March 03, 2008
'Oprah's Big Give' Draws Criticism
The latest project by Oprah Winfrey, the talk-show host and philanthropist, does not give charitable giving a good name, writes Diana R. Sieger, president of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, on her blog.
While acknowledging that Oprah’s Big Give, a new reality television series, may inspire viewers to contribute to their communities, Ms. Sieger writes, “ I am concerned when giving back is depicted as a contest.”
She adds, “I do not like the depiction of giving as a commercial act of charity and the show seems to be a takeoff on The Apprentice in its approach to giving. Good and responsible philanthropy examines needs, tests various approaches to address the needs and measures the relative success. It is long term — not necessarily depressing or sobering but frankly sometimes it is.”
What do you think of Ms. Winfrey’s new series? Do you think it will ultimately exert a good or bad influence on viewers’ philanthropy? Voice your opinion by clicking the “comments” link below.
— Heather Joslyn
Comments
Commenting is closed for this article.
Previous: What Does the Investigation of Obama's Church Mean tor Nonprofit Groups?
Next: Debating Nonprofit Workers' Pay
I found it troubling that the show depicted fundraising as something that could be done in five days with a minimal amount of effort. I can assure you that if we (the college I work for) had Oprah’s name, a television show, and a television camera behind every ask, we would be able to build our endowment in no time.
— Jill Mar 3, 07:22 PM #
I don’t think its a bad thing. she is still helping people. Due to an illness that i have i havent’t been able to work for 5 years now and I don’t get any money from the govt. Im struggling with 3 kids and go to food banks so some people are blessed to get anything. I that God i’m living and don’y have much but i do care and help other people. so let oprah give the way she feels its her money.
— alessa williams Mar 3, 08:25 PM #
What I find nausating is when one person takes action in doing something good there is always 10 other people waiting in the wings to discredit,belittle or criticize the good done and often out of pettiness. Yes, Oprah capitalizes on her brand name to accomplish her goal. Why, exactly is that bad for philanthropy especially if it will inspire others to give to their country, their community, their fellow man. As for combining philantropy and competition,I say let the scoring start. Can you imagine a world were everyone is not trying to get everything they can get but instead give all they can give? I am sorry but I cannot view this as something to belittle.
— nicola Mar 3, 08:32 PM #
I have two problems with the show.
First, for a reality show, it was incredibly unrealistic. The only reason some of the corporate and business donors got involved (to the extent that people received cars and houses, etc.) was because they knew they would get a plug on Oprah’s show and millions of people would be watching. Try raising money for a homeless family and get the same results, even if you have a year’s time to do it, instead of just 5 days.
Second, this knid of individual solution promotes philanthropy as charity and does nothing to educate the public about systemic problems that underlie these issues. Why is a family homeless for a year? Why is a young doctor who wants to give back to his community saddled with $200,000 in loans he has to pay back? Why is a disabled Iraq War vet unable to get back on his feet? Why isn’t Home Depot taking care of the family that lost its breadwinner because he was protecting his (and their) employees during a robbery? If we persist in thinking that individual, bake sale type fundraising is the answer to these questions, then perhaps a few people’s lives will be better off, but we as a nation won’t do anything to solve these problems.
— Cindy Rizzo Mar 3, 08:36 PM #
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centred; forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ultierior motives; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough; give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.
Mother Theresa’s own words.
Oprah: you doing a wonderful job, KEEPING GIVING, AND THEY WILL PAY IT FORWARD.
Ophelia Abrahams
— OPHELIA ABRAHAMS Mar 3, 09:47 PM #
I just wrote my own post on my blog at www.momthought.wordpress.com about Oprah’s new show and TV shows in general that promote helping others. I think some people are helped, but I am not convinced that these shows are motivated by compassion alone.
— Mary Smith Mar 3, 11:29 PM #
According to Business Week Oprah’s the most philanthropic black in U.S. history, having given over $300 million of her own hard earned money away. But this show is not meant to be serious philanthropy, just inspirational feel-good fun that helps people along the way. People need to chill out and not nit-pick over everything.
— hackama Mar 3, 11:41 PM #
Oprah is doing a great thing by making giving mainstream, at the same time as we can see in other things, like rehab for example, making something mainstream does not mean its making something better or people may be doing it just because someone famous is! The fact that she is getting others to give is great, but she is also not addressing the sector as a whole. One of the big problems in the sector is lack of collaboration and individuals earmarking their donations. The show seems to promote both of those things.
— Tera Wozniak Mar 4, 11:33 AM #
I think it is a wonderful thing. She is doing what JFK said “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
— alicia carter Mar 4, 12:16 PM #
I just watched the premier of The Big Give. (Thank God for a DVR! )
I really liked it.
I was really touched by the examples of people bringing community together. Like the woman who’s husband was shot. Wow. They all pulled together. And the balloons. How cool that the family will forever have a way to validate the place Dad has in their lives.
