Giving feels good, and science confirms it’s good for us, too. In this post, Shannon breaks down four research-supported reasons generosity improves health, connection, and long-term engagement, benefiting both individuals and organizations.
What research reveals about generosity, well-being, and lasting impact.
At Everything Gala, we spend a lot of time talking about generosity: how to inspire it, how to honor it, and how to build events that encourage meaningful giving. But there’s something we don’t always pause to say out loud…giving doesn’t just change lives on the receiving end. It profoundly benefits the giver, too.
Research consistently shows that generosity has lasting physical, emotional, and psychological benefits. Whether someone gives their time, talent, or financial support, the act of giving creates a ripple effect that improves overall well-being. In fact, people who volunteer or give regularly often report lower stress levels, stronger social connections, and greater life satisfaction.
Here are FOUR powerful reasons to begin (or continue) a tradition of giving.
1. Giving Makes You Happier
One of the most compelling findings in positive psychology is that generosity increases happiness.
Dr. Laurie Santos, professor of psychology at Yale University and creator of the wildly popular course The Science of Well-Being, highlights that humans are wired to feel happier when they give to others. Acts of generosity activate the brain’s reward system, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, the same chemicals associated with joy, trust, and connection.
In other words, giving isn’t just altruistic. It’s biologically rewarding. This is why donors often describe giving as fulfilling, energizing, or deeply meaningful. When generosity becomes a habit, happiness tends to follow.
2. Giving Supports Physical Health
Generosity doesn’t stop at emotional benefits; it also supports long-term physical health.
Multiple studies in health and wellness research show that people who give their time or resources experience lower stress levels and reduced blood pressure. Chronic stress is a contributing factor to many serious health conditions, including heart disease and weakened immune response. Giving helps counteract that stress by fostering purpose and reducing feelings of isolation.
Organizations like the National Institutes of Health and major public health foundations have repeatedly linked volunteering and charitable engagement with longer life expectancy and improved overall health.
Simply put, generosity is good medicine.
3. Giving Strengthens Social Connection
Humans are social beings, and generosity reinforces that truth.
Research in social psychology shows that giving builds trust, deepens relationships, and strengthens communities. When someone gives, it often creates a chain reaction. Recipients are more likely to pay it forward, and givers feel more connected to the people and causes they support.
Strong social ties are consistently associated with better mental health, reduced loneliness, and greater resilience during challenging times. Giving creates shared purpose, and shared purpose builds lasting connection.
4. Giving Is Contagious
One generous act rarely stands alone.
Behavioral science research has shown that generosity inspires generosity. When people witness others giving, especially within their own social circles, it increases the likelihood that they’ll give, too. This is why peer-to-peer fundraising, table captains, and visible leadership giving are so effective at events.
Generosity sets a tone. It signals values. And once it starts, it spreads.
Why This Matters for Your Organization
When you invite donors to give, you’re not just asking them to support your mission. You’re offering them an opportunity to feel happier, healthier, and more connected. That’s a powerful invitation.
Building a tradition of giving benefits everyone involved: your organization, your donors, and your broader community. And when generosity is woven thoughtfully into your events and engagement strategy, it becomes something people look forward to, not just something they’re asked to do.
If you’d like help designing fundraising experiences that honor generosity and inspire meaningful connection, we’d love to talk. Everything Gala is here to help you create events that feel good—and do good—for everyone involved.
Consider sharing this with your donors as a simple, research-backed reminder of why giving feels good and why it matters.
written by…
Shannon Eason
CEO of Everything Gala &
International Auctioneer Champion
Shannon Eason, Founder and CEO of Everything Gala, is a dynamic and engaging force in the world of fundraising. As an International Auctioneer Champion, she’s mastered the art of captivating audiences—blending charisma, energy, and strategy to inspire generosity and help organizations crush their fundraising goals. A recognized expert in the field, Shannon has presented at workshops, seminars, and conferences from coast to coast, sharing her insights and passion for elevating fundraising events. Through Everything Gala, she partners with nonprofits, schools, and socially driven causes to turn purpose into powerful results.
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