Scott Storick on How to Nudge People to Give More to Charity

It's no secret that giving to charity is an important part of life. For example, many people simply wouldn't have their basic needs met if people didn't donate to charity. Charity also helps the giver by providing a sense of purpose and satisfaction. This is why charitable donations should increase in the world. Unfortunately, people sometimes need a little nudge to make that increase happen. Thankfully, there are ways people can be encouraged to give more.

Tax Benefits

It should be explained to potential donors that their charitable donations often have tax benefits. For example, a donation to a local hospital can often be written off as a tax deduction. If the increased donation is framed as a way to save money on future tax payments, many people will be nudged in that direction.

Explain the Uses

People should be forthright about how past donations to a particular charity have been used. Nobody likes to see their money disappear down a black hole. If a donor can see the tangible results of his or her past donations, he or she may be nudged into giving more. This is because people love to see results, and the donor will recognize that increased donations will provide increased results.

Be Direct

Many charitable experts suggest it is always best to be upfront and direct about donations. For example, people should resist the temptation to beat around the bush and hope that a person will figure out people would like them to donate more to a cause. It is far better to explicitly state the amount of money a charity is looking for from a specific donor. This directness saves times, promotes respect, and is often successful.

Use Behavioral Science

Scientific research has shown successful ways to nudge people into giving more. For example, a study by UCLA and the University of Chicago showed that people enjoy committing to increased donations in the future instead of writing an increased donation check right away on the spot. This is because a promised increased provides warmth and satisfaction in the present, and that feeling isn't dampened by the immediate loss of writing a check.

If someone is looking to nudge someone into donating a bit more, he or she should use the tips outlined above. They just might be successful!

Scott Storick is a financial representative who is living in Boca Raton, Florida. He is a huge believer in giving back and is always looking for a way to help out his local community. On top of his professional career in finance, Scott Storick is also a dedicated husband and father and a self-professed foodie. Living in Southern Florida, he has an amazing food scene at his disposal and takes full advantage of it as often as he can.