My family used to give; $20 here and there to charities that hit us up, plus larger sums (a couple hundred bucks) once in awhile. Now we're taking a conscious break from any giving until we get ourselves somewhat out of the hole we've dug ourselves.
One of us volunteers; the other two are taking a break since our last volunteer tours of duty ended. I may again, but so far nothing's really caught my attention.
We really want to start giving again, gradually at first, once we get better financially. This feeling has intensified since I started wanting kids, because I want to make sure I'm trying to better the world a little before I leave it to them.
I like the idea of giving a fixed amount (though I'm not religious and thus wouldn't "tithe"). I like the One Percent Club's philosophy, that if everyone who didn't currently donate gave either 1% of their net worth or 5% of their income annually to nonprofits, there would be a big change. We'll probably use that as a goalpost at some point.
I'm not sure about the motivation question. It is interesting and I've pondered it before. I figure it's an instinct, an evolutionary element that keeps our societies bonded and somewhat stable. Though I guess you could argue it goes against the "survival of the fittest" side of evolution, since most of us are drawn to helping those who struggle physically, emotionally, financially or mentally. I hope it is a long-term evolutionary strain that keeps us from destroying our species and our habitat.
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