Why Donations to Charity are Important

Charitable organizations exist to support and raise funds for a specific group of people. There are numerous charities that support a wide variety of causes such as children in various locations, sufferers of various diseases, homeless people and disadvantaged people at home and overseas. These organizations depend on the generosity of the general community to make donations to charity of money, goods and services, in order that they can carry out their work. Many charities are completely self-funded while others receive some government funding.

Throughout history, money has been donated to the needy, as well as food, clothing, tools, bedding etc. These donations were often organized through the Church and it was considered the duty of the wealthier classes and merchants to give to the poor. These days, this generous attitude to giving to the needy is not so well defined. People don’t know how to help or how to make sure their donation goes towards the cause and not just to charity operating expenses.

Why is it important that we donate to charity? Here are just 5 good reasons:

  1. Help other people – there are millions of people in the world who are worse of than we are at any one time. Many of these folk have problems that are not their fault or are beyond their ability to prevent or change. Humans are a social animal and the best way for mankind to advance is by helping those who are unable to help themselves. We have a responsibility to care for other people, to help those less fortunate than ourselves. When we have some spare cash, time or goods, it is an opportunity to help out.
  2. Make a difference – donating to charity is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in the world. By making a difference to someone’s life, you are leaving behind a legacy. You are making a statement that your life was worthwhile because you made a contribution to society.
  3. Feel good – medical and scientific research has proven beyond doubt that giving to other people makes you feel good. The feeling of satisfaction you get when you help someone else is hard to replicate with any other type of activity or endeavor. People who give feel happier, are less anxious and suffer less depression than those who don’t. Better health is enjoyed by those who donate their time, expertise or money to others who are in need. Charitable people tend to be able to cope with their own problems more easily than those who don’t donate. Giving to others improves your self-esteem, self confidence and self worth. This advantage flows into all areas of your life so you will find that you are more confident at work and in social situations.
  4. Support a cause you believe in – different charities touch the heart of different people. If you are passionate about something or believe that a certain area is important, you will be able to support that cause by donating to charity. You might be passionate about every child having access to a good education; that nobody should live in poverty in the 21st century; that everyone should be able to experience music or art. Whatever you believe in or are passionate about, you will be able to further the cause through donations to charity.
  5. Meet new people – donations to charity give you the opportunity to met new people and expand your circle of acquaintances. This is especially true when you donate your time or expertise to a worthy cause. While most charitable organizations always need money, many could not operate without an army of volunteers. Whether you give up your time one day a week to serve meals, give a few hours a day to sit with the elderly or travel overseas to help build houses, you will certainly meet many like-minded people along the way. As well as being potential friends, who knows where these new relationships will take you and how these new people might be able to help you in the future? 

So shed any doubts you have about why donations to charity are so important and offer your time or money to a cause you believe in. Many other people will benefit but you will also benefit in so many ways.

So, is giving to charity important in your life? What kinds of things do you do to make a difference for others?


Comments

Why Donations to Charity are Important — 50 Comments

      • I hear Starbucks also does this — they intentionally place Starbucks in location where crime rates are higher. I think it’s commendable. They make sure they pour money into the community where they are located. I think everyone needs to make a concerted effort to volunteer or work at an inner city school. If we don’t things will continue to go downhill.

  1. I really hate giving money because I have seen too many “charities” use their funding more for administrative and other questionable uses than for the people it was set up to help. Instead, I prefer giving my time, this way, I know that my donation is being used in a way that I can agree with, while seeing first hand the effects on another person.

    • Good for you- finding a way to donate that you are comfortable with. You are right- there are some charities that have lost balance of operation costs and looking after the cause. I also like to donate my time- I find I learn so much from being involved hands on.

      • I also like the fact that I have a direct impact on people. Nothing beats being able to help someone right then and there, not months down the road when the monetary donations are finally distributed (if ever). Plus I think people should try to make real-life connections rather than just texting in a donation or filling out a form on the web…it’s good for the soul.

    • This is why you should use GuideStar, Charity Navigator, or another third-party group to evaluate the charity that you give to. There is no reason for some “charities” being poorly run for you not to give to those that are well run. All my time really does nothing to fill a hungry belly beyond the one local homeless shelter that we support. My money feeds children on four continents.

      Charity shouldn’t be an either/or. We should give goods, time, and money.

  2. It’s very important to us too. We have a set amount of our budget for charitable giving, and it’s sacred. We personally feel a moral obligation to do this more as we progress in our lives and are happy to be in the position that we are in.

  3. I’m more happy to donate to a local soup kitchen than to an established charity that spends a portion of donations for litigation.

    (Susan Komen sues anyone who uses pink ribbons for collecting money for breast cancer research and they are unapologetic).

    • You are right. Unfortunately many established charities have gotten into a pickle with spending more money on administration than the cause which is not good. There is definitely a need to improve this and regain a better balance.

      Good work with the soup kitchen. I help out at a teen clinic and I really like it.

  4. Giving just makes you feel generoius and great. I think it makes you feel better about yourself to gift. I love it, and hope to be in a position one day to give more than I do today. I appreciate your recent articles on gifitng Miss T.

    • Thanks Hunter. It is something that is really important to me in my life. I too want to be able to give more in the future. Ideally I want to live a life that contributes to the greater good in different ways. You are right too- giving is such a great feeling.

  5. Charity is really important in the YFS household. We actually have a 503c non-profit called uplifting sisters 🙂 We sent tons of underprivileged girls to the prom last year. It’s hard work but well worth it.

