First Day Podcast

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Betsy Erickson, Head of Family and Individual Services at Arabella Advisors, to dissect the top obstacles donors face when it comes to charitable giving. Backed by a collaborative study from the Gates Foundation, Arabella Advisors, and others, the conversation dives into the psychological and logistical hurdles that deter even the most well-intentioned philanthropists. These include the paradox of too many choices, lack of urgency, and fear of public scrutiny—factors that reveal the complexity of modern giving. As Betsy puts it, "Donors are more connected to societal problems than ever, yet often feel paralyzed by the enormity of these issues." The study identified ten key barriers to charitable giving, ranging from practical challenges—like an overwhelming number of nonprofit options and tedious administrative tasks—to deeper psychological concerns, such as perfectionism, fear of failure, and societal polarization. Nota