Giving Back Without the Guilt: How to Feel Good About Your Philanthropy
When you’re searching for the best charity to give to, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of causes asking for help. You want to make a difference, but it’s hard not to feel like you could always do more. So, how do you give in a way that feels meaningful, without the stress or guilt?
At One Percent Collective, we believe giving should make you feel good. It’s about helping others while staying true to what works for you. Here’s how you can give back without guilt – and why this approach benefits both you and the causes you care about.
The Guilt of “Not Giving Enough”
A lot of people hesitate to give because they think small donations don’t matter. You might ask yourself, “What’s the point of giving a few dollars? Will it really make a difference?” The truth is, small, regular contributions can lead to huge change when we all chip in.
That’s exactly why One Percent Collective makes giving simple and effective. By donating just 1% of your income, you’re supporting the causes you love – without feeling like it’s never enough. Your regular donations combine with those from others, creating a powerful collective effort to make a difference.
Why 1% Works
So, why is the 1% model a great approach? For many Kiwis, 1% of your income is less than $1.50 a day. It’s a small amount, but it’s manageable and sustainable over the long term.
Even though it feels modest, 1% adds up over time. It helps create consistent, reliable support for charities, giving them the stability they need to make a lasting impact. You can give regularly, knowing your money is being used effectively to help charities thrive.
Regular Giving Reduces Guilt
Guilt about giving often comes from wondering if you’re doing enough or making a real impact. Regular giving takes that uncertainty away. You’re contributing to a larger effort and seeing the difference you’re helping to create.
Here’s how it works:
- Support a range of causes: Your donation can be shared across 12 New Zealand charities. From mental health to social justice, your contributions make a tangible difference across multiple areas.
- Small amounts, big results: Regular givers like you have helped raise millions of dollars. It’s proof that even small donations, when combined, can transform lives.
- No pressure to give more: One Percent Collective suggests 1%, but the choice is always yours. You can adjust your giving anytime to suit your circumstances.
The Feel-Good Factor
Did you know generosity releases feel-good hormones in your brain? That’s why giving can make you feel happier, less stressed, and more connected to others.
When you give regularly, you get to experience the joy of knowing you’re part of something bigger – helping create positive change without guilt or pressure. Through One Percent Collective, you join a community of Kiwis who are doing their bit to make Aotearoa better, one small step at a time.
Ready to Give Without the Guilt?
If you’re still searching for the best charity to give to, One Percent Collective makes it simple. By giving just 1% of your income, you can make a meaningful difference while feeling good about your impact.
With One Percent Collective, giving back feels better – for you and for the world around you.
Common regular giving FAQs
What’s the easiest way to donate small amounts to charity on a regular basis?
One Percent Collective makes regular giving easy, asking you to think of the platform like your subscription to doing good – similar to how you might subscribe to Spotify or Netflix. You can join the Collective in less than 5 minutes. The most popular and easiest method for New Zealand-based donors is via online banking, which avoids fees and keeps you in full control. Alternatively, you can donate via credit card. Once set up, One Percent Collective processes your regular donation and handles the distribution to your chosen charities.
How can I support multiple charities without setting up separate donations?
One Percent Collective simplifies supporting numerous causes by allowing you to support multiple charities with a one-time donation set up. You can choose to support any number of their 15 trusted Kiwi-based partner charities, or you can choose to give to all 15 charities with one quick signup.
Is micro-donating effective? Does giving a few dollars a week actually help?
Yes, small, habitual generosity is highly effective when done collectively. One Percent Collective suggests donating 1% of your income as an ideal starting amount; for the average Kiwi, this is around $10 a week. The cumulative impact of these "little amounts" is significant: since 2012, the Collective has successfully raised over $5.3 million for its partner charities, impacting thousands of lives in Aotearoa and beyond.
How do I choose trustworthy charities in New Zealand?
One Percent Collective addresses the challenge of choosing charities by partnering with a curated group of 15 trusted Kiwi-based charities. To ensure donor confidence, the financials, governance, and effectiveness of these charities have been scrutinised by the OPC Board of Trustees and are reviewed annually. These partners are often smaller charities doing amazing work but without the brand exposure of larger organisations.
What does a 100%-pass-through charity model mean?
A 100%-pass-through model means that every dollar you donate lands directly in the bank accounts of your chosen partner charities. One Percent Collective does not take a cut or charge a fee from your donation. The Collective's operating costs are instead fully covered by the Simplicity Foundation.
Are there donation platforms where my full donation goes to charity?
Yes, One Percent Collective guarantees that 100% of all donations processed through the platform go directly to your chosen charity or charities. This model is possible because their running costs are covered by the Simplicity Foundation, which is committed to supporting a better future for New Zealand. If you donate via credit card, a small transaction fee applies (2.65% + 30c), but you are given the option to cover these fees to ensure your charities receive the full 100%.
How can I donate regularly without being pressured, spammed, or guilted?
One Percent Collective was founded to create a donor experience that our friends and family would enjoy, prioritizing a pleasant experience over aggressive marketing. Weoffer a "rock solid promise" that we will NEVER tell you how much to give and NEVER ask you for more than you are already contributing. Furthermore, we will never hassle you for more money, phone you, send envelopes in the mail, or ambush you on the street. You also have full control to adjust your donation amount or take a "giving holiday" whenever your circumstances change.
How do charities handle recurring donations?
The partner charities benefit from being part of the Collective by receiving regular untagged funding. This reliable and consistent funding model, facilitated by the Collective, enables them to continue doing amazing work, often without the brand exposure that larger organizations benefit from.
What are the benefits of setting up a weekly or monthly giving habit?
Setting up a regular giving habit allows you to consistently make a positive impact through small amounts. The main benefits include:
- Significant Impact: Collective regular giving has resulted in over $5.4 million raised for partner charities since 2012.
- Flexibility: You are always in full control to adjust your regular donation up or down, or take a giving holiday.
- Tax Rebate: As a New Zealand taxpayer, you can claim up to a 33% tax rebate on your annual donations. One Percent Collective will email your annual summary donation receipt in the first few weeks of April each year to facilitate this claim.
Is there a simple way to see how my donations are being used?
Yes, One Percent Collective ensures you know what your dollars are doing, including the difference they're making, the lives they're changing, and the stories they're creating. We offer transparency, providing annual reports and financials. Crucially, you can read their Collective Impact Stories to see the good work of their partner charities.