Giving Across Faith Traditions
Chapter Leadership Brief 4.4.25
by Susan Madon, CFRE
CEO, Minerva Non-Profit Management Consulting
During this Christian season of Lent, I am reminded of my parochial school days. Each Lenten season we were given a cardboard “rice bowl” and asked to fill the bowl with our coins and change. The object was to eat a modest meal once a week and offer the cost difference to feed the poor overseas. Other faith tenets conduct similar practices, and I thought it would be interesting to explore the similarities across traditions in kindness, philanthropy, and generosity.
Across traditions, there is a common thread emphasizing that true charity should be performed with humility, sincerity, and without expectation of reward or recognition. As fundraisers, it is wise to understand the giving values of our donors and prepare our invitations to give at appropriate times throughout the year. For example, 70% of Muslims give charitably during Ramadan because they believe the gift’s blessing will be multiplied. And according to Giving USA, people of faith give over three times that of secular givers and volunteer twice as much.
Across the world's major faith traditions, charity stands as a cornerstone of spiritual and ethical practice, though each religion approaches it with distinct nuances and requirements. In Christianity, charity (caritas) represents the highest expression of love for both God and neighbor, emphasizing spontaneous giving without seeking recognition. Islam structures charitable giving through two main channels: Zakat, a mandatory giving that forms one of the religion's Five Pillars, and Sadaqah, which encompasses voluntary acts of kindness and giving. Judaism approaches charity through the concept of Tzedakah, considering it not merely voluntary generosity but an ethical obligation, traditionally setting 10% of income as the standard for giving while emphasizing the importance of helping others achieve self-sufficiency.
Hindu tradition embraces Dana (giving) and Seva (selfless service) as fundamental spiritual practices, viewing charitable acts to reduce material attachment and achieve spiritual growth. Similarly, Buddhism places Dana at the center of its practice, recognizing three distinct forms of giving: material assistance, providing fearlessness, and sharing spiritual teachings. The Buddhist approach emphasizes the importance of pure motivation in charitable acts, viewing giving as a practical method to overcome greed and attachment.
Sikhism demonstrates its commitment to charitable giving through the practice of Dasvandh, which calls for devotees to give one-tenth of their earnings, while also emphasizing Seva as a fundamental expression of faith. The Sikh tradition of Langar, where free meals are served to all regardless of background, perfectly exemplifies their commitment to universal charity and equality. My husband is a member of the Zoroastrian community which is one of the earliest forms of monotheism. Their chief tenet is “good thoughts, good words, good deeds” and like other faiths they practice giving 10% of their earnings.
Philanthropy transcends religious boundaries, offering a universal language of compassion and generosity. As the Dalai Lama XIV so eloquently states, "In giving we not only find wealth while in cyclic existence, but we achieve the zenith of prosperity in supreme enlightenment." This profound insight highlights the transformative power of giving, suggesting that it not only benefits others but also enriches the giver, leading to a deeper sense of fulfillment and spiritual growth. Whether through mandatory giving, voluntary acts of kindness, or selfless service, the act of giving unites people across faiths in a shared pursuit of making the world a better place.
Susan Madon, CFRE is the CEO of Minerva Non-Profit Management Consulting a boutique consultancy serving small and mid-sized nonprofits particularly focused on education, poverty alleviation, faith-based organizations and the arts. She is on the board of AFP-NYC where she serves on the Committee for Directorship and the Government Relations and Ethics Committee. She is the author of “The Disappearing Donor,” a light suspense novel of fundraising best practices and is on the faculty of Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Jacksonville University and an MBA from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.