www.slate.com: Late last year, Lincoln Center—a nonprofit organization that is meant to use its money to bring cultural programming to New York City—paid the heirs of Avery Fisher an eye-popping $15 million. Fisher was a philanthropist who believed in supporting the arts in New York and who even donated $10 million to Lincoln Center in 1973. So what was going on here? It makes sense for philanthropists to give millions of dollars to nonprofits, but why would nonprofits turn around and give millions of dollars to their former donors?
2 comments:
I can see both sides to this argument. I can understand how acts by philanthropists that put venues into a chokehold by playing name games can be frustrating, they hold up money and development for the sake of legacy. However, the article fails to mention the other side of the argument, the fact that a lot of philanthropy is motivated by the notion of legacy and public image. Not to mention the plain fact that these people are donating 100 million dollars . The least that someone could do is put their name on something. Especially if they don't even have the money to drop it without separating the payments, because its clear that it isn't exactly chump change for them to pay up. I kind of lean towards the side of the donators on this one, just because they're really only receiving some tax deductions and their name in lights in return for such massive donations.
Although I understand where the author is coming from, I beg to differ on the notion that we should scoff at Mr. Geffen for seeking recognition in return of a large monetary donation. No matter what, money is money, and would the Lincoln Center actually be better off, even morally speaking, without the 100 million dollar contribution? Now, due to the donation, the Lincoln Center can continue to host performance, etc., therefore furthering the cultural impact of live performance. The positive domino effect that ensues due to Geffen's donation is much more vital to the betterment of our world, than the possible negatives of a man yearning to have his name remembered, and put up in lights. If anything, we can see Geffen's decision to donate in return for the Hall being named after him, as Geffen being proud to donate to such a just cause, and that is certainly nothing to criticize.
Kevin Paul (54-102 :: A, Acting 1, Cameron Knight)
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