Why Do People Give? Three Reasons Why

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

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

  1. 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)

(far right) Dale Asis serving food to the homeless on Thanksgiving Day (Nov 24, 2011)

  1. 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)

Diversity and Philanthropy Book Cover (courtesy of Amazon.com)

  1. 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.

About daleasis

President of the Bayanihan Foundation Worldwide
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