Here are some reasons people support causes and nonprofits with money. Credit to Seth Godin for inspiration with the title and format. The first example is straight from his list of reasons I spread your idea and a lot of his other points apply here too.
- I give to your cause because it makes me feel generous.
- …because I was asked.
- …because I want to show support for a friend who is involved.
- …because I want to be recognized.
- …because I don’t want to look like a tool when my friends who did give realize my name isn’t in the dinner pamphlet.
- …because I have a personal connection or stake in the challenge you focus on and the solution your organization is working for.
- …because you inspire me.
- …because I identify with your story.
- …because I need the tax deduction.
- …because my spouse volunteers with you or sits on your board of directors.
- …because I want the prestige of sitting on your board of directors.
- …because I want the T-Shirt (mug, calendar, raffle prize).
- …because I was in a giving mood at the check-out counter.
- …because I want to pay the benefit I got from your organization forward.
- …because your organization’s professional staff are so nice to me.
- …because it’s automatic or it’s not my money anyway. Businesses I patronize have pledged a percentage of their proceeds to your cause. (See Facebook’s new Charity Deals feature that’s now integrated into Facebook Places.)
- …because your changing the world somehow and I want you to keep on making changes.
- …because giving makes me feel cool.
- …because giving makes me feel hopeful.
- …because giving makes me feel part of a community.
