Response to Jenny's Question

            One could say that the end justifies the means and that if one donates it is not their reasons that help the people supported by the charity. That being said, people’s reasons for donating to a charity probably help what they think of that charity and charities in general. When supermarkets ask if you would like to donate a dollar to a charity as an addition to your order it is an imposition that is hard to turn down. You are put on the spot in public and feel pressured to donate. The other people in line and the cashier will know you choose not to donate where with the Salvation Army at least you personally are not on the spot. Even with the Salvation Army you are being pressured by the presence of a person ringing the bell who I think a lot of people cannot avoid feeling is judging them. When a person donates to a charity because they feel forced, rightfully or wrongfully, they will not feel good about themselves for the act of donating and may even feel resentful that they were “forced” to do so. When an organization leaves out a can for donations a lot of the pressure is reduced because no person is watching them and potentially judging. Then when the person does donate it is because they have chosen to and not because of social pressures. The same is true for mail in donations. People are not concerned that the person who mailed it will judge because they cannot see that person. People who donate money because they feel guilty are not likely to feel good about themselves after they donate. They know there reasons were not altruistic and they do not like that about themselves. People who donate because seeing people in need makes them upset are more likely to be happy about donating because they think it says something about them. People might also donate to show they support a certain belief. Someone who donates to the Humane Society can back up a value they see in themselves. They can say that they care about animals because they donate. It matters to the person that donates why they donate.

How could someone motivate someone else to donate to a charity or organization?