The Psychology of Giving: Why Generosity Feels So Good
Have you ever noticed the warm, uplifting feeling you get after helping someone in need? Maybe you volunteered your time, or simply gave someone a hand. That feeling is more than just a fleeting emotion. It’s actually rooted in the science of generosity, and it's one of the reasons why giving feels so good.
At One Percent Collective, we understand the deep, innate human need to do good. And while the impact of your generosity on others is incredibly important, it’s equally important to recognise how giving affects you, the giver.
Why Does Giving Make Us Feel Good?
When we engage in acts of generosity, our brains reward us with a rush of “feel-good” hormones, like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. These are the same chemicals that flood our system when we experience love, connection, and joy.
This chemical reaction is part of what’s known as the “helper’s high” – the uplifting sensation we get when we do something kind for others. Studies have shown that giving activates the brain’s pleasure centres, making us feel happier, less stressed, and more connected to others.
Not only does giving make us feel good in the moment, but it can also have lasting positive effects on our mental and physical health. Regular acts of generosity have been linked to lower blood pressure, reduced anxiety, and even improved immune function. So not only are you helping others, but you’re also helping yourself.
The Ripple Effect of Generosity
Generosity is contagious. When we give, it often inspires others to do the same. And this isn’t just a feel-good social trend – it’s a deep, instinctual part of human nature. Studies show that when people witness acts of kindness, their brains are primed to act kindly in return.
This ripple effect of generosity is one of the reasons why small acts of kindness can snowball into much larger waves of change. At One Percent Collective, we’ve seen how collective giving can create an incredible movement. When people like you choose to donate just 1% of their income, it helps raise millions of dollars for important causes. And this is only possible because so many people are inspired to give, creating a larger network of generosity that leads to sustainable change.
Giving to Strengthen Your Own Wellbeing
Giving doesn’t just feel good for others – it can help strengthen your own sense of purpose and wellbeing. When we contribute to something bigger than ourselves, we often feel a stronger sense of belonging and connection to our communities. And this is critical in a world where many people can feel isolated or disconnected.
The feeling of knowing you’re part of a larger mission, that your small act of generosity is part of a bigger movement for good, can help you feel more engaged in life and motivated to do more. It strengthens your own sense of self-worth and reminds you that you’re playing a vital role in creating positive change.
The Benefits of Regular Giving
At One Percent Collective, we make it easy to give regularly, whether it’s weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. When you donate on a regular basis, you’re not only supporting the charities that matter most to you – you’re also providing yourself with the long-term benefits of generosity. The consistency of regular giving allows you to enjoy the psychological rewards more frequently, creating a cycle of positivity and wellbeing.
And the beauty of regular giving is that it’s both manageable and impactful. Just 1% of your income may seem like a small amount, but when combined with the contributions of thousands of other donors, it adds up to millions of dollars for New Zealand’s most trusted charities. It’s a simple, sustainable way to make a meaningful difference.
Join the Movement of Generosity
If you want to experience the many benefits of giving – not just for others, but for your own mental and physical wellbeing – One Percent Collective makes it easy to get started. By becoming a donor, you’ll be part of a community of people dedicated to making New Zealand a better place. And you’ll feel the rewarding benefits of generosity as you help fund long-term, sustainable solutions to some of our country’s biggest issues.
Ready to feel good while doing good? Join One Percent Collective today and start making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.
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.