What if Charity Shouldn't Be Optimized?

I read this superb article, "What if Giving Shouldn't Be Optimized," by Emma Goldberg of the New York Times, which I'm sharing with you via a gift link. (How's THAT for giving 😉.)

It explores something I've wrestled with over 4+ decades of life and work as both a donor and a nonprofit founder — the evolutionary march of measuring absolutely everything in our lives, including our contributions to nonprofit organizations, whether these gifts be $50 or $5,000.

The author spotlights the Effective Altruism (EA) movement, which posits that philanthropy can and should be optimized through measurement and is espoused by many of Silicon Valley's "Billys" – the latter a fun moniker for "billionaires" that came across my desk recently.

She gives EA and other efficiency-based giving fair coverage, while also highlighting challenges of local charities who see a corresponding flow in funds to larger global issues with more perceived potential for optimized impact.

She also talks about the power of "Magnificent Giving" and the idea that some things simply cannot be measured, such as the feelings of joy, wonder, or awe that an investment in a public space or a work of art might engender.

Sounds a bit like how branding works to me.

Rather than write more about the article, I'll tease it and urge you to give it a read or listen, and I'll simply say that not everything that can be measured should be measured — at least in my book.

There is much to be gained by giving, and doing, from the heart — both for the giver and the recipient.

Emma's writing and insights are worth a few minutes of your time this giving season.

Godspeed, friends.

Russ

💬 Quote of the Week

“Effective altruists reduce value to anything that can be quantified, but you very often cannot quantify the things we value the most.” Amy Schiller, author of “The Price of Humanity: How Philanthropy Went Wrong — and How to Fix It.”

💥 Quick Hits

• That's sick – Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and the original Wonder Woman, Linda Carter, team up to raise funds for sick children in this fun holiday video.

• Gifts that give back – We love Wirecutter and this list of gifts that give back, including those from several B Corps.

• Turning waves into energy – If you're thinking about the energy created when people do "the wave" in stadiums, Oregon's got an even better idea and it's oceanic.

• Shout-out – A shout-out and a gold star to Godspeed reader Heather Meyer 🌟 for becoming a paid supporter. Heather works as a marketing manager for B Corp HigherRing, and I can tell you from first-hand experience she does a bang-up job. Thanks, Heather. 🙏

🤔 Impact Trivia

How about a quick round of Impact Trivia with a nod to Godspeed reader and impact trivia fan Kara Odegard who has bemoaned its absence:

What is the largest newspaper in the U.S. that’s operated as a public benefit corporation? Hint: It’s also owned by a nonprofit.

• The Oregonian (Portland, OR)
• The Burlington Free Press (Burlington, VT)
• The Denver Post (Denver, CO)
• The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA)

You can find today's trivia answer at the end of the newsletter.

⚠️ Sign of the Times

Trivia Answer

They're rocking the benefit bell at Liberty Hall. So if you guessed the Philadelphia Inquirer, go ahead and treat yourself to a Philly Sandwich. You can learn more about this newspaper's benefit corp status here.

A reminder that I'll be taking time off starting next week and will pop back into your inbox sometime around the first of the year. Happy holidays!