The psychology behind giving

Online giving rose during the Covid-19 pandemic despite an overall decline in volunteerism and donation rates, a study has shown. Online volunteering sign-ups in Singapore saw a 29 per cent increase and online donations rose 37 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels, the Individual Giving Study 2021 found. It was done by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre. Donation and volunteerism rates of people in Singapore came in at 60 per cent and 22 per cent respectively, marking a 19-percentage point drop in Singapore’s donation rate and a 7-percentage point drop in volunteerism rate overall. 

In a live interview, Assoc Prof Andy Ho from NTU’s SSS, discussed what motivates people to volunteer, and if it is intrinsically bad that one gives or volunteers for selfish reasons. He also gave his opinion on if giving is so much easier because of online portals, and how this changes the charity sector.

Listen to the interview here.

Photo by Katt Yukawa on Unsplash