Giving is one of the most powerful ways to create happiness, connection, and purpose. Research consistently shows that giving is more uplifting to a person’s sense of wellbeing than receiving. When people give, the brain releases oxytocin — often called the “bonding hormone” — which creates feelings of warmth, trust, and emotional connection.

Giving can take many forms: buying a meaningful gift, donating to a charity, volunteering time, or helping someone in need. Regardless of the form, generosity has a profound impact on both the giver and the wider community.

Five Powerful Reasons to Give More

• Giving Makes Us Happier – Giving activates areas of the brain linked to pleasure, trust, and social connection — creating what many describe as a “warm glow.” A Harvard study led by Michael Norton found that people reported greater happiness when they spent money on others rather than on themselves.
• Giving Improves Health and Longevity – Studies show that generosity reduces stress and is linked to longer life. A landmark 2003 study by Stephanie Brown found that elderly individuals who regularly helped others had a significantly lower risk of mortality than those who did not.
• Giving Strengthens Social Connections – Kindness fosters cooperation, trust, and meaningful relationships. Research highlighted in The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky shows that generosity strengthens social bonds and increases a sense of belonging.
• Giving Cultivates Gratitude – Gratitude is closely linked to life satisfaction and emotional wellbeing. Psychologist Barbara Fredrickson’s research demonstrates that practising gratitude enhances positivity, resilience, and stronger social relationships.
• Giving Is Contagious – Generosity inspires generosity. Studies show that people who witness acts of kindness are more likely to engage in giving themselves, creating a powerful ripple effect through communities.

Giving is far more than a seasonal activity or a year-end obligation. Whether through donating money, offering time, or supporting a cause you believe in, giving strengthens communities and brings real joy to both the giver and the receiver.

About GivingToHelp.org

GivingToHelp.org is a purpose-built online fundraising platform established to support not-for-profit organisations by providing a simple, accessible, and cost-effective way to raise funds. The platform is made available to approved organisations at no cost, ensuring that financial barriers do not limit the ability to engage donors and grow community support.

GivingToHelp.org is proudly funded and supported privately, enabling not-for-profits to focus entirely on delivering impact, rather than managing technology or platform expenses.

Payments & Financial Processing Partner – AttractPay

AttractPay is the official payment processing partner for GivingToHelp.org, enabling donations and payments through:
• Credit & debit cards
• Bank-to-bank account transfers
• eWallet payments
• Cryptocurrency payments

AttractPay is a New Zealand-based merchant payment services provider and has committed to offering not-for-profit organisations a preferential pricing structure. Fees are charged at AttractPay’s direct cost of processing (bank, payment providers and network charges) plus only 0.15%, with the additional margin applied solely to subsidise operational and compliance costs.

Benefits to Not-for-Profit Organisations

This structure ensures organisations benefit from:
• Zero platform fees through GivingToHelp.org
• Industry-leading low payment processing rates via AttractPay
• Higher net funds retained from each donation
• Transparent, sustainable pricing with no hidden charges

The GivingToHelp.org and AttractPay partnership is built with a single goal: to maximise the proportion of every donation that reaches its intended cause.

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