And I loved that the fashion show got panned. Particularly because it had nothing to do with the person. No connection whatsoever. Maybe we’ll hear less of that type of suggestion from our well meaning volunteers.
As a full-time fundraiser, it was a bit annoying to see how “easy” some of them made fundraising look. I’m sure dropping Oprah’s name was a HUGE motivator. While I’m glad for the success they had, I dread the backlash that it may have to my job. “Hey, just watched Oprah last night. When are YOU going to actually raise some money like that?” Ouch.
I’d probably answer, “As soon as Oprah allows me to use her name and the exposure of a national TV show.”
And I did find myself worrying for the people helped. What are the long-term impacts? Sure they gave folks housing for 6 months, but what then? These guys are going to screw up, that’s just life. We all make mistakes. But now they’ll be screwing up with someone’s lives. What are the implications?
Sure, the four judgement areas seem a bit corny. But it is a “reality” show after all. And America watches reality shows.
Oprah certainly knows how to communicate to America!
So this can go a long way in inspiring people to make a difference in their own communities, with their own neighbors. And it can show them that “just raising money” isn’t enough.
And for the nay-sayers that say, “C’mon, they’re just competing for $1 million.” Please. Let it rest. The show is quite clear that they don’t even know what they’re competing for.
I wouldn’t call this “philanthropy.” Perhaps I’m splitting hairs. But it is cool to see the difference a motivated team can do in someone’s life. It can be really addicting!
I like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. But The Big Give seems to “make it real.” You don’t need to be Ty or have a huge show to change a family’s life. You can just be a couple of regular joes with a little seed cash.
And you probably don’t even need the seed cash.
— Marc A. Pitman Mar 4, 01:09 PM #
Oprah’s latest production, “Oprah’s Big Give,” premiered tonight. I am by no means, a cold person, but these, “let’s bring out all the neighbors to watch someone get a new car” shows don’t really sit well with me.
When I’ve watched “Pimp My House”, also known as “Extreme Home Makeover”, I often wonder, who’s gonna pay the taxes, the light bill and the landscaping costs. The show would make more sense to me if people were given higher paying jobs along with the McMansions.
I’ve been confused about how you pull off a show like “Oprah’s Big Give.” It’s basically “Flavor of Love” for charity. Now, I know Oprah walks on water ( I am not being sarcastic, she really does, my friend worked at Harpo), but I thought that it would be hard, for even Oprah to get away with judging and eliminating people for not being charitable enough.
Full disclosure – I tried watching it from the beginning, but Oprah was doing that thing where she yells and extends a word, “The Big GIIIIIVVVVEEE!” Then I watched some of the audition footage and looking at people talk about how much they love to give was a bit hard to stomach. At least with “American Idol”, you can root for someone. It’s hard to sit at home and say, “Umph, she sucks at giving.” After a few moments of , “I love people, I love giving and I just want to save the world…so please pick me Oprah.” I accidentally (on purpose) hit the remote and landed on “Family Guy”. I was torn.
So after watching “Family Guy”, I turned back to “Oprah’s Big Give” and the teams were in full swing, giving their hearts out. I was feeling pretty jaded. I’d seen all of this before. Then Chante, a homeless mom, was givena car, a place to live, some cash and tuition for her kids. Sweet. Even though I think the idea of a charity competition is ridiculous, I loved seeing that woman’s life change. I thought to myself, this isn’t so bad.
Then the judging started. It was mildly humorous to watch the judges walk the fine line of being critical and complimentary. I mean, what can you say to someone who’s just tried to help another human being, even if they failed at the attempt. I think what’s missing in the show is the acknowledgement that trying to help someone is often as meaningful as being successful at it. The whole process seems to be the antithesis of what Oprah is about.
A contestant who helped a woman raise funds, find a location, and secure musical instruments for a charitable program, was told that she could have raised more money. Seriously? What I witnessed when the charity was presented with the gifts, was appreciation. The idea that the contestant somehow failed, is beyond me.
I’ve heard Oprah say that giving what you can is the most important thing. It could be a dollar, it be a million dollars. I agree. I don’t understand why this show isn’t reflective of that spirit. Years ago, I was at church in L.A. that was raising funds for a new stadium (yes, stadium) to hold services in. They had different color envelopes in the pews. One color was for giving less than $500, the other was for more. While my brain processed the multi-color envelopes, a famous award winning actor’s family was ushered onto the pulpit holding a “Price is Right” sized check for several million dollars to donate to the church. I wondered what color envelope they used. Ultimately, I decided not to use either envelope, I figured I’d give my dollar to someone who appreciated as much as the “Price is Right” sized check. This show feels a little bit like that for me.
