Welcome to the online press kit for Cherian Koshy
Unlocking the Science of Generosity
In 'Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making,' Cherian Koshy bridges neuroscience, behavioral economics, and storytelling to reveal how the brain makes decisions about giving.
For more than two decades, Cherian Koshy has been helping organizations understand one of humanity’s most powerful — and misunderstood — instincts: generosity.
As the author of “Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making” (Dec. 9, 2025, Wiley), Koshy bridges neuroscience, behavioral economics, and storytelling to reveal how the brain actually makes decisions about giving and how fundraisers can design donor experiences that feel human, not transactional.
"Neurogiving" landed on the USA Today Bestseller list immediately upon its publication, and also ranked #6 on Amazon’s list of books on business and finance. It is highly unusual and a significant achievement for a book focusing on nonprofits to make the USA Today list, which ranks the top 150 best-selling books nationwide across all genres and formats
“Earning a spot on the USA Today bestseller list — nearly unheard of for a fundraising book — underscores a powerful truth: Our sector is eager for science-based insights that make generosity more meaningful and effective,” Koshy said. “Neurogiving is more than a book — it’s becoming a movement reshaping how our field understands donors, designs experiences, and inspires generosity.”
About Cherian Koshy
Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Cherian Koshy is one of the nonprofit sector’s leading voices on the neuroscience of giving, ethical AI, and behavioral fundraising.
A Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®), Koshy serves on the Association of Fundraising Professionals Global Board of Directors (Treasurer), The Giving Institute Board, and the Forbes Nonprofit Council.
After his successful exit of his AI company, Koshy serves as Vice President of Kindsight. Through his keynotes, workshops, and advisory sessions, he empowers mission-driven organizations to move beyond outdated fundraising tactics and tap into the natural, hardwired desire humans have to give.
He works with philanthropic foundations, nonprofit executives, and social impact tech companies to unlock generosity and build memory-first engagement systems that foster loyalty and trust. His message is simple: Generosity is hardwired, not a hard sell.
Koshy’s work has been featured in leading nonprofit journals and podcasts, as well as at conferences including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy, and CASE.
About the Book — “Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making”
In “Neurogiving,” Koshy brings together neuroscience, behavioral science, and ethical AI to answer one of philanthropy’s most urgent questions:
Why are donors giving more money — but fewer people are giving overall?
His research reveals that traditional fundraising methods are misaligned with how the brain experiences generosity. Using insights from neuroscience, behavioral triggers, and cognitive bias research, “Neurogiving” provides a roadmap to remove friction and activate generosity at its source: the mind.
Inside “Neurogiving,” readers will discover:
- The Neuroscience of Generosity — How empathy, trust, and memory shape giving.
- The Friction Factor — Why even well-meaning nonprofits unintentionally block generosity.
- Memory and Motivation — How attention and recall drive long-term donor relationships.
- Ethical AI and Donor Trust — Designing technology that strengthens, not exploits, human connection.
- Behavioral Fundraising in Action — Real-world case studies turning brain science into better results.
“When we understand how the brain gives, we can build a more generous world.” — Cherian Koshy
About the Framework — Neurogiving Live Workshops and Advisory
Koshy’s live and virtual workshops bring “Neurogiving" to life through actionable training for leaders, fundraisers, and boards. His programs include:
- The Cost of Forgetting: How memory shapes donor behavior.
- Exactly What to Say™ for Fundraisers: Brain-based language patterns that build trust.
- AI and the Human Donor: How to integrate data and ethics for the next decade of philanthropy.
Each experience is customized. Koshy offers keynotes, retreats, and executive coaching engagement which help teams transform donor relationships from transactions into meaningful connections.
The Neurogiving Philosophy
We live in a distracted world where attention is fleeting and trust is fragile. Yet, generosity endures.
Koshy teaches that generosity isn’t a tactic; rather, it’s our nature. When organizations understand the brain’s design for empathy and connection, they can create giving experiences that feel authentic, effortless, and emotionally resonant.
Through “Neurogiving,” he offers a vision of philanthropy that’s deeply human, grounded in science, and guided by ethics.
PRESS RELEASE 12/12/2025 ‘Neurogiving The Science of Donor Decision-Making’ Is a USA Today Bestseller
Download a one pager.
Public websites: CherianKoshy.com, NeurogivingBook.com.