Comments on: Can charity be cool? http://blog.givewell.org/2007/05/02/can-charity-be-cool/ Exploring how to get real change for your dollar. Thu, 17 May 2012 06:19:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.7 by: Holden http://blog.givewell.org/2007/05/02/can-charity-be-cool/#comment-2962 Sat, 05 May 2007 01:10:41 +0000 http://blog.givewell.org/2007/05/02/can-charity-be-cool/#comment-2962 Gayle and Katya - both of you, in my view, are talking about getting people engaged in donating through something that's almost like a "trap" - getting their interest through one thing (a charitable "image" that increases sex appeal; a social event distinct from donating) and then hoping that this will translate to another, more valuable but not quite connected thing (actual donating). This isn't necessarily a bad or futile approach, but it does have that inherent obstacle. What I am talking about is a way to get a much smaller group of people to be genuinely passionate about donating itself - the donation decision is interesting once you drop the mentality that all charities and all donations are wonderful. Gillian - I responded to you via email about the School of St. Jude. Gayle and Katya - both of you, in my view, are talking about getting people engaged in donating through something that’s almost like a “trap” - getting their interest through one thing (a charitable “image” that increases sex appeal; a social event distinct from donating) and then hoping that this will translate to another, more valuable but not quite connected thing (actual donating).

This isn’t necessarily a bad or futile approach, but it does have that inherent obstacle. What I am talking about is a way to get a much smaller group of people to be genuinely passionate about donating itself - the donation decision is interesting once you drop the mentality that all charities and all donations are wonderful.

Gillian - I responded to you via email about the School of St. Jude.

]]> by: Gillian http://blog.givewell.org/2007/05/02/can-charity-be-cool/#comment-2896 Fri, 04 May 2007 00:31:13 +0000 http://blog.givewell.org/2007/05/02/can-charity-be-cool/#comment-2896 But lots of people ARE voluntarily, proactively, and obsessively interested in particular issues!! There are literally thousands of passionate charities that are run and supported by people who are totally devoted (obsessed with) to making a difference. These great projects seem to attract lots of supporters and really pick up momentum. The School of St Jude, in Arusha, Tanzania, was started by the force-of-nature, Gemma Sisia, in 2002. By 2006 donor support had grown to $1mill pa, and a second school has been begun. How far can this woman go?? She takes bright children from the poorest homes and gives them quality education, meals and clothes. To spread the benefit, she takes only one child per family. That must break hearts!! Given enough support, she'll be providing excellent education to half of Tanzania, one of the poorest countries in the world. Controversial? -- no Competitive? -- yes - to be the best! the school already outperforms upmarket international private schools on exam scores. Time-consuming? -- oh, yeah, and I'm just a supporter. Check out my blog -- www.schoolstjude.blogspot.com I reckon this project would stack up well on your guidelines for effective philanthropy. What do we have to do to be looked at? <i>Don't ask little of me, you might get it.</i> But lots of people ARE voluntarily, proactively, and obsessively interested in particular issues!!
There are literally thousands of passionate charities that are run and supported by people who are totally devoted (obsessed with) to making a difference. These great projects seem to attract lots of supporters and really pick up momentum.

The School of St Jude, in Arusha, Tanzania, was started by the force-of-nature, Gemma Sisia, in 2002. By 2006 donor support had grown to $1mill pa, and a second school has been begun. How far can this woman go?? She takes bright children from the poorest homes and gives them quality education, meals and clothes. To spread the benefit, she takes only one child per family. That must break hearts!!

Given enough support, she’ll be providing excellent education to half of Tanzania, one of the poorest countries in the world.

Controversial? — no
Competitive? — yes - to be the best! the school already outperforms upmarket international private schools on exam scores.
Time-consuming? — oh, yeah, and I’m just a supporter. Check out my blog — www.schoolstjude.blogspot.com

I reckon this project would stack up well on your guidelines for effective philanthropy. What do we have to do to be looked at?

Don’t ask little of me, you might get it.

]]> by: Katya http://blog.givewell.org/2007/05/02/can-charity-be-cool/#comment-2881 Thu, 03 May 2007 18:55:34 +0000 http://blog.givewell.org/2007/05/02/can-charity-be-cool/#comment-2881 I'm not going to even try to be hot or cool, but I can say the act of giving is intrinsically personal and therefore not overtly cool. People usually give to charity for deeply personal, emotional reasons. "Cool" usually refers to a more collective, cultural sensibility, like a movement or fashion or aethestic in the context of a social group. So by that measure, cool is not a term that's highly relevant to the act of making an individual donation. By contrast, doing something that benefits a good cause can be cool, if it is based on an act that is not personal but rather a public, sometimes rebellious act. Witness: yellow LiveStrong bracelets, the Truth campaign, ONE, Avon walk, etc. That's social (and thereby cool) by nature. The trick is to get the people who think this kind of participation is "cool" to then convert to a gift. And that would be victory. We don't need charitable giving to be cool, we need the actions that lead to a relationship with the charity - and a donation - to be cool. I’m not going to even try to be hot or cool, but I can say the act of giving is intrinsically personal and therefore not overtly cool. People usually give to charity for deeply personal, emotional reasons. “Cool” usually refers to a more collective, cultural sensibility, like a movement or fashion or aethestic in the context of a social group. So by that measure, cool is not a term that’s highly relevant to the act of making an individual donation. By contrast, doing something that benefits a good cause can be cool, if it is based on an act that is not personal but rather a public, sometimes rebellious act. Witness: yellow LiveStrong bracelets, the Truth campaign, ONE, Avon walk, etc. That’s social (and thereby cool) by nature. The trick is to get the people who think this kind of participation is “cool” to then convert to a gift. And that would be victory. We don’t need charitable giving to be cool, we need the actions that lead to a relationship with the charity - and a donation - to be cool.

]]> by: Gayle Roberts http://blog.givewell.org/2007/05/02/can-charity-be-cool/#comment-2872 Thu, 03 May 2007 14:48:51 +0000 http://blog.givewell.org/2007/05/02/can-charity-be-cool/#comment-2872 Hey Holden, Charity may not be cool, but it is sexy. I find someone who volunteers their time, cares about the future of the environment, and gives some of their money to causes they care about to be attractive. I'd much rather be hot, than cool. Wouldn't you? Peace, Gayle Fundraising for Nonprofits gayleroberts.com/blog/ Hey Holden,

Charity may not be cool, but it is sexy. I find someone who volunteers their time, cares about the future of the environment, and gives some of their money to causes they care about to be attractive.

I’d much rather be hot, than cool. Wouldn’t you?

Peace,
Gayle
Fundraising for Nonprofits
gayleroberts.com/blog/

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