Charity awareness through generations. Evolution of charities. Millennials vs Gen Z.

Charity is the voluntary act of giving help to those in need. Charities has been part of human culture for thousands of years, and has evolved over time in different ways. Here are just some of the key points in the history of charitable giving:

• 2500 BCE : The ancient Egyptians had a system of maat, which required the wealthy to share their surplus with the poor and the needy.

• 500 BCE : The word "philanthropy" first appears in the drama "Prometheus Bound" by Aeschylus, meaning "love of humanity".

• 387 BCE : Plato's Academy, a group working for the public good on a voluntary basis, is established.

• 28 BCE : The first Roman emperor, Augustus, gives public aid to an estimated 200,000 people in his empire.

• 10th century : King Athelstan of England founds the first recorded almshouse in York.

• 11th century : The Knights Hospitaller, a Catholic military order that provides hospice care to pilgrims and crusaders, is founded in Jerusalem.

• 1180 : Moses Maimonides authors "Mishneh Torah", which includes the Eight Levels of Charity.

• 1601 : The Charitable Uses Act of 1601 is enacted by Parliament, identifying what purposes can be defined as charitable.

• 1643 : The first American fundraising drive is organized by Harvard University, raising 500 pounds.

• 1727 : The Sisters of Charity provide social assistance to the needy in Latin America.

• 1739 : Thomas Coram establishes the Foundling Hospital in London, a home for abandoned children.

• 1863 : Henry Dunant founds the Red Cross, a global network of national societies that provide emergency assistance to people affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters.

• 1865 : William Booth founds the Salvation Army, a Christian movement that serves the poor, the homeless, the addicted and the oppressed.

• 1942 : A group of Oxford academics founds Oxfam, an international confederation of organizations that work to end poverty, inequality and injustice.

• 1946 : The United Nations founds UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund that works to protect and improve the lives of children and their families around the world.

• 2010 : Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester found GoFundMe, a website that allows anyone to create a fundraising campaign for any personal or charitable purpose.

• 2023 : 2 young people, with the help of many volunteers across the globe, founded Heart's Calling, charitable organisation that helps children and older people from India, countries in Africa and many other to escape the poverty and much more than that.

Why people donate today?

A study recently published in The Journal of Consumer Research suggests that people who can empathize with a charitable cause are more likely to give to that specific cause.

In four separate studies, researchers asked volunteers for donations to various charities. The studies found that the volunteers consistently showed a greater willingness to donate to the charity that most closely matched their own set of personal values.

Let us know what are your reasons for charitable giving!😊

Important to know:

"People act from the heart, not the head. While it is important to show your potential donors that your organization is a good steward of their donation dollars, it is equally important to show how your cause appeals to their personal beliefs and emotions.

The act of giving is immediate. Ensure that any appeal to your donors has the ability for your audience to make an immediate donation. While your relationship with your donors is long-term, their desire to donate may be fleeting."

Millennials vs Gen Z. Who is more motivated to donate?

Millennials and Gen Z are two generations that have different approaches to charitable giving. Millennials tend to save their credit card rewards for big purchases or experiences, while Gen Z uses them more frequently and even donates them to causes they care about.

Millennials are also more likely to give to new causes when they see a pressing need in the news or a timely appeal from an organization. Gen Z, on the other hand, prefers to support causes that align with their values and passions, such as environmental issues and women’s shelters.

Both generations are generous and impact-driven, but they have different preferences and motivations for giving.

Written by Pavle Đurakić for Hearts` Calling

Sources: https://blog.winspireme.com/a-brief-history-of-charitable-giving-infographic https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2021/12/27/the-future-of-giving-trends-shaping-next-gen-philanthropy/

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Written by Pavle