When we ask ourselves?“why do we want to help others?” The answer isn’t always easy to find. We might say things like ?? - I want to give because I like to help others. - I feel empathy and hope to support someone in need. - I like to be of service to my community. Studies, however, suggest that generosity is more of a human trait rather than a personal one. Our human brain is wired for generosity—like in an evolutionary way! It’s been an adaptive trait that has helped us survive for millennia. And besides just survival, generosity also lights up reward pathways in our brains, the same ones triggered by sex and food, showing there’s a biological reason behind our prosocial behavior. Biology aside, though, we give because it simply makes?us?feel good. We're sure some of you are now thinking, “But isn’t that a bit… selfish?” Well, maybe it is. In our view, it’s still a step forward for humanity. Instead of asking whether our self-interested reasons for giving reflect real altruism, maybe we should ask, does it even matter if the outcome is that people are being helped? Julian Zlatev, Assistant Professor at Harvard Business School, offers a different perspective. He suggests that people express prosociality in various ways—some donate at local fundraisers, while others help a neighbor in need. He argues that ‘rather than asking what type of person is going to give, the more helpful question is to ask?what can be done to change the structure of the ask?in any particular situation.’ A 2022 study investigating the idea that spending money on others—prosocial spending—boosts personal happiness concluded that indeed, "the emotional benefits of prosocial spending are robust and replicable in large samples.” This is a profound finding. An especially interesting takeaway from this study for everyone in the nonprofit sector is understanding what are the conditions under which people experience a boost in happiness. We see 3 occasions: ?? People felt good during the act of giving ???? People prefer to have a choice about helping others ?? People want to see the results Honestly, there’s a lot to be done in the world. Wildfires, homelessness, refugees, climate change – the list goes on. In the mind of a potential donor, that’s a pretty overwhelming place to be. You might want to help but the process from finding the nonprofits up to donating is costly, both in time and money. No matter whether someone donates because they want to be of help or because it makes them feel good, one thing is certain:?they want to see that their ‘giving’ has an impact, that something good comes out their act and they can see it. And if giving feels rewarding, it encourages people to continue doing it. A positive feedback loop ??
关于我们
Impact Labs is a nonprofit that enables you to support social causes you care about and track your impact with real-world data.
- 网站
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https://impactlabs.org
Impact Labs的外部链接
- 所属行业
- 非盈利组织
- 规模
- 2-10 人
- 总部
- San Francisco，CA
- 类型
- 私人持股
- 创立
- 2023
地点
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主要
获取路线
US，CA，San Francisco
Impact Labs员工
动态
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Another one for our “Things we hear as a nonprofit but can prove aren’t true” book ??
I will fight anyone who says ‘Millennials don’t care about philanthropy’. While millennials would much rather prefer the term “change-maker”, they not only care deeply about giving, but they are also changing philanthropy. They’re not just giving more; they’re giving with purpose ???? The data tells us that: ?? 84% of millennials donate to charity ?? Millennial entrepreneurs are the most engaged givers & 81% say philanthropy is central to their lives ?? Retention jumps to 73% when donors see the real impact of their giving For nonprofits, this is both a huge opportunity and a challenge. Transparency is no longer optional. Millennials are intentional with their giving, and if they don’t see a clear impact, they’re more likely to move on. That’s why storytelling, transparency, and clear data matter more than ever. When donors see the change they’re helping create, they stay engaged, give again, and become lifelong supporters.
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?? New donors = 5 TIMES MORE expensive than keeping the ones you’ve got! Keeping donors engaged isn’t easy, and many nonprofits face the same challenges. However, neglecting retention can be a costly mistake. Looking to tackle 4 common donor retention issues? Shub’s got the solutions ??
Most non-profits make this mistake: they only focus on getting new donors without engaging the existing ones. This could be a huge missed opportunity. For many nonprofits, annual donor retention rates hover around 40-45%, meaning more than half of the donor base may need to be replaced every year. 56% of non-profits don’t have a donor engagement strategy. That is a staggering statistic. Here’s what many non-profits overlook, and how to fix it: ?? Lack of Personalization → Send updates to donors on how their donations are making a difference. A simple “Thank You” email isn’t enough. ?? No Ongoing Engagement → Create a donor journey. Invite them to events, share behind-the-scenes stories, and offer exclusive impact reports. ??? Not Asking for Input → Donors want to feel valued. Send surveys, host Q&As, and make them part of the mission. ??Not Showcasing Impact → Data builds trust and stories create connection. Share real numbers alongside powerful personal stories to make the impact tangible and transparent. I get it. Nonprofits have so much on their plates already, and donor engagement can feel like a huge boulder to push up the hill every day. However, the payoff from donor engagement can be massive and highly efficient. Acquiring new donors can often cost five times more than retaining existing ones. You don’t have to tackle donor retention alone. Drop your biggest donor retention challenge in the comments, and let’s find a solution together!
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Would you invest without data??Probably not! ?? Donors, just like investors, are looking for more than just mission statements—they want to see measurable, long-term impact. Shub breaks down the framework we use at Impact Labs. ?? Spoiler alert: It goes beyond surface-level vanity metrics :)
We often think of ‘donating’ as an interchangeable term for ‘giving.’? But what if we looked at donations more like… investments? Funding decisions are increasingly data-driven, and donors are looking for clear, compelling evidence that their contributions are making a real impact. They don’t just want to know what a nonprofit is doing–they want to know what’s changing. What we do at Impact Labs when we work with nonprofits is strengthen their donors’ trust by presenting impact in a way that’s data-driven while remaining human-centric. We use a framework that goes beyond surface-level vanity metrics to measure the weight, breadth, depth, and evidence of nonprofit program impact. The questions we care about are: ?? How is funding distributed amongst different programs? (weight) ?? How many lives are being impacted with these outcomes? (breadth) ?? How effective are these outcomes at solving the core problem? (depth) ?? Do we have clear, transparent data and research to support these results? (evidence) Donors appreciate nonprofits that can answer key questions like: ?? How many people are benefiting and how? ?? What measurable changes have occurred because of this work? ?? Can we see progress over time, not just one-time results? ?? What lessons have we learned, and how is the nonprofit using those lessons? ?? Are impact reports transparent, engaging, and backed by evidence? Nonprofits that track, measure, and communicate their impact effectively don’t just attract more funding – they build long-term partnerships with donors who are invested in real change. This translates to recurring donations and increased lifetime value. P.S. If you’re a donor, what kind of impact data do you find most valuable?
