If youre anything like me, all kinds of conflicting thoughts rush in.
Is this amount enough?
What if its too much, will I look showy?
Do I want everyone to know Im affiliated with this cause?
If I donate publicly, should I go whole hog and post it on Facebook to get more donations?
I dont want anyone to think Im holier-than-thou, though.
But, if I promote the cause more people would donatewhich is the goal, right?
We want to have it, but we dont want to be a pretentious jerk about it.
We often worry what others might think when we donate, and rightly so.
Evolutionary psychologists have found that reputation is positional, however, meaning if one person rises, others fall.
So when should we donate publiclyand when shouldnt we?
Controversial causes
If a cause is controversial, it may be best to keep your support quiet.
(Or calling you Moneybags, which is also annoying.)
(Does this undermine the true spirit of the fundraiser?
That doesnt mean its not a real concern and long-term perception calculation to consider.)
When to Donate Publicly
In many cases, theres a compelling argument for making your donations known.
It may require prioritizing the cause itself over how people might perceive usarguably themostaltruistic approach.
Could it come with some jealous side-eye, suspicion, and silent consternation?
But there are still some reasons why its better to go that route.
I, for one, appreciate when friends talk about the causes they support on social media.
Except for thatone thingthat trumps all other causes for personal reasons.
Perhaps a loved one died of dementia, and you feel passionate about funding Alzheimers prevention research.
With enough visibility, theyll approach you, minimizing the amount of research necessary on your end.
