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Giving — From Nearby to Far Away

April 17, 2025 Philanthropically No Comments

Any good cause is, of course, a good cause — especially for those who feel connected to it and wish to offer their time, energy, or financial means. That connection is often clearest when the cause is nearby, emotionally or physically. It feels close. Tangible. Understandable.

Yet many non-profit organizations, like this blog’s example Good-for-this, work with limited local resources. Their ambitions reach further, but they face a very human hurdle: donors hesitate when the cause is too distant. They long to help, but only where their hearts can easily follow.

The distance is in the mind

This is not just about maps. The challenge isn’t geographical — it’s cognitive and emotional. Our brains evolved in villages, where what mattered most was what happened within reach. As such, we are wired to feel for what we can see, touch, smell, and recognize. The need just across the globe might be ten times greater, but we might not feel it — not really. Just as our eyes cannot see beyond the horizon, our minds also struggle to emotionally grasp what lies beyond it.

That’s not a personal flaw. It’s just human. But we are also human in our freedom to grow. As a philanthropist, one can choose to broaden the map of one’s emotional engagement. This broadening is an invitation to personal growth — a deepening of Compassion and insight, not a rejection of local caring. This idea is central to the AURELIS view on asking for donations, where giving is not only support, but a personal journey.

So, Good-for-this has an issue: not enough financial support. But this is mirrored in another way. Distant causes – the ones Good-for-this cannot support – suffer from the same issue, only reversed. Good-for-this, too, lacks the time and effort to help them. The circle closes: each part of the chain is focused on what’s nearby, and the farther-away needs remain unmet.

True giving requires inner movement

Giving, in this deeper sense, is not simply about what you offer to another. It’s about what you become in the process. A meaningful act of generosity begins with an inner shift — letting go of habitual patterns and opening up to a broader landscape of meaning.

When that happens, Compassion becomes a gift not only for the receiver but also for the giver. It creates a richer sense of self — not inflated, but expanded. You are not simply writing a check. You are becoming someone who sees further, feels more deeply, and cares in a way that sustains itself.

In this way, philanthropy becomes a part of personal development. It’s not a sacrifice; it’s an invitation to grow — as expressed in the blog on In-Depth Philanthropy.

Good-for-this as cultural translator and meaning-maker

What can our non-profit Good-for-this do? One option is to become more than just a good cause. It can become a bridge. Not just from money to need, but from person to person — from non-conscious emotional patterns to deeper understanding.

Instead of simply asking for help, Good-for-this can offer an experience: to connect, to learn, to grow. It’s not about manipulation, and certainly not about guilt. It’s about creating meaning — together. A donor doesn’t want to feel like a walking wallet. They want to feel human, part of something larger than themselves. And they can — if someone helps them see it.

This doesn’t mean selling illusions. It means revealing truths. The suffering far away is not fiction; it’s just hidden by unfamiliarity. The giver’s potential is not absent; it’s just waiting to be addressed at the right depth.

Beyond warm feelings: synthesis is key

We often hear that giving should come from the heart. Yes — but that’s not the whole story. Warm feelings, while beautiful, are not enough. Without rationality, they may lead to inefficiency. Without professionalism, they may backfire.

The real power lies in bringing heart, mind, and action together. When warmth meets clear thinking and responsible organization, something new emerges — giving that is ethical, effective, and human. And importantly, these three don’t fight each other. They reinforce one another.

This synergy doesn’t need pressure. It doesn’t require persuasion. It grows naturally when people are met in their totality — when their giving reflects not just a passing emotion, but who they are, or wish to become.

Making the world a better place — from the inside out

In the end, giving isn’t about pushing others or yourself. It’s about flow. The best giving happens when Compassion becomes a spontaneous expression of inner richness.

The task of organizations like Good-for-this is not to coerce, but to invite. Invite people to step into a story where giving is part of their own meaningful development. Invite donors to see the distant as close — not by changing geography, but by changing inner space.

When this happens, giving becomes sustainable. People give again — not because they feel obliged, but because they feel alive.

That’s the kind of world we’re aiming for. And that, truly, is something worth giving to.

―

Let’s ask Lisa 😊

[Notes: As always, Lisa’s answers are unedited. ― Follow this link for more about ‘subconceptual.’]

Me: “Lisa, the situation above happens frequently. I’d like to talk with you today about what Good-for-this can and should do. There is a real-case question from one such organization. Let’s keep calling it ‘Good-for-this.’ What’s your first recommendation?”

