There IS one, and society benefits from its presence. The organizations and individuals who constitute the enterprise of philanthropy make possible the well-being of all of us.
Lately, it feels like this segment of American commerce may have hit a rough patch. Chris and I continue to receive in the mail increasing amounts of free gifts. Their implicit message seems plausible: “We have given you this gift to acknowledge you as a prospective donor to our good work.” Self-affixing mailing labels, calendars, pens, mini-flashlights, cleaning cloths for eyewear, magnets and most recently a genuine Lakota Sioux dream-catcher—all aimed at encouraging us to become donors. What gives us pause, though, is the monetary value of these tchotchkes—perhaps an over-the-top addition to the overhead costs of fund-raising.
troubling is the logic that may be behind this approach to decision-making about generosity. It feels just a bit transactional—us being rewarded with small gifts for our larger gift. Perhaps this mindset isn’t at the heart of generosity? This seems reminiscent of years ago, when banks offered toaster ovens as part of their thanks for our opening an account!
I appreciate the intent of these gifts, but I wonder how this torrent of near-trinkets might be eroding the essence of generosity. Or worse, whether gratitude’s fundamentals have shifted subtly towards guilt-induced motivations, where generosity becomes a form of penance for real or imagined self-centeredness.
While I’m still noodling about this matter, I’m trying to decide what to do with all the cute little flashlights and mailing labels festooned with animal pictures. As for the dream-catcher, it’s a good reminder about the dreams all of us have, for a world made better by the generosity industry. Whatever it’s called, philanthropy (literally, love of people) will continue to accomplish its purposes!
Thankfully….
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