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When trust feels broken, giving might be the way back.

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I’m deeply concerned about the erosion of trust in our world. Research consistently shows that people today are less likely to trust their government, large corporations, elected officials, and even one another. And I fall squarely in this group. I find myself critically questioning and distrusting what I hear in the news to what’s in the food I buy at the grocery store.


Only 29 percent of Americans say they believe large corporations have a positive effect on the way things are going in the country. The share of Americans who say “most people can be trusted” has dropped from 46 percent in 1972 to just 34 percent today. The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer calls this a “collision of trust, innovation, and politics,” reflecting a growing skepticism of the very systems meant to serve us.


The reasons are complex. As local newspapers close, our collective attention has shifted from regional to national issues. Social media keeps us following distant influencers rather than our own neighbors. These and other factors have resulted in a loss of shared understanding, and with it, a loss of connection.


But there is good news. Trust can be rebuilt.


The Evidence-Based Solution: Engagement

Research shows that engagement, through giving and volunteering, strengthens communities and personal well-being. Studies by the Do Good Institute and the OECD have found that volunteering boosts social connectedness, increases civic participation, and builds local resilience. The Journal of Economic Psychology found that people who regularly give or volunteer report higher life satisfaction and lower stress.


The Independent Sector’s Trust in Civil Society Report (2025) adds another powerful insight: nonprofits remain among the most trusted institutions in the U.S., with 57 percent of Americans expressing high trust in nonprofits, compared to less than 30 percent who say the same of government or major corporations.

So, if you’re feeling discouraged or disconnected, there’s something within your control: get involved locally. Volunteer. Make a thoughtful, values-aligned gift. Join a community board or a nonprofit committee. When we participate in something meaningful, we see its impact firsthand. Transparency grows, stewardship matters, and over time, trust follows.


Rebuilding Trust through Action

If you’ve given before and felt disappointed, maybe you made a donation and never heard back, don’t stop there. Follow up. Ask what impact your gift made and how your contribution is helping. If you put money in a bank, you’d expect to hear about your returns. The same principle applies here. Feedback and transparency are the building blocks of trust.


If you’ve tried to volunteer and were never contacted or weren’t given meaningful work, try again somewhere else. Every organization is different, and some simply haven’t built strong volunteer systems yet.


And just like you would when buying a vacuum, shop around. If one nonprofit doesn’t communicate well or follow through, find another. Be as intentional about your community engagement as you are about finding the best deal on your next washing machine. (Okay, maybe that’s a stretch — but you get my point.)


Remember that most nonprofits are operating on incredibly thin margins, often with small teams doing mission-driven work. We owe them more grace than we give our Amazon purchases. Trust takes effort on both sides, and part of rebuilding it is recognizing the human effort behind the good that gets done, and being there to help.


And if you want to make a significant impact but don’t have time to manage the details, that’s where Jonesing for Good can help. We align your values, assets, and giving preferences with vetted nonprofits, handle the execution of your gifts, and provide regular impact updates. You’ll know exactly how your contribution is creating change, and you’ll see trust restored through results.


In a time when distrust feels like the default, giving and engagement offer a clear path forward. When we invest in our communities, we invest in trust itself.


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