each person can do individually to reduce poverty.” The other participants read a “communal” appeal that said the organization spreads “knowledge of what all of us can do together to reduce poverty.”

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After reading one of these two appeals, participants were given the opportunity to click on a link labeled “Donate Today” that took them to a new webpage where they could make a donation. They found that the wealthier participants, as defined by those with an income of $90,000 or above, were more likely to click the “Donate Today” link when presented with the agentic appeal that talked about what each person can do individually to help poverty. Less wealthy participants, or those earning $40,000 or less, were more likely to click the donation link when presented with the communal appeal that referenced what everyone can do together to reduce poverty. The researchers found no relationship between clicking on the donation link and gender, ethnicity, or age.

The finding is telling, but the study was limited because they were unable to prove that the wealthier participants actually did donate money after seeing the agentic appeal that emphasized individualism. (Technical restrictions made it impossible for the researchers to determine whether those who clicked on the donation link actually gave money.) To try and make a stronger case for their hypothesis, they ran two additional experiments in public places. One study recruited 474 participants who were visiting a science museum in Vancouver, Canada. Participants first completed the same survey asking them about their background and income, as described in the previous study. And, as in the previous study, they were asked to read either the agentic or communal appeal to donate to charity. They were then told they were being entered into a lottery for the chance to win $100 and had the option to donate some of their winnings to charity.  It was explained that the decision to donate was binding if they did end up winning.

Approximately 87% of all the participants chose to donate at least some of their potential winnings to charity. Wealthier participants appeared more generous after reading the agentic appeal – it led them to donate more of their winnings to charity.  Less wealthy individuals donated more after being presented with the communal appeal. Once again, other characteristics of the participants, such as their age and gender, had no relationship with how much they chose to donate.

Why would wealthier individuals feel more generous when presented with the agentic appeal? Past research has shown that people with higher incomes tend to have a greater sense of personal control. Money allows people to meet their personal goals without needing to rely so much on others, and this may affect how they see themselves. Research also shows that people with lower incomes tend to see themselves as more connected to others, maybe because they need to rely more other people in their everyday lives. These findings have led some researchers to speculate that as people become wealthier, their caring and compassion for others decreases . However, the present research suggests this may not be the whole story. Wealthy people do demonstrate high levels of caring when a request for help resonates with their greater sense of personal control. By emphasizing individual impact, charitable messages might be more effective at motivating wealthier people to act generously.

Of course, more research is needed to figure out whether tailoring messages matters for other kinds of giving aside from donating money. It would be useful to know if the same type of framing also affects whether people commit to volunteering their time or donating blood. Still, these findings point towards new possibilities for helping non-profits and other charitable organizations figure out how to make appeals that have the highest possible chances of success.

Daisy Grewal holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in social psychology from Yale University. She is a research scientist on the people analytics team at Intuit in Mountain View, Calif.

IELTS Essays Volume 7 Topic 43: Donating Money to Charity Essay – discuss two opinions

  • Post author By CITY IELTS
  • Post date 13th December 2019

Some people prefer to provide help and support directly to those in need. Others however prefer to give money to national and international charitable organisations. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Giving money to those in need can be a personally satisfying experience, but there is a choice between donating nationally and internationally through charities or giving directly to those around you. This essay will consider the merits of both approaches. 

The first advantage of providing direct support is that you can know exactly how your money is being spent. For example, if you give money directly to people in your local village or town, you can see where it has gone. When you donate to larger charitable organisations, on the other hand, you are not sure how much will actually be given to those in need as opposed going on other costs such as administration and expensive marketing campaigns. Another benefit is that you can see the impacts on those you are helping, which can lead not only to great personal satisfaction but also to respect from others in the local community who appreciate the work you do.

There are advantages, however, in giving to charities that are national and international. First and foremost there is the choice of good causes. Locally the kinds of places to help may be limited, but in larger organisations you can get involved in such activities as sponsoring a child or conserving wildlife. Not only this, donating to larger charities with an international reach means having the knowledge that you are involved in issues of fundamental global importance, such as curing diseases and human rights, or helping those caught up in tragic environmental events, such as flooding, earthquakes and famines. 

In conclusion, given the benefits of both, I would argue that an individual should make their own choice based on their personal preferences and whichever provides them with the most personal satisfaction. What is crucial is that we continue to give to those who are more in need than ourselves. 

(306 Words)

This donating money to charity essay should achieve a high IELTS score in the test for a number of reasons.

Firstly the  introduction  opens by letting the reader know what the  topic  is and the two sides of the argument under consideration.

This is then followed by a clear  thesis statement  to clarify what the essay is going to do. 

  • This essay will consider the merits of both approaches. 

Coherence and cohesion  are good because it’s very easy to read and follow the arguments in each paragraph and to see clearly that each body paragraph has one controlling idea i.e.

  • Body 1 : Benefits of providing help and support directly to those in need
  • Body 2:  Benefits of donating to national and international charities

Transitional phrases  and  words  are also used well to guide the user through the ideas:

  • The first advantage of providing direct support is…
  • For example…
  • …on the other hand…
  • Another benefit is that…
  • …not only..but also…
  • There are advantages, however,…
  • First and foremost…
  • Not only this,…
  • In conclusion,…

The conclusion gives the writer’s opinion very clearly.

The essay also has a wide range of grammatical structures and a high level of grammatical accuracy. 

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Donation Essay Examples

Arguments of why charity is essential for society.

To start with, in charity essay this topic is briefly discussed by an author. There are strong evidences that show donations or contributions have persisted across the stages of human species evolution. Since the beginning of time the world has become unequal in all aspects...

Socio-psychological Reasons of Donation to Natural Disasters Relief

In 2018, 315 natural disasters were recorded, with over 68 million people affected and approximately 12,000 deaths (Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, 2018). Comparisons show that the number of disasters has significantly increased over the past 25 years (Than, 2005). On 2nd...

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