When people donate to charity, they benefit an important cause but they also help themselves. According to Larry Polhill, few things are as rewarding as doing good. It is also for this reason that millions of people all over the world engage in charitable giving. Here, he identifies five key reasons why we all should engage in it.

Larry Polhill’s 5 Reasons to Give to Charity

1. Doing good feels good

First of all, when you donate to a good cause, you start to feel better about yourself. It is empowering to be able to help others, leaving you feeling fulfilled and happy. This is supported by scientific evidence, which showed that the pleasure parts of the brain are activated when people do good. Indeed, 42% of people state that the fact that they feel good is one of the reasons why they give to charity.

1. It makes your personal values stronger

People have a personal social conscience. 96% of people say that it is their moral duty to help the less fortunate. This seems to be part of human morals and values, in other words. For many, being able to do good is a privilege and with privilege comes obligation. Doing good reinforces that on a personal level and makes you feel more ethical.

1. Giving to charity actually has an impact

A lot of people believe that when they give to charity, most of it will go to administrative and marketing costs. However, organizations now monitor what is known as a charity’s “efficiency”, which is usually denoted in a percentage showing how many cents out of every dollar donated actually goes to the service users. This has made charities more accountable and ensures you can give to those organizations that actually make a real difference.

1. It teaches your children about right and wrong

When you show your children that you do good and help charities, and that this has a positive impact on the lives of others, they learn how to have those same values. Children actually like to help and this is something that parents should nurture by leading by example. Indeed, many families now have a tradition of making donations to charity.

1. It encourages others to help too

Some people aren’t sure about whether or not they are doing the right thing by giving to charity or talking to a homeless person. When they see you do it, however, they will be more inclined to do so as well. In some cases, it is because they are almost ashamed about the fact that they haven’t shared what they had before but, most of the time, it is because they simply needed a little nudge in the right direction.

Giving to charity is one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself and the world around you. It is up to you to determine how to do this, who to give to, and what to give. Whatever your choices are, you are making the right decision.