Whose Money Is It?

Providing funding for "charitable" work is laudable and is frankly an obligation that comes to those who have done well. What to give to however is the individual's choice. Cancer Research, Academic Research, Social Programs, Public Benefit efforts, soup kitchens, and even individuals who with a little help can leverage their own assets subsequently for the benefit of others.

Americans are somewhat unique in that area. Americans also are unique in that they get to choose and those there is a "free market" for "charitable" work.

I saw piece today in the NY Times, of course, that "tells" us what we should do. It says:

In other words, “giving back” is necessary, but not sufficient. We should seek to bring about lasting, systemic change, even if that change might adversely affect us. We must bend each act of generosity toward justice. We, as foundations and individuals, should fund people, their ideas and organizations that are capable of addressing deep-rooted injustice. We should ensure that the voices of those most affected by injustice — women, racial minorities, the poor, religious and ethnic minorities and L.G.B.T. individuals — help decide where and what philanthropy puts money behind, not in simply receiving whatever philanthropy decides to give them.

Now where is the Cancer Research, the funding of up and coming high performance students, public spaces, etc? Not there.  

Charitable Giving by individuals should be individual choices not dicta from on high.