Technology has given humanity numerous conveniences and has increased productivity in all sectors. Technology is there in our everyday lives, helping us achieve more in shorter timeframes and also increasing the quality of work. We all use technology, in the office, at home, and even in the field of philanthropy.
Funding has seen a vast improvement
Thanks to global reach on social media and the world wide web, organisations can now obtain donations much faster and more efficiently. Crowdfunding platforms and even digital payments systems have enabled charities all over the world to receive donations from anyone at all thanks to the vast payment options available. Digital wallets have been a boon to charitable organisations because people may be interested in helping through monetary donations, but if it isn’t going to be an easy one-tap solution, people are likely going to back out. Especially since most individuals are finicky about sharing their credit card information through the internet. Having digital wallets means that they have some semblance of control over how much money they add to those wallets and it puts them less at risk of fraudulent usage.
Technology offers better reach through social sharing
Another way that technology has aided philanthropy is through social media. Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, and even TikTok has been a wonderful platform for organisations to share about their individual stories, accomplishments, and goals.
There are plenty of animal rescues that have made an impact online through sharing what is happening to a particular animal. Oftentimes we have found that when there’s a story that goes with a picture, it helps the public empathize more, who are then driven to do something about it rather than sharing broad generalizations that don’t pull on anyone’s heartstrings.
Empathy is a very powerful tool in philanthropy and while people know that there are almost 230 million people suffering in Africa, it isn’t until you can put a name and a story to those 230 million individuals will you begin to make an impact. Social media can bridge that gap by offering the platform to give them the exposure that they need in order to generate help.
Digitization isn’t 100% reality
One key thing to remember is that even though the world is moving online, we cannot neglect the rest of the world. While most Millennials and Gen Zs are online, there are still Boomers who don’t participate in this online culture that has been cultivated, and studies show that they are more likely to engage in charitable activities including donations than their younger counterparts. This could be because they are more financially secure or are in a different stage of their life. In fact, over 52% of donations still occur offline so despite the fact that technology has helped philanthropy in leaps and bounds, it isn’t the only way forward and we need to continue addressing audiences from all walks of life.
You may be interested in: 4 Ways to Contribute to Charities in Your Local Area