“Why I Give”: 49 Real-World Truths from the Hearts of Real Donors
✍️ By Lisa Sargent
(and by real donors)
August 2025
I just wrapped up supporter survey season in my little copywriting studio. And
every year, the most powerful answers come from one simple question:
“Why do you give?”
The responses stop me in my tracks every time. I smile. I cry. I sigh. My coffee turns tepid in its insulated mug. And I remember why we’re here.
Below you’ll find 49 of those real survey answers from real donors. No commentary. No big weighty
lessons.
Just a midseason moment to pause, breathe, and remember why the work we do matters, and that good and generous people are still out there waiting to help.
I give because...
- “When I give I feel so much happier.”
- “My close friend faced what your organization works on.”
- “After visiting on a tour.”
- “Compassion.”
- “Conscience.”
- “Your simple honesty and no bull.”
- “Hearing through
your newsletter about the work you do.”
- “I just love to be called a member of the family.”
- “I like to help people and animals in need.”
- “It makes me feel less selfish.”
- “Your newsletters are so good, with regular feedback on what donors are achieving through the dedicated work of staff and volunteers.”
- “My late husband loved your work, I give in memory.”
- “The funds were matched by another donor.”
- “Your personal messages make me feel like
I’m really making a difference.”
- “You offer an organized means of giving and an opportunity to help.”
- “You’re a local charity.”
- “My mother gave to you for many years. She passed away so I continue to give on her behalf.”
- “My own human heart.”
- “The increasing need.”
- “You are not always looking for fundraising and are thankful for what you get.”
- “The stories could be me.”
- “You were so thankful for my donation.”
- “The
realization that what for me is a small amount of money can make a big difference.”
- “You make us feel we are part of your work rather than a money machine that needs constant pumping.”
- “Thank you for giving me a chance to help.”
- “I love the way you thank donors in such a personal way it makes it a pleasure to give to you.”
- “I feel blessed in some small way that I can help, your newsletter brought me to tears.”
- “Your tv ad was so encouraging.”
- “Your
ads.”
- “Altruism, personal experience, and Buddhism.”
- “Because my Dad always said, 'When one is lucky in life, give something back.'”
- “If I could be kind as others have been to me.”
- “The personal touch, you make a person feel like part of the family.”
- “Getting a letter from you made me think.”
- “To thank God for my good health.”
- “Just thank you.”
- “The outreach and information you provide.”
- “I feel you use my donations to the
best of your ability.”
- “It makes me feel good to help.”
- “I needed to do something to help.”
- “You are doing what I’d like to do but can’t.”
- “A letter you sent to me in the mail touched my heart.”
- “A childhood memory of someone close who passed away and taught us to always share, no matter how little.”
- “My family was poor when I was in school.”
- “The stories of people we help.”
- “The way you appreciate the little we do to help
out.”
- “Just to know that in a small way, I am making a difference.”
- “Your newsletters tell things just how they are.”
- “You just write to me.”
For me, these reasons why people give are worth keeping close. I hope they are for you too...
Because at heart they remind us that people want to help, and that human kindness is very much alive... and if we listen carefully to what supporters are telling us, we'll find a roadmap to growing giving, strengthening
connection, and building a better tomorrow.
In the weeks ahead, here in The Loyalty Letter, we’ll do just that. We'll dig into delightfully effective donor newsletters (buy Tom Ahern's book if you haven't)... the secret of in-memory giving
(that's largely overlooked)... what you really need to know about print vs digital (finally!)... proof why thank-yous that keep supporters by your side are well worth the time... effective storytelling technique... plus lots more. (New subscribers -- welcome! -- back issues of the newsletter await
:-))
