Money makes the world go ’round.
Is money inherently bad? Of course not. But it can be used badly. It can be used for good things, too.
So much money results from privilege. And privilege is inextricably linked to things like race/ethnicity and gender and sexual orientation and education and and and …
Have you read Michael Edwards’ marvelous book, Small Change: Why Business Won’t Save the World. It’s a must-read for everyone. Fundraisers. CEOs in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. I wish books like this (and Sandel’s What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets) were required reading in all high schools in the world.
Another important book is The Self-Made Myth: And the Truth About How Government Helps Individuals and Businesses Succeed by Miller and Lapham. And how about reading my piece, “Philanthropy’s Moral Dilemma,” posted in the Free Download Library on my website.
Now I’ve seen a new piece by Michael Edwards: “Beauty and the Beast: Can Money Ever Foster Social Transformation.” This is a great analysis about money and philanthropy and fundraising and democracy and economics and… Also check out the new website, Transformation – Where love meets social justice.
Then take a look at Paul Light’s piece about “Driving Social Change,” in the Nonprofit Quarterly. Check out Light’s eponymous YouTube video and book.
For dessert, read The Self-Made Myth: And the Truth About How Government Helps Individuals and Businesses Succeed. And read Robin Hood Was Right: A Guide to Giving Your Money for Social Change, by Collins, Rogers, and Garner. This is one of my all-time favorites.
It’s really about time you and me and our society and our various communities understand this stuff. As citizens and community members, we need to see and understand and accept.
