Every holiday season, Americans find themselves showered with mailed philanthropy appeals, beseeching phone calls and emotional pleas from Facebook friends seeking support for pet causes.

How should they sift through all these calls to give?

Scholars who study philanthropy and ponder why people should give to charity disagree on which is best. But they all agree that some critical reflection on how to give well is essential for making responsible decisions:

  1. Giving from the heart
  2. Giving to the neediest
  3. Giving mindfully
  4. Giving to heal and address injustices
  5. Giving to overcome unjust policies

Perhaps no single school of thought offers a perfect guide to responsible giving. But the scholars who espouse these different positions all agree on one key point: Donors should reflect more on their giving decisions.

Read the full article about an ethical guide to responsible giving by Ted Lechterman at BizCatalyst 360.