Who knows? Oprah’s good about surprises. Maybe she’ll do the appropriate thing and reward all of these contestants at the end of the season for all of the good work that they did instead of awarding one “Big Giver.”
http://hampton06.blogspot.com/2008/03/give-big-or-go-home.html
— Hampton Mar 4, 03:10 PM #
I love the concept…it has the potential to change the way we think about organized giving.
what i would love even more…if the $1 million prize had to be…given away
— areaves Mar 5, 08:23 AM #
I don’t see why people have an issue with this show. Just because it doesn’t show people every systemic flaw in our country doesn’t mean it is a bad show. It can’t be everything to everyone.
I think it’s ridiculous to say that any show involving charity needs to comply to do this and that or it is irresponsible.
And I don’t think it’s bad to analyze how someone could have “raised more money.” What’s wrong with showing people how to leverage their charity.
I think the show is only positive. It is fun, charitable, and it’s nice to see someone’s life changed. That should be a welcome addition to shows that are full of death and violence.
And my favorite criticism of the show is that it is unrealistic for a small homeless shelter to raise that much money. That is true, but so completely irrelevant. It would be impossible for the homeless mother to get a foot up in life without the show either. Let’s applaud the show for the impact it has. And if her charity actually makes more money for Harpo, which she can then give away, then brilliant!
We all search for sustainable giving. Let’s not tear down someone who has found it.
— Mike Mar 6, 01:10 PM #
People are giving. Who cares how it is accomplished? I do not see how this can be a bad thing.
— Emma Mar 7, 10:55 AM #
I’m very disappointed how the judges devalued Jake because he thanked the restaurant manager with a car. therefore putting Jake out of the game. How Disrespectful! :(
Home Makeover Extreme Edition is the best, and while Ty is supposed to be the “Star” of the show, he’s not. Ty & the crew makes sure the family & the community is the Ultimate Star of the show.
— William Mar 9, 09:35 PM #
I admire Oprah. She is a positive media figure for women. She sets standards and expectations of herself and those who are around her. However, The Big Give is a disappointment. This is not true giving or philanthropy. Anytime you make a contest out of giving you just lost the true meaning. Giving should come from the heart. It should not be weighed big or small.
We where all put here to help one another on our life’s journey. Some people will help for a minute, some for a day, some for a lifetime. Yet, they all play a role and help accomplish and fulfill a task.
I believe Oprah had good intentions, but has allowed herself to get caught up in the product placement and marketing of TV.
To those who say this its just a show and it portrays good, think about the after effects. Who’s paying taxes on the items being given away? If the people don’t have money to pay their current bills, how will the pay the taxes on these expensive items? Trust me, Ford isn’t.
I believe she could have found a better way to show people how you can Give Big.
— gina grant Mar 10, 10:51 AM #
incredibly inspiring show from an incredibly inspiring woman.
— firemark Mar 10, 06:33 PM #
As a newly trained professional fund raiser, I can understand some of the more jaded comments posted here and in the original posting, but I say, GO OPRAH!!! The idea of philanthropy, the meaningfulness of giving, and yes, even the fun of giving; are all expressed in this show. Millions of people are watching every week, and millions may have a shift in their awareness: that anyone can give, and that if we cooperate, we can make an even bigger difference.
This week’s show when three young men teamed up with an established charity (a hospital) and came up with over $100,000, I thought was very instructive to folks. Obviously, the basics of good fund raising were in place already, and the “Big Give” was a transfusion of energy. Most charities would appreciate a boost like that.
I’m looking forward to the upcoming episodes.
— Mary Azimat Kennedy Mar 11, 02:37 PM #
I was a guest at the Denver Children’s Home Big Give celebration. It was truly amazing to see what Eric, Stephen and Cameron pulled together. They activated the community and leveraged over $250,000 of in-kind contributions, improving the Home for the kids. The editing did not reflect how all three mobilized the community and accomplished such great things, especially compared to the other contestants. I was particularly moved when Eric rode back on top of a Denver fire department truck at 10:30 to close the celebration after giving his car to a single mom.
— Mourene Tesler Mar 12, 02:41 PM #
Giving was shown to us by our Creator. So no matter how BIG or SMALL nothing is lost or wasted. The IMAGE is GLORIOUS!!!
— Debra Mar 14, 09:29 AM #
I find the game aspects disturbing, yet I feel the show is putting the topic of philanthropy “out there” in a big way for us all to discuss. No one “owns” the concept of philanthropy, anyway. There are many, many different ways to give. Anyway, it’s disturbed me enough so that I, too, have started to blog about it. http://alittlegem@blogspot.com
— jde Mar 14, 04:29 PM #
I find the game aspects disturbing, yet I feel the show is putting the topic of philanthropy “out there” in a big way for us all to discuss. No one “owns” the concept of philanthropy, anyway. There are many, many different ways to give. Anyway, it’s disturbed me enough so that I, too, have started to blog about it. http://alittlegem.blogspot.com
— jde Mar 14, 04:30 PM #