This paper presents a literature review of over 500 articles on charitable giving, identifying eight mechanisms that drive charitable giving: awareness of need, solicitation, costs and benefits, altruism, reputation, psychological benefits, values, and efficacy. These mechanisms provide a theoretical framework for understanding why people donate to charitable organizations. The review covers a wide range of disciplines, including marketing, economics, social psychology, sociology, and anthropology. It highlights the importance of understanding these mechanisms for both academic research and practical fundraising efforts. The review also discusses the effects of various factors on charitable giving, such as the perception of need, the effectiveness of solicitation methods, and the psychological benefits of giving. The findings suggest that charitable giving is influenced by a combination of factors, including the donor's personal values, the perceived need of the beneficiaries, and the social and psychological benefits of giving. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding these mechanisms to improve fundraising strategies and increase charitable giving.This paper presents a literature review of over 500 articles on charitable giving, identifying eight mechanisms that drive charitable giving: awareness of need, solicitation, costs and benefits, altruism, reputation, psychological benefits, values, and efficacy. These mechanisms provide a theoretical framework for understanding why people donate to charitable organizations. The review covers a wide range of disciplines, including marketing, economics, social psychology, sociology, and anthropology. It highlights the importance of understanding these mechanisms for both academic research and practical fundraising efforts. The review also discusses the effects of various factors on charitable giving, such as the perception of need, the effectiveness of solicitation methods, and the psychological benefits of giving. The findings suggest that charitable giving is influenced by a combination of factors, including the donor's personal values, the perceived need of the beneficiaries, and the social and psychological benefits of giving. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding these mechanisms to improve fundraising strategies and increase charitable giving.