Inspiring the Next Generation of Givers: Why Giving is a Habit Worth Developing
When you’re searching for the best charity to give to, it can feel overwhelming. There are so many options, and it’s a big decision if you want your contribution to make a lasting impact. So, how can you give back in a way that feels good and creates real change?
At One Percent Collective, we believe the best way to give is by making it a regular habit. Giving doesn’t have to be a one-off or complicated process. It can become a small but powerful part of your life – something that creates positive change not just for others, but for you too.
Giving is More Than Just a Donation
When you support a charity, it’s natural to focus on the amount you’re giving. But the real power of giving isn’t in the size of the donation – it’s in the consistency.
Making giving a habit, like donating 1% of your income or setting aside a small amount each month, turns generosity into something you live by. Over time, those contributions add up and can transform lives and communities.
That’s the idea behind One Percent Collective. By giving small amounts regularly, you become part of a collective effort that drives meaningful and lasting change.
Why Regular Giving Makes a Bigger Impact
When you donate through One Percent Collective, you’re doing more than just giving money. You’re helping to fund the future. Your donations go straight to charities making a real difference across New Zealand, and you get to choose where your support goes. You can back all 12 partner charities or just the ones that matter most to you. Every dollar creates real, measurable change.
Your 1% can help support mental health initiatives, fight poverty, and tackle social justice issues. These regular contributions give charities a reliable source of funding, so they can spend more time on their important work and less time on fundraising.
This approach works because of the power of community. Your donations combine with hundreds of others, amplifying the impact of every dollar. It’s not about giving more – it’s about giving consistently and knowing you’re part of something bigger.
Giving Feels Good
One of the best parts of giving regularly is how it makes you feel. It’s not just about helping others – it’s also about the sense of purpose and fulfillment it brings.
When you donate regularly, you’re taking control of the positive change you want to see in the world. That feels empowering. Plus, giving is scientifically proven to boost your happiness by releasing feel-good hormones that reduce stress and build connections.
At One Percent Collective, we know it can be hard to decide where to start or which causes to support. That’s why we’ve made it simple. With just one donation set-up, you can support a range of causes. Your 1% is divided among the charities you choose, so you can make a big impact without the hassle of researching every organisation.
Ready to Make Giving a Habit?
If you’re searching for the best charity to give to, One Percent Collective makes it easy to give back in a way that works for you. By donating just 1% of your income, you’ll support a variety of causes working to create a better future for everyone in New Zealand. With One Percent Collective, giving is simple, meaningful, and something you can feel good about every day.
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.