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Does It Matter Why We Give? Greg Baldwin Pres of @VolunteerMatch weighs in http://bit.ly/KbnEoc via @VM_Solutions #csr #volunteer

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VolunteerMatch

ABOUT VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch is the Webs largest volunteer engagement network, with more than 90,000 participating nonprofits, 160 network partners and 8.5 million visitors each year. Founded in 1998, VolunteerMatch offers solutions to make it easier for individuals, nonprofits and companies to make a difference. The award-winning nonprofit service supports some of Americas most recognized institutions including Charles Schwab, Allstate Insurance, General Mills, Easter Seals, the American Red Cross and Girl Scouts of the USA. Since its launch VolunteerMatch has helped nonprofits attract more than $2 billion worth of volunteer services. VolunteerMatch is a two-time Webby Award winner, a Smithsonian inductee, and has been recognized for its work byThe New York Times,Wall Street Journal, CNN,TIME, Oprah Winfrey and Presidents Clinton and Bush. To learn more, visitwww.volunteermatch.org.

Twitter: @VolunteerMatch | @VM_SolutionsBlog for Businesses:VolunteeringIsCSR.orgBlog for Nonprofits: EngagingVolunteers.org

Does It Matter Why We Give?

May 2, 2012 11:30 PM EDT

Greg Baldwin, President of VolunteerMatch, is not a scientist by training. However, last week he published an article on Fast Co.Exist as part of Catchafire’s series on the future of service in America called “Rethinking the Science of Generosity.”

Why is our prez suddenly so fascinated with science? And why does it matter?

As Greg explained in his article, for a long time science has not provided much warm and fuzzy support for the practice of giving back. After all, evolution and the survival of the fittest naturally have us competing, not helping each other.

As Greg points out, this can’t be the whole story. At VolunteerMatch we see firsthand how many individuals are ready to step up and help others as volunteers and as nonprofit staff members. So where is the science in that?

Alternate theories are in fact emerging as to why we give back, and over the coming year Greg will be further exploring the science behind our good deeds. After all, as he says in his article, “The question of why people give is at the heart of whether it’s even possible to convince someone to make a difference who doesn’t already want to.”

Read Greg’s full article on Fast Co.Exist, and tell us: Why do you give?

SOURCE volunteermatch

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