Giving by Self-Choice or Decree
A recent headline in the Chronicle of Philanthropy got my attention. At first, I wasn't going to write about it. But after further thought and seeing it again, I decided I’d better.
In August, the headline of an opinion piece in the Chronicle of Philanthropy was “Philanthropy Must Stop Ignoring World's Hardest Hit Climate Victims." I would never argue that those who want to help people in the areas of Kenya and others who are seeing changes in their lives based on the changes in rainfall and arid conditions are “wrong-headed..” It was the word “must" that caused me an issue.
I subscribe to the Tony Kornheiser philosophy. If you don't know who that is, he's a sports commentator who has his own podcast, one that I’d recommend highly. Frankly, most of it's not even about sports. On many occasions, Tony comments that any money given to any cause is a good thing and we shouldn't judge others on their philanthropy because if they're doing something to help someone else that is a wonderful gift. And the size of any gift should NOT be judged by outside entities. Philanthropy, overall, is a personal choice and decision.
Over the last few years, I've read more and more about different causes that people say that we must support. Why do I have to support what someone else tells me to, for which they believe in? I don't begrudge them for their belief system or their choices of what they give to.
Consider this. We always, on the inside baseball side of philanthropy, talk about how we should be more donor-centered. Meeting the donor where they are. Meeting their passion to maximize gifts. Doesn't the concept of indicating someone must give to a certain area contradict that entire philosophy? Isn’t it contrary to what we teach?
This is why I'm incredibly deferential to donors and what they believe. What's important to them? If someone wants to give to climate victims, I think that's an awesome thing. In fact, I give to those types of endeavors. But at the end of the day, I don’t think someone wants me telling them what they should give to and I can certainly articulate, without reservation, I don’t want someone telling me what I should give to. What's important to me? More thanks to and for people just being philanthropic and less criticism for what someone gives to should be more of the norm.
