Creating A Culture of Giving

Chapter 5Understanding how seeing others give makes one more charitable

The 50% League

• “The 50% league shows that with the right support from like-minded friends, some people will do much more than we would have believed possible-more, even, than they themselves believed they could give.” pg 64

Opt Out System

• “12% of the German population is registered to become organ donors, while in Austria the comparable figure is 99.98%” pg 70

• Companies that use opt out systems for retirement saving programs find that many more people participate. Could the same be done for donating?

• Do you think it is deceitful for companies to use opt out systems so that employees give to charity?

Theory of Self-Interest

• Undeniably selfless behavior makes us uncomfortable.

• How often do you think that people that give to charity are acting out of self-interest?

• Even if people are giving out of self-interest, is it wrong?

Madonna holding her adopted child

Putting a Face on the Needy

• People are very reluctant to give unless they have an “identifiable person”. The Foster Parents Plan does this by sending pictures of the child and letters written by them to the donors

• Is sponsoring one person an effective way of donating?

When Others Give, You Give

• During a funding drive, callers that were told about other generous donations gave substantially more than those who were not told.

• After the securities trader Bear Stearns made it mandatory for employees to give to charity, many other large companies began doing the same.