I have always received a good laugh at people who will buy a product they otherwise would not so they can support some cause. After all, if you were really into the cause and really had the money to go and spend on something you would not otherwise buy, why not just donate it a relevant charity? Doing so would maximize the amount of money going to the victims, as opposed to having a large chunk of the amount deducted by a company.
One yearly example of this is Dining Out For Life, which is a single night where restaurants donate a at least 25 percent of your bill to local counter-HIV/AIDS efforts. As a side note, one of my best friends loves this program, and while I disagree with her intensely, she’s still awesome. Don’t be upset, SF!
Another example of providing companies with some unearned generosity and not doing much to help those needing it is (RED), the annoyingly trendy use of red-colored products to raise money for counter-HIV/AIDS efforts in Africa. You may remember Oprah teaming up with corporate standouts like Gap to push this program. Instead of individuals doing some real help and donating money to these efforts, they instead pay for a red t-shirt that is some sort of (red) badge of (false) good will. “Hey guys, I’m so hip cuz I wear this stupid red t-shirt and am not smart to actually donate directly!” Yeah.
Well, now the numbers are in for the sucker hipsters: Of the $100 million received from consumers (not philanthropists!), 82 percent is spent on advertising. Way to go! What an impact.
So instead of being silly and wearing a shirt that says you care, just donate. If you want something to show for it, look at your tax deduction.
The numbers are not yet in for last week’s Dine Out For Life 2007 event, however, 2006’s event provided Foods & Friends over $288,000. Yeah, it would be fantastic if everyone in DC just decided to donate a ton of money to their favorite charity but that is rather unlikely. Instead the very very clever people at Dine Out For Life figured out how to best get a ton of money to people suffering from HIV/AIDS. I would think you would applaud a program that so ingeniously exploits the habits of people to further its cause.
And to your point, the brilliant people at Food & Friends happily provided donation envelopes to all patrons so that those who feel as strongly as you do about giving directly were able to do just that – $104,000 was collected through donation envelopes.
Furthermore, need I remind you that you and I went out for Dine Out For Life last year? It is true that the place we went to was donating 100% of our bill to Food & Friends, so this does not entirely counter your argument. My only point is that last year you were happy to participate in the event you now find so very silly.
So last Thursday I went to Cafe du Coin, ate an amazing dinner, and probably cured AIDS with my $50 donation. What the fuck did you do? :)
* Discovery sponsors this event so the above-referenced numbers are from our records. I was not able to find them on-line but I reckon I can if you care to dispute themxx
Excellent post. No doubt. Plus, thank you for the numbers.
I agree the corporate donation method is better than nothing. I also agree that the organizers and companies involved should receive a pat on the back; we are in a capitalist system and yet they decide to act morally. They are also smart because it boosts business…probably.
But your argument is taken from the business perspective, not the consumer’s. And from their perspective, they–the consumer–is a money-pinching care-free (in the bad sense) ass. Instead, they should donate.
As for me participating, don’t forget that I–and maybe you, but I doubt it–had planned to go out for dinner with you before I even knew about this event. It didn’t change my behavior at all, except ending up in a total date restaurant with my (faux) sister.
Good choice. Cafe du Coin is great and I’ve been hankering to go back soon.
Now that you’ve cured AIDS, can you cure the Bush administration?
well said Jason! and Jason!
You write: “Hey guys, I’m so hip cuz I wear this stupid red t-shirt and am not smart to actually donate directly!” Yeah.
I don’t know what to tell you Jason. =D Yeah.