One percent seems low for an initial pledge, given that the “average American” donates ~2% of income
FWIW, I don’t think this is a great reference point. The 2015 Money for Good study found a median gift of ~.4% of income in their sample (which overweighted high income households), and 1% giving would be something like to top quintile. So getting young people to (initially) donate 1% to effective causes seems like an excellent win.
Good point: “Average giving” =/= “what a typical American gives”, and the latter is a better reference point. I’ve had the title of an article called “The Stubborn 2% Giving Rate” stuck in my head for too long, but the number doesn’t really apply here.
FWIW, I don’t think this is a great reference point. The 2015 Money for Good study found a median gift of ~.4% of income in their sample (which overweighted high income households), and 1% giving would be something like to top quintile. So getting young people to (initially) donate 1% to effective causes seems like an excellent win.
Good point: “Average giving” =/= “what a typical American gives”, and the latter is a better reference point. I’ve had the title of an article called “The Stubborn 2% Giving Rate” stuck in my head for too long, but the number doesn’t really apply here.