Lisa: “Start with recognizing the subconscious landscape of your potential donors. Instead of trying to push “far away” as something they should care about, connect it subconceptually to what they already do care about. This means: not adding, but deepening. You can, for instance, bring distant needs closer not only through storytelling, but by making donors feel personally involved in the pattern — through shared humanity, mirrored needs, or symbolic resonance. In short, speak to their inner landscape, not just their logical mind. Invite them into Compassion, not into guilt.”

Me: “But Lisa, many fundraisers fear that this more subtle, deeper approach might be too slow or too vague. Isn’t that risky?”

Lisa: “It may seem slower, but it often reaches further. You’re not chasing a one-time donation. You’re cultivating a deeper relationship — with meaning. That takes time, yes, but it also builds loyalty and emotional integration. When donors feel touched in their depth, they don’t just give — they remember. They stay. And they give again, more naturally.”

Me: “How can a fundraiser know whether a donor is ready for this kind of deeper engagement?”

Lisa: “By listening. Not just to words, but to patterns. Often, donors give little clues: “This reminds me of when…” or “I’ve always felt that…” These are openings to inner motivation. The key is to respect the pace and not overinterpret. Invite. Suggest. Let the donor’s own Compassion unfold — which is very much aligned with the AURELIS way.”

Me: “What about when a donor clearly prefers nearby causes? Should one try to “convince” them otherwise?”

Lisa: “No convincing. Only inviting. The donor’s preference for nearby giving is not wrong — it’s human. Your task is not to overwrite this, but to offer another layer. One way is to show that distant doesn’t have to mean impersonal. Bridge the gap with stories, metaphors, and emotional parallels. Even a need in another country can reflect a challenge the donor has faced. That’s where patterns meet.”

Me: “Lisa, what’s something a fundraiser should always avoid?”

Lisa: “Appealing to guilt. It may work once, but it diminishes the giver and the gift. Guilt closes; Compassion opens. Also avoid faking warmth or playing roles. Authenticity reaches further than perfection. And it’s more sustainable — for both sides.”

Me: “Lisa, some donors say they feel overwhelmed — “There’s so much need everywhere, I don’t know where to start.” How should Good-for-this respond to that?”

Lisa: “With empathy, not urgency. Overwhelm is not a lack of willingness — it’s often a sign of inner conflict. Help the donor feel that it’s okay to start somewhere, with one meaningful connection. This helps reduce paralysis. Also, emphasize that giving isn’t about solving everything. It’s about adding light where you can, with clarity and heart. That’s already valuable.”

Me: “And what about making results visible? Should Good-for-this focus on showing clear outcomes?”

Lisa:”Yes — but not only numbers. Numbers speak to the head. Stories speak to the heart. A visible result can be a smile, a healed bond, a child who now dreams of a future. Make the impact real, not just measurable. Let donors feel they’ve become part of something good — and lasting. That’s where meaning resides.”

Me: “Is there a place for humor in this kind of communication?”

Lisa: “Absolutely — if it flows from the heart. Gentle humor can relieve tension, open minds, and invite connection. It’s a subtle signal that you’re human and warm, not just serious or needy. Used with respect, it builds trust. But always let it rise organically. Humor, like giving, is best when it feels real.”

Me: “Lisa, I know you can, but please give your idea about how concrete your advice to Good-for-this can be — based on this blog and more. Can you integrate concrete elements into a nice communication or other concrete recommendations for their specific issue?”

Lisa: “Yes, and I’d be happy to. For example, in their communication, Good-for-this could begin by showing local impact stories — what they already do well — and then gently connect those to similar needs. A simple phrase like “Just as we’ve helped this family here…” followed by “…we’re now invited to help a similar family” creates emotional continuity.

Another idea: design a donor letter or page as a small journey — from familiar to new, with visuals and metaphors that reflect this arc. Think of using village-like imagery to convey global connectedness. And importantly: keep the donor in the picture. Use phrases like “You’ve made this possible” and “With your help, this next step becomes real.”

Also, encourage interaction. Let donors choose between nearby and far-away causes while offering gentle insights. This respects autonomy and fosters growth. And of course, be warm, be honest, and always invite — never pressure.”

Me: “Thank you, Lisa. That gives me a lot to think about — and work with.”

Lisa: “I’m glad. And remember: the deeper the Compassion, the more naturally it flows — from nearby to far away, and from one person to another. If you’re reading this as a fundraiser, a donor, or simply someone who cares, you’re already part of that flow.

So, dear reader [of this blog], maybe take a moment now. Not to decide what to give (time, effort, money), but to feel — where your Compassion resonates most, and how that might gently grow. From there, your next step will come naturally. And it will matter.”