Lifting the taboo on generosity: Why your donations are worth sharing
Friday 30/08/2024, Reading time : 5 min
This weekend, I took a BlaBlaCar. In the space of 30 minutes, the driver mentioned the cost of hiring his car for the week (€350), the cost of his week’s sailing course (€1,500) and the high cost of his rent (€1,000). All this happened naturally, without him trying to boast, or me feeling financially inferior to him. We talked about these subjects, and he informed me of his expenses, nothing out of the ordinary for an every day conversation.
Later in the conversation, we talked about my work with Mieux Donner and why I founded the charity. I mentioned that I donate to highly impactful charities, but felt a little embarrassed to mention a figure. I shyly said, “I give a percentage of my income to charity each month.”
I’m shy about talking about donations even though it’s my job! But why is this? If we can talk about money we spend for our personal enjoyment. on things that only benefit us, I should be able to be proud to say that I give more than €200 a month, and that I’ve given several thousand euros since February 2023. I could have given an exact percentage, because since my commitment I’ve given at least 10% of my income.
So what’s the difference between his regular spending on sailing lessons, which he (and only he) enjoys, and the donations I make which give me pleasure and also make a positive difference to the lives of many people? Why should our donations remain secret?
Generally speaking, there are several preconceived ideas that lead to this discretion. Let’s take a look at them:
People will think I’m bragging. Is that really the case?
Vanity consists of exaggerating one’s merits or distorting the truth for one’s image. Talking openly about your gifts is far from that, it’s simply an honest and transparent way of sharing how you make a positive contribution.
- Sharing your experience as you lived it is not virtue-signalling. By talking about your motivations, your doubts, something that struck you, an event that made you realise how lucky you are or what you personally gain by giving, you are simply explaining your path to effective generosity.
I don’t want people to feel obliged to donate.
It’s understandable. Avoid using vocabulary that could give the impression that the person is being forced to give. I didn’t feel forced to take sailing lessons when the driver told me about it, but it did make me want to try!
People might think I do it to feel good.
So what? That may very well be the case and it’s an excellent reason to give. Some people do yoga, others go jogging, or pay for massages… Giving doesn’t have to be limited to an altruistic act that creates deprivation and brings no recognition. You can give because you :
Want to help a specific need.
Want to do the right thing and feel good about yourself.
Want to inspire others to give back.
Want to improve your reputation.
Finally, here’s why it’s a good idea to talk publicly about your gifts:
You can discuss this subject with people close to you who share these values. You may have long-standing friends who also give regularly but have never discussed it with you, simply out of fear of judgement.
It can motivate other people to give.
You can break the taboo around this subject in your close circles.
For example, if you’ve discovered a charity that you like and that helps others significantly, tell someone about it. Think of it as a film you’ve seen and really enjoyed. If you talk about it, people won’t think you’re judging them because they don’t know the film, and they certainly won’t feel forced to watch it. Talking about giving to impactful charityies means sharing something that gave you pleasure and that could also please those around you.
However, it’s of course possible to overdo conversations about giving. Just as in the case of your loved one who has an unhealthy relationship with money and talks about it all the time, constantly wanting to talk about your gifts won’t make you the best company, nor will it encourage others to talk about their own gifts.
Conclusion
Talking about your donations breaks a taboo that shouldn’t exist. By sharing your contributions, you inspire others to do the same, while reinforcing your own commitment to causes that are close to your heart. If you’d like to find out more about how to make your donations even more impactful, or about the best way to tell others about them, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Together, let’s make every donation count and make generosity a common and inspiring topic of conversation.
