#GivingTuesday, Politics, and Charity
2016 has been a roller coaster of a year, with dramatic upheaval here in the US and elsewhere. I do not pretend that charity is adequate to address the political challenges of our day. Charity is no substitute for justice.
Even so, the simple idea of giving is important, worth celebrating and promoting.
November 29 is the fifth #GivingTuesday. I have been associated with this effort from the start, a movement to champion the impulse to think beyond oneself, to associate with others on behalf of a social cause, and to give money and time in support of effective organizations.
#GivingTuesday is now global, reaches thousands of organizations and hundreds of thousands of individuals. It has helped build capacity in nonprofit organizations, stimulated innovation and creativity in fundraising appeals, and moved millions of dollars in philanthropic donations.
I will be supporting two organizations on #GivingTuesday: the top charities recommended by GiveWell and the magazine Boston Review. (Full disclosure: I sit on the board of both organizations.)
GiveWell is the most rigorous charity rating organization in the world. If you want an easy way to feel confident that your charitable donations are going to maximally effective organizations working to diminish human suffering, GiveWell.org is the place to go. They have just released their 2016 recommendations on #GivingTuesday.
Boston Review, edited by Joshua Cohen and Deborah Chasman, has long been a place to turn for vigorous debate about ideas that matter. Their forum discussion — the centerpiece of every issue and of their terrific new website — is a model for public dialogue. And support for an informed public sphere has arguably never been more important.
To engage to social spirit of the #GivingTuesday movement, here’s my pledge:
FOR EVERY LIKE OF THIS POST BY 11:59 of GIVNG TUESDAY, I’LL DONATE $1 TO EACH ORGANIZATION.
Please share/like, and let me know what you’re supporting on #GivingTuesday. And learn more at givingtuesday.org
