Giving decisions can be difficult
There are many structural obstacles to good giving decisions. A recent study of the nonprofit marketplace observed that “data measuring outcomes for beneficiaries are notoriously difficult to capture. Moreover, there is no uniformly accepted way to measure social impact, and no single repository for information about nonprofit activities and results. This information-poor environment makes it difficult to have honest conversations about performance, limiting opportunities for learning and improvement.”[1]
Human nature also make it difficult to be a great donor. Donors are motivated by many unconscious factors, even when they’d rather not be. Emotional appeals, such as the picture of a suffering child, evoke generosity. But that emotional connection can be diminished by the very information needed to make strategic giving decisions. Researchers observe that “there is mounting evidence that thinking and deciding in a calculating manner, as would seem to be required when processing information about the objective scope of human suffering, can directly undermine emotions that can lead people to make charitable donations.”[2] Donors are also normal people, with busy lives. Most donors want to research their giving decisions, but few find the time to do so, and even fewer are able to locate pertinent information.
Human nature also make it difficult to be a great donor. Donors are motivated by many unconscious factors, even when they’d rather not be. Emotional appeals, such as the picture of a suffering child, evoke generosity. But that emotional connection can be diminished by the very information needed to make strategic giving decisions. Researchers observe that “there is mounting evidence that thinking and deciding in a calculating manner, as would seem to be required when processing information about the objective scope of human suffering, can directly undermine emotions that can lead people to make charitable donations.”[2] Donors are also normal people, with busy lives. Most donors want to research their giving decisions, but few find the time to do so, and even fewer are able to locate pertinent information.
But it's easier to be a great donor than ever before
Charity evaluators like GiveWell.org and GuideStar.org are moving beyond simplistic metrics like overhead ratios, and are providing donors with meaningful assessments of non-profit performance.
Technology is also connecting individual donors, and helping them find networks of like-minded people. Groups like Giving What We Can, They Life You Can Save, The High Impact NetworK (THINK), and Bolder Giving help people passionate about philanthropy share their ideas and inspiration. Community members aid each other to become happier, more effective givers.
Researchers are helping by finding ways to encourage better giving by studying the "choice architecture" that surrounds giving decisions. These insights can be used to encourage giving by making it more enjoyable.
Giving Games provide a way to introduce new people to these resources and the joys of effective giving. Learn how you can Get Involved, or play an online Giving Game today!
Technology is also connecting individual donors, and helping them find networks of like-minded people. Groups like Giving What We Can, They Life You Can Save, The High Impact NetworK (THINK), and Bolder Giving help people passionate about philanthropy share their ideas and inspiration. Community members aid each other to become happier, more effective givers.
Researchers are helping by finding ways to encourage better giving by studying the "choice architecture" that surrounds giving decisions. These insights can be used to encourage giving by making it more enjoyable.
Giving Games provide a way to introduce new people to these resources and the joys of effective giving. Learn how you can Get Involved, or play an online Giving Game today!
[1] The Nonprofit Marketplace: Bridging the Information Gap in Philanthropy. Hewlett Foundation white paper.
[2] From "Donate Different" by Huber, Van Boven, and McGraw. Chapter 11 of The Science of Giving.
[2] From "Donate Different" by Huber, Van Boven, and McGraw. Chapter 11 of The Science of Giving.