Online Giving
A Look @ 21st Century Giving
Recently we took a look at online giving trends and the impact of the recession on charitable giving. Although giving to charity has slowed,
“Online giving is growing exponentially each year, from $250 million in 2000 to more than $4.5 billion in 2005.” (ePhilanthropy Foundation, 2006)
Donors are now turning to the web to give – finding that online giving is a more effective way to connect to the causes they care most about.
With internet technology and personal computers having been around for just over a decade or so, online giving has only recently gained recognition and popularity among donors.
With that said, online giving is one of the most remarkable pioneers of the 21st century given the infancy of its existence and global impact within such a short period of time.
This post is the first in a series of posts that will explore the shift from conventional giving to online giving. In this series we will address:
- How has online giving changed the way we give?
- Who is giving online?
- When and how often do people give online?
- Where are donors giving their donations online?
- Why do donors use online giving as their portal for charity?
As we explore insight into online giving, we hope to target new ways of harnessing the world wide web as a powerful platform to be used for global change.
Has the internet changed your approach to giving?
Tags: giving online
4. June 2009 at 8:18 am :
Online giving definately change the way people give, Online is the thing of the future and will continue growing to great height. I think internet technology is so convenient for donors to follow and actually see keep regular update on where their donation are going by surfing online.
I think people who spend a lot of time online exploring surfing, also people from all walks race of life are giving online these days.
I dont know the exact numbers of how much people give on line, But the way the economy is going i would say fair enough. for people who give online.
Donors are giving their donation to all different causes all over the world to help in different situation.
I think donors use online giving as their portal for charity, because it is so efficient convenient and 21 centuary technology is getting so advance on rapid speed.
4. June 2009 at 3:15 pm :
I think online giving is like all giving right now — we/everyone picks what is most important to them and gives what they can. I continue to have faith in we humans and feel that most people probably give MORE than they can afford. I run the scholarship fund in memory of my son, and that gives me more satisfaction than any other activity in my life. Blessings to all.
5. June 2009 at 4:55 am :
I think more and more people do online giving, And less people are doing mail and phone donation.
People who spend a lots of time on their computer or labtop checking out different site online.
I think people give online when they stumble on worthy and fundamental causes which are genuine charity foundations.
Donors are giving online to a wide variety of charity foundation with meaningful causes like poverty, hunger, homeless, medical sickness, and many more sad situation.
I think some donors use online giving as their portal for charity because online is at your finger tip and take minutes instead of mail or phone which takes much longer time, may be days or weeks before donation reaches a recipients or that particular charity foundation account.
5. June 2009 at 5:22 am :
I think online giving erases the boundary of geographic distance. If you live in South Carolina but wish to help someone in California you can with just a few emails get enough information about the person you are interested in helping and with a few more clicks can donate immediately to that person.
I prefer giving online where I can communicate directly with the person in need. I ask questions, sometimes ask for proof of their need. I can decide if I want to buy items or gift cards from a wish list rather than sending cash as sometimes I’m not sure sending cash is a good idea. I can send money by paypal if I believe the person will use the money wisely. I have called utility companies and put some money on a bill for a person rather than sending any money directly. There are so many ways online to help where it’s needed most that I do most of my giving online. I also give locally to known organizations where again I can communicate with the recipient my self and ask my own questions. I’m not fond of giving to organizations so much as directly to the person in need.
5. June 2009 at 3:08 pm :
The trend of online giving is alot easier and in some cases, better than physical giving. The reason is that people can see how the money will be used, rather than trying to explain what the money will be used for, they see the websites, myspace, facebook, twitter, etc…, with helping in donations. I recently signed up for a website called Sponsorspace.com. They have a donation box that you can post on your pages for help with your travels, purchasing of new products, and much more. The trend of online giving also gives people who live in other countries an opportunity to help those whom are in need.
5. June 2009 at 5:05 pm :
Anne –
Have you found that people are more likely to give online? Have you been successful fundraising online?
5. June 2009 at 5:09 pm :
Jamel
Excellent insight! In fact, we will be discussing this in one of our series of posts!
6. June 2009 at 4:30 pm :
I think its so much easier to give on line. Especially with sites such as mircrogiving where you know the person you are giving too has been screen and you feel safe. You also have the ease of doing it from home with no hassles, no check book and you can take it usually right from a pay pal account which keeps you donations private. It’s really easier to give when you are comfortable that you are not being scammed. So many have been scammed out of money these days, especially the elderly places like Microgiving makes it safe and secure to give without worry.
6. June 2009 at 5:50 pm :
I think giving on line is faster and easier, but a lot of pelope, that really need the help may not have a computer at home, so there for there should be many different way to give to people in need.
7. June 2009 at 5:30 pm :
I was thinking that since it makes sense the people who are giving on line are the ones who receive or have received its more than likely that they would be able to give when they could usually on the 1st and 15th of the month. If that being true it would show a trend of the people who are giving what they can where they can. It would truly show that the ones who have received are giving back in the small but oh so significant way they can. A little at a time. God Bless them.
7. June 2009 at 5:35 pm :
I think giving on line is faster and easier, but a lot of pelope, that really need the help may not have a computer at home, so there for there should be many different way to give to people in need
Antonio,
Where I live there is a food shelter for people who need food and they also have a lot of other places that people who are in need of those type things the everyday living kind, they can get them. We also have a meals on wheels for the elderly people. I am just becoming aware of most of these places as I was talking to a neighbor and looking to volunteer when I am able. It seems there are so many here who volunteer their time to help others less fortunate than themselves. I am hoping that soon I will be able to give some of myself to help those in need. These type places don’t require you have a computer and some will bring it to you if you can’t get to them. Its amazing what others will do to help those in need.
7. June 2009 at 10:53 pm :
People give online also because they want to see and make certain their donations are going to a legitmate foundation, And not to any phony unregistered organization.
I think most of the people who give online are people kind loving, compassionate, and have a deep sense of humor for people in needs.
I also think people give online when they see causes that are very sad and heart broken families or charity foundation.
Donors are more comfortable giving online to charity organization, More so than giving to a individual or person or persons.
They can get a first hand view to where their donations are going, Also they can physically communicate with the parties online.
20. June 2009 at 1:50 pm :
I neglected to say that online giving is a great way to give to people in need as you do have the opportunity to choose your cause/recipient based on their particular need and your donor values. Since I found this site, I have encouraged people I know to consider donations to a site like this. I certainly will be donating to this site as soon as I am able. So many people have various needs across this country. Online giving is a wonderful opportunity to help others, and a donor can be sure that his contribution will meet the need it is intended for.
21. July 2009 at 1:07 am :
It’s great to see that online giving has increased by that much. It has really gotten huge. That’s amazing. The Internet certainly opened my world as far as recieving donations. My first donation came from online. I feel fortunate to have my laptop. I know a lot of people in need can’t access the internet when they need too. I was one of those people until my father got me this laptop as a gift after I became bedridden. I’m bedridden and I’m raising donations online. I think thats amazing. I wouldn’t have gotten any donations at all without writing my story and posting it online. A disabled friend of mine, gave me the idea to try to rase donations online, after he raised enough donations online himself to get a new laptop. I decided if he could do it, I could too, and I asked my family and friends about it and they supported me. I am hopeful