[Chris_Hennessy]

In today’s society the need for sustainable funding for local and national charities and not-for-profit organizations have never been more prominent. Everyone is aware of the concerns in their community but who is really doing anything about it? The majority of people that donate or contribute to charities do not do it out of the good of their own harts. There are always political motivations, tax incentives, or they do not get involved until they are personally affected.

Don’t get me wrong, there are a few people that have a hart of gold and are involved in various programs just because they know it is the right thing to do.

Money is a subject that strikes everyone on a personal level. Everyone works for it, needs it, strives for it and yearns for just a little more. Charities are no different.

Would you be socially responsible if you were paid for your efforts? Would you be willing to invest in a charity if you know that it would allow them to be self sustainable while paying you a return?

If you have answered yes to any of the questions please feel free to ask me how.

[mattnelson]

kind of ruins the point of "charity". I donate out of the goodness in my heart, i don't even file for the tax breaks that you can after donating

[rogercbryan]

Originally Posted by Chris_Hennessey

In today’s society the need for sustainable funding for local and national charities and not-for-profit organizations have never been more prominent. Everyone is aware of the concerns in their community but who is really doing anything about it? The majority of people that donate or contribute to charities do not do it out of the good of their own harts. There are always political motivations, tax incentives, or they do not get involved until they are personally affected.

Don’t get me wrong, there are a few people that have a hart of gold and are involved in various programs just because they know it is the right thing to do.

Money is a subject that strikes everyone on a personal level. Everyone works for it, needs it, strives for it and yearns for just a little more. Charities are no different.

Would you be socially responsible if you were paid for your efforts? Would you be willing to invest in a charity if you know that it would allow them to be self sustainable while paying you a return?

If you have answered yes to any of the questions please feel free to ask me how.

Huh? I do fund raising for a living and I have no idea what you are talking about. Are you referencing a gift annuity?

[Chris_Hennessy]

The definition of “Charity” is an activity or gift that benefits the public at large.
So to answer the question that the idea of Venture Philanthropy ruins the concept of charity is misunderstood. Even if you have a personal belief against making a return on investing in charitable causes, you can always redirect your returns back into a charity and in our case, tripling your charitable giving without writing a bigger cheque.

Charities are in crisis. They can no longer be depended on the generosity of personal and business donations, government grants and volunteer support. Every charity goes through feast or famine periods and to conserve money, funding for research, staffing and individual programs are cut. Each and every time one of these programs are dismissed due to budgeting reasons, a person’s life and chance of survival is severely compromised.

The days of bake sale fundraisers are over as the cost of giving continues to spiral upwards. More and more charities are becoming dependant on special events, auctions and high priced fund raising dinners to survive. In all honesty, how many $200/plate dinners are donors be expected to attend, even in an age of increased philanthropy?

The challenge with event dependency is that charities can be overfed but undernourished. A substantial amount of money can be raised in these lavish events but most of the money is put towards paying for the event and not into the hands of the charity.

[jasaunders]

The solution to all the problems you listed is a charitable endowment. A great many organizations already utilize endowments.

Additionally, you make some pretty wild claims, such as "the cost of giving continues to spiral upward," and "most of the money is put towards paying for the event and not into the hands of the charity." Do you have any facts to back these claims?

[rogercbryan]

Originally Posted by Chris_Hennessy

The definition of “Charity” is an activity or gift that benefits the public at large.
So to answer the question that the idea of Venture Philanthropy ruins the concept of charity is misunderstood. Even if you have a personal belief against making a return on investing in charitable causes, you can always redirect your returns back into a charity and in our case, tripling your charitable giving without writing a bigger cheque.

Charities are in crisis. They can no longer be depended on the generosity of personal and business donations, government grants and volunteer support. Every charity goes through feast or famine periods and to conserve money, funding for research, staffing and individual programs are cut. Each and every time one of these programs are dismissed due to budgeting reasons, a person’s life and chance of survival is severely compromised.

The days of bake sale fundraisers are over as the cost of giving continues to spiral up wards. More and more charities are becoming dependant on special events, auctions and high priced fund raising dinners to survive. In all honesty, how many $200/plate dinners are donors be expected to attend, even in an age of increased philanthropy?

The challenge with event dependency is that charities can be overfed but undernourished. A substantial amount of money can be raised in these lavish events but most of the money is put towards paying for the event and not into the hands of the charity.

I'm starting to wonder if you are getting into a legal realm here that could cause problems. It sounds like you want people to invest in something and then the profits will go to charity. In this situation the charity is not actually getting a commitment of a donation they are getting a 'potential' opportunity 'if' the venture makes money.

I tell all of my client to stay away from these types of 'potential' promises. They are complicated and not gauranteed. In many cases they are scams. Most orginzations will not lend their name to things like this as they risk tarnishing their reputation. If your 'investment' goes bad then it reflects directly on the chairty.

This all makes me nervous and it seems like I've heard these types of deals before.

If you are going to donate... take your money directly to the organization that needs it. Go down to the Salvation Army and give them a check. Or take some cloths to Goodwill or Red Cross. I would stay away from these types of deals.

[andrewrichardgale]

Originally Posted by mattnelson

kind of ruins the point of "charity". I donate out of the goodness in my heart, i don't even file for the tax breaks that you can after donating

just a thought, but isint that just as selfish as by taking the tax breaks? even though your not getting money your getting more satisfaction.

[Jett]

We do that anyways, so I can't say much but it works if you work it. As for donating to charity, I think it as give what you don't have so that one day you'll have it 10 folds even when nothing is coming.

Jett

[ChadSBK]

My answer to this question is yes. Of course, I am biased because I work for a bank that invests in socially responsible projects – ShoreBank. For over 35 years, we have been financing projects that help people, the planet, and turn a profit. If you would like to know how, please visit shorebankdirect.sbk.com/stories.asp.