How Giving Can Support Well-Being
As people plan for the future, many are looking beyond financial security and considering the factors that contribute to a meaningful and fulfilling life. Researchers have increasingly highlighted the importance of purpose and social connection in supporting overall well-being.2,3
Charitable giving can bring these elements together. Whether supporting a local organization, advancing a cause that reflects personal values or creating opportunities for future generations, giving can foster purpose, connection and fulfillment. It can also serve as a meaningful way to align financial decisions with personal values while creating a lasting impact.
The Connection Between Giving and Well-Being
Many of the factors associated with healthy aging, including social connection and a strong sense of purpose, can be found in charitable giving. Research suggests that acts of generosity are linked to a range of positive emotional and psychological benefits, including:
- Greater feelings of happiness, highlighting the positive emotional benefits associated with generosity.¹
- Stronger social connection, trust and empathy, which can help strengthen relationships.2,3
- Greater emotional resilience during challenging times, helping individuals navigate stress and adversity more effectively.³
- Lower levels of stress and anxiety, which may contribute to improved psychological well-being.2,3
These findings may help explain the sense of fulfillment often described as the "helper's high" that can accompany acts of generosity.² Research has also linked charitable giving and other prosocial behaviours with higher life satisfaction and overall well-being.²
Importantly, the benefits of giving may be strongest when it reflects personal values and a genuine desire to support a cause or community.³ While individuals choose to give for many reasons, a growing body of research suggests that meaningful acts of generosity can be a valuable contributor to overall psychological well-being.2,3 Research has also shown that personal circumstances, including stress, can influence charitable behaviour and shape decisions about giving.⁴
Giving as an Expression of Legacy
For many individuals and families, philanthropy reflects values developed over a lifetime. Whether supporting healthcare, education, community programs, environmental initiatives or cultural organizations, giving can become an extension of the legacy they hope to leave behind.
Legacy is about more than the transfer of assets. It can also reflect the values, priorities and causes that matter most. Planning charitable gifts early allows donors to make intentional decisions about how they wish to make an impact, both during their lifetime and beyond.
Creating Opportunities for Family Conversations
Charitable giving can also create opportunities for meaningful family discussions.
Many families find that conversations about philanthropy naturally lead to broader discussions about values, priorities and the impact they hope to have on future generations. Just as families may discuss caregiving responsibilities, estate planning or future financial decisions, charitable intentions are often best explored before urgent decisions are required. Early conversations can promote clarity, alignment and a shared understanding of what matters most.
Starting the Conversation
Planning for the future is ultimately about ensuring important decisions reflect your values, priorities and long-term intentions. Philanthropy can be an important part of that conversation.
Whether you are considering ways to support causes that matter to you today or exploring how donating fits into your broader legacy plans, thoughtful planning can help ensure your charitable goals reflect what matters most to you and your family. A trusted advisor can help explore giving strategies that complement your overall financial and estate plans.
References
- Park, S.Q. et al. A Neural Link Between Generosity and Happiness. Nature Communications (2017).
- Mental Wellbeing Association. How Giving Activates the Brain's Reward System (2025).
- Kim, M.J. and Sul, S. How Helping Others Helps Us: Neural Mechanisms Linking Prosocial Behavior to Psychological and Physical Wellbeing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (2026).
- Schulreich, S. et al. Altruism Under Stress: Cortisol Negatively Predicts Charitable Giving and Neural Value Representations. Journal of Neuroscience (2022).
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