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A gentle reminder ?? Despite the commercialized, capitalized, ad-filled nature of Valentine’s Day, there are still things you can do that don’t involve price tags and ‘VDAY15’ discount codes: ?? Volunteer at a shelter to help prepare meals for your unhoused neighbors. ?? Call a friend who’s grieving and let them know you’re thinking of them. ?? Make a handmade gift for someone you love.
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If you're constantly stretched between finding new donors and strengthening bonds with existing ones, this is for you???????
Nonprofits work tirelessly to bring in new supporters, but many overlook one of the most powerful (and cost-effective) growth strategies: keeping the donors they already have! Here’s what the data tells us: ?? Donor retention rates hover around 46%, meaning more than half of donors don’t give again the following year. ??Only 28% of first-time donors return to give again. ?? Recurring donors give 42% more annually than one-time donors. ?? The lifetime value of a recurring donor is approximately $7,604 over 8.08 years, whereas that of a one-time donor is around $3,620 over 1.68 years. So, how do you keep your donors engaged? ?? Show them exactly how their donations make a difference. Donors who understand the tangible impact of their donations have a 73% retention rate — more than 150% higher than average donors! ???Create a donor journey that nurtures relationships—think personalized updates, appreciation messages, and exclusive insights. ?? Make recurring giving easy and compelling. Monthly donors provide stability and long-term support to your nonprofit. Instead of constantly chasing new donors, what if nonprofits focused on deepening connections with the ones they already have? The potential impact is huge. P.S.?What’s one donor engagement strategy you swear by?
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How can the education of one girl uplift an entire community? Shub explains ??
If you want to transform an entire community, start with educating one girl. A few months ago, I had the chance to speak at 361Firm’s Philanthropy and NextGen panel at the 6th London Conference, where leaders across the social impact sector shared their experiences. Here’s what we talked about: Whether in Afghanistan's Hindu Kush or in remote regions of the Philippines, education for girls creates ripple effects that transform entire communities. Truly, the evidence speaks for itself: - In rural Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, an NGO called Learning for Life built 250 schools for girls to prove their Founder’s theory that “if you educate a girl, you educate the whole family effectively.” - A scholarship program called U-Go is challenging traditional approaches - instead of sending one talented student to Stanford, they're enabling 200 women from Davao to study at Manila University But what does this teach us? 2 key insights ?? 1. Scale doesn't have to mean global. The traditional "prestigious institution" mindset is being challenged in global philanthropy. When education stays rooted in local communities, it creates deeper, more sustainable transformation. 2. The multiplier effect is real. It's not just about educating individuals - it's about triggering generational change. When you educate a woman, you're creating what a fellow panelist called "adjacencies in society" - transforming not just one life but the trajectory of families, communities, and ultimately, entire economies. The next time we think about catalyzing social change, perhaps we should ask: Are we creating solutions that multiply or just solutions that add?
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Do you speak Vietnamese ???? or Karen? Tarjimly needs you ???? Follow the link below and help them make a real difference by assisting those who need support. https://lnkd.in/djXEi_ZR?
?? ????'???? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????????????????? & ?????????? We’ve been receiving more requests for translations in these languages and need your help. Your ability to communicate can transform lives by translating vital medical details and assisting humanitarian efforts, among others. Every conversation you translate helps ensure that everyone, no matter where they are or what language they speak, can access the help they need. ?? Ready to volunteer? Sign up now: https://lnkd.in/djXEi_ZR? #TranslatingForHumanityToday #LendYourLanguages #Volunteer
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???20% of U.S. healthcare spending goes to preventable diet-related diseases. Meanwhile, nearly 40% of NYC public school children are overweight or obese.? Childhood obesity disproportionately impacts Black and Latino students, putting them at a higher risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. So, how can we address this growing crisis?? We need to get food educated! ?? ?? ?? ?? ??? Food education combines teaching strategies with environmental supports to encourage healthier food choices and behaviors. It not only improves individual health but also benefits entire communities and the planet. When efforts to create healthier school environments are paired with food education, they become significantly more effective. In New York City, 56% of K-12 public schools (1,025 schools) have at least one food education program. However, 44%—or?815 schools—lack even one. By redirecting the funds spent on diet-related diseases to critical food education, we could prevent a significant portion of these chronic conditions early on. In NYC, public schools are introducing programs to teach children about nutrition, where food comes from, and how to make healthier decisions. We’re very excited to see more data on this and similar programs and their impact on kids and teenagers. #foodeducation #childrenshealth #publicschools #NYC
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?? Wildfires, like all climate disasters, are devastating. But the impact isn’t equal. For low-income individuals or those already facing homelessness, the flames are just the beginning of a much deeper crisis. How do we ensure no one is left behind during these catastrophic events? As we reflect on the unimaginable challenges faced by thousands of Californians, these questions weigh heavily on our minds. ???? Swipe through to explore the critical issues surrounding equity, resilience, and support in times of disaster. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected ???? #Wildfires #ClimateCrisis #LosAngeles
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