Russell,
Interesting string of comments, with thought provoking look backs to Kiva and Modest Needs! I’d offer two comments.
- I’d be cautious about confusing emotion and passion. We budget giving annually, with small reserves left over for new things. We throw +90% of mail solicitations out without serious review. Good stewardship calls for a monitoring of effectiveness, which is enabled by sticking with proven programs you know, leaders you can trust, and a number of solicitations you can effectively review
- -Criteria are also helpful. Our giving is heavily weighted towards charities that include a gospel message. Service as Christians with secular philanthropic groups can also bring glory to Christ’s church. On the other hand, we are much less likely to give in ways that don’t overtly credit God.
In the terms of Shirky’s article the above points could be considered a “filter”. So how does this tie into elasticity of giving, which is after all the initial focus of the posts?
Well, without the above guidelines I am sure we would give to more groups, but the incremental gifts would be small. For us, what motivates increases in giving is a deeper understanding of what a group is about. This includes of course data to confirm the program is cost effectiveness. But perhaps more importantly it connects your heart to the needs and the benefit of the programs. At least for us, this is more likely to increase the level of our giving.
These principles would apply to us across all media. Unfortunately, I have no clue about how this applies to facebook (or even what facebook is).
PS: Bradley’s whale footage is great!
John J | 05.12.08 - 6:52 am | #