Atkin Jones’ Consultant John Telfer considers the role of charity as we head into Christmas...
“Bad Santa” is my favourite film. I was always a sucker for those Freakonomics-type books with insight into how your average drug dealer earns less than someone at McDonalds (or whatever equivalent). And I’m a utilitarian stoic - all of which means I’m rarely invited to dinner (or Christmas!) parties.
I was wandering down a High Street in Hampshire and, for no particular reason, pondered on whether I should have a coffee in a privately run cafe or a community, not-for-profit place set up to support a local charity. I voted for the community run-place, but as I sat there, I questioned; "Should I be directing my (insignificant custom) here and deprive a place down the road that employs paid staff (rather than having volunteers)?".
If everyone did that, the community cafe would shut down (as a crisis consultant, I tend to look at the most extreme outcomes…). But the commercial cafe would probably pay full whack on rates and rent... A few minutes later I was catastrophising about my contribution to the eventual demise of a whole economic ecosystem. Ultimately, I was happier that my money was going towards a charity whose values I supported rather than an anonymous individual.
If you believe altruism is overrated (or thinly disguised egotism), perhaps you get less of a buzz paying for your cuppa in a cafe, rather than someone consciously deciding on choosing the community place. And personally, I am happier that some good goes to the homeless rather than an anonymous business.
Consciously support people you believe in and want to help.
Recently my annual membership renewal came up for the National Trust. As I am now of a certain age, I was eligible for a discount. But did I join the National Trust because membership was of better value than buying individual entrance fees or because it was an organisation I wanted to support? It's a strange mix of charitable giving and commerce. I do make sure that I grab a cuppa or a bite when visiting, knowing that the money flows into protecting those things that matter to me. Plus not only does it taste good, and does good, but it feels good too.
Tangentially, I thought about volunteering and how more companies now include a day or two for staff to help out with projects of their choosing. On LinkedIn, you’ll often see pictures of people happily picking up litter from a beach. It could be argued that it would be better overall that they stay in their day job and the employer donates their wage instead. Looking at it coldly, is the world better off having some overpaid pickers remove some plastic waste or for a charity receiving some cold hard cash? I was initially torn on this one. It's not efficient economically, but socially, it is, especially if a company espouses the support of local projects - and it may encourage staff to connect more fully with these projects, leading to long-term support. So, overall, it is a good thing, but perhaps employees could be given the option to work normally and the day's wage be given to a charity?
Returning to my High Street in Hampshire (judging by its emptiness, it's something not many people do…), there were some chuggers. I know charities rely on them to raise funds, but it also raised a number of ideas in my head. If there were three charities with zero overheads and all equally efficient in how raised funds were spent, If Charity B decides to pay for a fundraiser (or chugger), and diverts money that would have been spent on Charity A and C, then the nett amount raised for charity has in fact decreased (as Charity B has paid for the fund raising). In terms of overall utility, we are only in a better place if somehow more money overall is raised than the increase in cost - i.e. people were donating money who would not otherwise have given.
So what is best? Thinking too hard this way not only leads to mild madness but can stop you from giving anything at all. Giving to someone randomly because they have caught your attention is better than nothing, but most charities benefit from long-term commitments.
My advice? Find a cause that aligns with your own personal values, and do a bit of research. Perhaps, on the Charities Commission website. And try to make giving a habit if you can afford to. Personally, I have a rough figure I know I want to donate, and I enjoy doing some research, knowing it is not a knee-jerk decision.
So as Christmas looms increasingly into view, peace on earth and goodwill to men is as close as ever. All people are different, and all expectations are different. Many years ago, when people at work gave me Christmas cards (or birthday cards), I would thank them and put them (the cards, not the people…) in a recycling bin. I wouldn't dream of suggesting how you deal with children, but consider the following: Tell people who normally buy you presents to donate to your favourite charity (or theirs even). Or, more daringly, tell them that you will be donating to a charity of their choosing rather than buying them a present.
Unless it's a copy of “Bad Santa” of course...
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