How to Choose the Right Charities Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Searching for the best charity to give to can feel overwhelming. With thousands of charities in New Zealand, how do you know which one will make the biggest difference? So many options can leave you stuck, unsure of where to focus your generosity.
At One Percent Collective, we make giving simple, stress-free, and impactful. Our approach ensures your donations make a real difference – without the confusion.
Why Too Many Choices Make Giving Hard
These days, giving to charity is easier than ever. But having so many options can also make it harder to decide. When every cause seems important, how do you choose?
- How do I know my money will be put to good use?
- What if I pick the wrong charity when so many need support?
- Can I really make a difference on my own?
This feeling, called choice overload, can stop people from giving altogether. It’s easy to think, “If I can’t make the perfect choice, maybe I won’t choose at all.”
A Simpler Way to Give to Multiple Causes
At One Percent Collective, we’ve removed the pressure of choosing just one charity. Instead, we offer a way to give to multiple causes at once.
Here’s how it works:
- One donation, many causes: You can split your regular donation across all 12 of our partner charities or focus on the ones that matter most to you.
- No need to choose between good causes: By giving just 1% of your income, you can support a wide range of impactful charities – from protecting the environment to tackling social issues, improving education, and supporting health initiatives.
- 100% goes to the charities: We’re powered by Simplicity Foundation who cover our running costs. That means every dollar you give goes directly to the causes you care about.
With One Percent Collective, you can support as many charities as you like, and we’ll handle the details.
Why Giving to Multiple Charities Works
Supporting multiple charities doesn’t just make giving easier – it makes your generosity go further.
- Your impact grows: When you join hundreds of other givers, your small contribution becomes part of something bigger. Together, we’ve raised over $4 million for our partner charities since 2012.
- Charities can plan ahead: Regular donations provide steady funding, helping organisations focus on delivering their work instead of worrying about fundraising.
- You help tackle a range of issues: Giving to multiple charities means you’re making a difference in many areas – whether it’s protecting nature, improving education, or supporting people’s health and wellbeing.
Feel Good About Your Giving
One Percent Collective takes the guesswork out of giving. With clear updates and stories, you’ll see exactly how your donations are helping. You can feel confident knowing your generosity is making a real impact.
Ready to Start Giving?
Say goodbye to choice overload and start supporting the causes that inspire you. Join One Percent Collective today to experience the power of giving made easy.
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.