[nfb-talk] Question of Philosophy- fund raising

Drenth, Joe Joe.Drenth at JBTC.COM
Mon Aug 30 15:09:33 UTC 2010


Hello all,

There are at least two reasons why someone would financially support a
cause or individual:

1. Pity -- The person or group is incapable of providing for
himself/herself/themselves.  Weakness, dependence, and inability to
survive without assistance are emphasized to invoke compassion and
possibly guilt.  This is begging.

2. Cooperation -- The cause represented by the person or group is a
worthy one, and contributions to further its programs is a way of
showing agreement with the work being done.  Financial support is given
to encourage those on the front lines and to further the reach of the
efforts.
Information about those who are directly helped through the financial
support can be provided as evidence of the good and just purposes of the
cause, such as statistics about children who are at risk of being
illiterate without proper Braille training.

Setting up a table to raise funds could be done in such a way that it
leans in either one of these directions, but I think the second approach
more adequately matches the philosophy of the NFB.


Best regards.




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