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Dr. James explains why identifying with others is so powerful in a donor’s hero story

iMarketSmart

Natural origins of giving: I am like them Altruism means I give away something valuable to help another. Most altruism in animals matches this model. How could natural selection lead to altruism? It helps you, but it costs me. Altruism is still costly. This opens the possibility for reciprocal altruism.

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Dr. James explains why sustainable giving starts by answering, “Do we have a shared future?”

iMarketSmart

Without this, reciprocal altruism fails. Capacity for reciprocity in nature: Strangers vs. neighbors In nature, reciprocal altruism starts with the same question: Do we have a shared future? (In Without this shared future, reciprocal helping disappears. Reciprocal altruism starts with this question: Do we have a shared future?

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Dr. James Explains How Asking Permission Sets the Stage for “The Ask”

iMarketSmart

More time can help. More time can help. People tend to predict they will help. This prediction is higher than the actual help they would have given if asked immediately. Getting people to first predict their actions increases helping. It helps explain the power of feasibility studies. This is no surprise.

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The importance of expressing impact and gratitude in fundraising

iMarketSmart

Biologists model reciprocal altruism with a game.[1] But it helps the other player more than it costs. In the game, expressing desire for a social, helpful-reciprocity relationship is meaningful. Do these signal a social, helpful-reciprocity relationship? The university had a chance to help, and it didn’t.

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The Power of Heroic Philanthropy: Understanding Donor Motivations

iMarketSmart

In time of need, a friend would help. This happened even if the help could never be fully paid back. Getting unconditional help in a crisis is great. It can show the ability and willingness to deliver transactionally unjustified help and protection. This is different than helping those who aren’t in peril.

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How transactional donor relationships kill generosity

iMarketSmart

In a scale, it might look like this: Helpful reciprocity Loved one (lover, spouse, close family) Friend Teammate Colleague Neighbor Community member Transactional reciprocity Customer Merchant Stranger Harmful reciprocity Competitor Enemy Relationship signals are reciprocity signals. It’s saying, “We’re not here to help you!”

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3 Big Reasons Why An ‘Ask’ Is Mostly About Your Donor’s Hero Story (Not Your Organization’s)

iMarketSmart

But increasing anger didn’t work if the gift just generally helped people. Does this mean that deadlines help? International Journal of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology, 3 (1), 65-83. Political Psychology, 25 (4), 507-523; Miller, J.M, Explorations in political psychology. Psychology Press; Schwam-Baird, M.