I researched about the reasons why people give. I found out three major reasons:
Bayanihan Foundation partners with the Zakat Foundation and the Rotary Club Iligan East to distribute food packages to need Filipino Muslim families in Iligan, Philippines
- They Want to Help Others – Altruism
- Intent to help others without benefit of one’s self
- Willingness to sacrifice one’s welfare without reward
- Feelings of compassion and duty
(far right) Dale Asis serving food to the homeless on Thanksgiving Day (Nov 24, 2011)
- They Want To Feel Good/ “Warm Glow” Theory
- Personal satisfaction that act of giving brings
- “Warm glow” from making the contribution
- Personal feelings of obligation and identity
Diversity and Philanthropy Book Cover (courtesy of Amazon.com)
- They Want A Return on Investment
- Businesses and corporations see it as a form of investment
- They need some measurable return from their philanthropic activity
But I think diaspora giving decisions are motivated with their hearts instead of their heads. This is one of its strengths-and a potential challenge. This “feel good” attachment is combined with a larger sense of obligation, either motivated by social duty or community obligation.
Personally, I give because I wanted to help. It gives me the “warm glow” and good feeling that I’ve helped someone. I know that some people have doubted my motivations at times. They say that I have an ulterior motive; that I wanted to run for office; or I wanted to aggrandize my name. But for the last five years, what really motivates me to give is simple – I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life.
Why do you give? Why do you help someone? Share your thoughts. I wanted to hear.
Selected References
Lainer-Vos, D. (2012). Manufacturing national attachments: Gift-giving, market exchange and the construction of Irish and Zionist diaspora bonds. Theory and Society; Renewal and Critique in Social Theory, 41(1), 73-106. doi:10.1007/s11186-011-9157-1
Little, H. (2010). The role of private assistance in international development. New York University Journal of International Law and Politics, 42(4), 1091-1109.
