November 03, 2009
A Critique of Consumer 'Giving,' and More: Tuesday's Roundup
- Lucy Bernholz, an adviser to foundations, thinks that embedded giving — namely, the incorporation of charitable gifts into consumer purchases — is a “rip-off” because it puts too many steps between a nonprofit group and a donor, lacks reporting standards, and has the effect of individual donors giving away their charitable deduction to companies. On her blog, Philanthropy 2173, she asks readers to share their run-ins with embedded giving during the holiday season.
- Good magazine interviews Matthew Bishop, a co-author of Philanthrocapitalism: How Giving Can Save the World, on the eve of the book’s release in paperback. Mr. Bishop says that the recession has increased talk of mergers and collaborations among charities, which he calls “an opportunity rather than a disaster for philanthrocapitalism.”
- Scott E. Hartley, a graduate student at Columbia University and a former employee at Google, writes about open-source technology and its implications for philanthropy on the Stanford Social Innovation blog.
Comments
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Lucy has it right. At best, the benefits to the company and charity are lop-sided. Just look at the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island campaign as an example. American Express donated ONE PENNY per transaction, and opened vast numbers of profitable accounts, while charity got a paltry $6 million.
— Jeff Steele Nov 3, 03:40 PM #