  6. I feel strongly that we all have a responsibility to help those in need. There are so many ways you can help so there is no excuse. You can volunteer your time to help at a food bank or homeless kitchen. We give to several charities including KIVA. KIVA allows you to directly loan funds to individuals suffering from poverty. It’s a great way to help others out.

    • I have heard of KIVA but haven’t gotten around to really exploring it. I need to make that a priority.

      I totally agree with you. There are many ways one can help and that we shouldn’t try to find reasons why we can’t. This world would be such a better place if people concentrated on helping others. Glad to hear you make donating a priority in your house.

  7. I donate to charity annually, but mainly in the form of friends asking me for donations for when they Run for Breast Cancer, or for other causes. If no one approaches me (which is rare), I just donate to my favourite causes.

    Also, getting a tax receipt from the charitable donation doesn’t hurt too! 😉

    • We do a combination just like you. We help out friends and family but also do things on our own. Just this month I donated to a local women’s shelter and to a friends Movember campaign. Yes it nice to be rewarded for your good deeds with a tax receipt. I think we should get even more of a tax break though. We are using our money for good causes.

  8. Donating is a big way of making you fell good about life. Its like your making up for the bad things the world is inflicting on itself. I donate every month to children at savekids.comuv.com. I find that the dollar I spent made a difference to someone. Recognise people, recognise that we are all human and we need a helping hand, Some more than others.

  9. Why charity is important, it is because through this one can make a big difference and also one that can help homeless people and the needy.

  10. I do not understand charity giving. I have read through this web site and all of the comments. Our governments take a large slice of our income and what is left over is deemed to be ‘after tax’ money. This money is then given away. Does not make sense.

    Our government gives billions of dollars away for foreign countries, countries which will have little or no impact on our own population. Countries far away from us and who also think we are total idiots for giving them free money.

    I think personally that charitable organizations are hosing us.
    They are taking the easy way out and taking our after tax money.
    They should be lobbing the government against foreign aid and sucking of the breast of tax payer remittance instead of stealing form the working class.

  11. The act of helping others can create an improved sense of well-being. When you give to charity as you are able to help other people, you make a difference in the society, you feel good about yourself, you can support a cause that you believe in and you get to meet new individuals.

  12. All religion and saints teach us that charity is the best thing we can do with our money. Helping someone less fortunate is always a good thing. I hope and wish more millionaire come forward and do more charity.

  13. I really agree on this piece of information. I was researching for my homework when I saw this essay and it really helps me! I also realize that many parts of this essay make sense. ?

  14. I really agree on this piece of information. I was researching for my homework when I saw this essay and it really helps me! I also realize that many parts of this essay make sense. ?

  15. I love the idea of donating to charity. Like you said, doing so can really make a difference for society and for those in need. We don’t have a ton of extra money, but I still think we can make some donations.

  16. As, a non profit organization we know how important donation is. Donations not only enable us to make a difference in many lives but help us reduce poverty from society by providing quality education to those children’s who can’t afford. Donations enable us to provide healthcare facility to poor people so they can enjoy their lives.

  17. I like when you explained how we’re able to support the things we’re passionate about and believe in by donating to specific charities and organizations. Lately I’ve been feeling like I should do more to show my support to local veterans. Thanks for sharing this article and giving me the idea to donate to the memorial causes I’m passionate about.

  18. I like how you connected leaving behind a legacy with donating to charity. Nobody wants to live a life that won’t be remembered. I agree that donating to charity is a great way to make one feel better about themself and to leave their mark on society. You did a great job of explaining the benefits of donating to any charity.

  19. We do a blend simply like you. We help out loved ones yet additionally get things done individually. Simply this month I gave to a nearby ladies’ safe house and to a companions Movember battle. Indeed it pleasant to be compensated for your great deeds with an assessment receipt. I figure we ought to get much to a greater extent a tax reduction however. We are utilizing our cash for good aims.

  20. Wonderful information aboutdonations charity important, thanks a lot for sharing kind of content with us. Your blog gives the best and the most interesting information. I wonder if we can gather such practical information about it, a great post definitely to come across.

  21. I found it interesting how you mentioned that it can be difficult to get the feeling of satisfaction of donating over any other endeavor or activity. My brother is considering looking for a charitable donation because he’s considering donating a vehicle of his that he rarely uses. It seems reasonable for my brother to contemplate finding a reputable charity to donate his vehicle so that they can find a good use for it to help other people.

  22. I liked how you mentioned that you can make a difference in someone’s life by donating to charity. My wife and I are wanting to do more good in the world and we were wondering how we could make a difference in someone’s life. I’ll be sure to tell her that we should try donating to a charity to make a difference in someone’s life.

  23. Thanks for making me realize that donations given to charity can make all the difference in the world. I saw an online ad yesterday asking for people who might be interested in making hungry children as their beneficiaries, along with the photo of an auctioneer. I’d be interested to know more about this industry and see how I can help other people through this method.

  24. It’s interesting that you mention that people who donate to charity tend to feel happier in their lives. I’ve been looking for a way to become happier, so I’m considering donating some money to charity this year. I’m going to look around for a good charity to which to donate.

  25. It’s awesome that this article talked about how donating to charity can make a difference in the world. I’d be interested to learn more about how we can really make a chance to who needs it the most. I appreciate you helping me learn more about why it’s important to donate to charity, and how in doing so, we can support a cause you believe in.

  26. You made a great point when you said that donating to a charity gives you the opportunity to support a cause you believe in. Since my siblings and I had a hard time during our youth with our own education and often found ourselves having to work at a young age to even study it would be nice to help kids in a similar situation as we were. This coming Christmas, it may be better for us to find a donation program for child education that we can donate to as it would really play into the season of giving a lot more than just doing the same thing we do every year.

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