Every society with a sense of social responsibility has acknowledged the importance of donations. Donating is a part of giving back to a cause bigger than ourselves and contributing to bettering our society. Even the smallest of donations can bring a sense of fulfillment and have a great impact, especially on NGOs that run on high-cost projects. Maybe you want to donate for personal reasons, or because you are an advocate for a specific cause, either wat the benefits of donating are tremendous for ourselves and our society.
Why you should donate
Motivation is the driving force of every donation and can differentiate according to every individual. Motivating factors are the patchwork of beliefs, personal experiences and the environment we are surrounded by.
According to Trust Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy, conducted in partnership with Indiana University, these are the main motivating factors for donating:
- Believing in the mission of the organization (54%)
- Believing that their gift can make a difference (44%)
- Experiencing personal satisfaction, enjoyment or fulfilment (39%)
- Supporting the same causes annually (36%)
- Giving back to the community (27%)
- Adhering to religious beliefs (23%) [ref]
How to donate to NGOs
No matter what your motivation is, sometimes it is very difficult to decide where and how to donate. Here are some tips to get started:
- Decide on the cause you want to contribute to.
There are thousands of organizations advocating for different causes so the most important part of donating is choosing the cause you want to support. Donations should come from the heart and have a personal meaning to the donor.
- Research NGOs and other organizations that work with this specific cause.
After choosing your cause it is easier to decide which organization you want to support. This step requires thorough research and evaluation of different organizations.
- Decide what type of donation you want to make.
Depending on the donor, the cause, or the organization, donations can vary. Make sure you make the right decision on what type of donation you want to make.
Types of Donations
There are many different types of donations. The most common type of donation is a one-time donation which is usually a monetary donation. Sometimes donors turn their one-time donation into recurring donations which make it easier for organizations to plan their actions and budgets. Donations are not necessarily money-related but can take the form of any other contribution. For example, in-kind donations can be either goods, services, or even time. Other types of donations include donations of property, stocks, or donations in the memory of loved ones.
Overall, donations are extremely important in order to help NGOs fund their operations and complete their mission, but donating can also have a great impact on a personal level. Donating can give the donor a feeling of fulfillment and can create an impact in our closest environment as the donating culture is contagious and can inspire other people to contribute to a cause as well. Additionally, donating is a successful way to cultivate new generations into generous behavior and social responsibility and build a future of prosperity and hope.
Thinking of donating to an NGO? Check the overview of NGOs in the UK on our website.
Do you wish to volunteer? Check how to start volunteering in an NGO.
Written by Eleni Adamopoulou
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