Do you believe incentives for charities are morally wrong?

Question

In order to increase charitable givings, we put incentives for people to give. These could be anything such as tax breaks for Salvation Army, extra credit for school, Girl Scout cookies, fund-raising donuts, volunteer hours for colleges, and concert shows.

Some argue that it is morally wrong because these acts take away the charity and volunteer spirit (or something of that nature.)

What do you think?

Answer 1

Some people would not give at all if it were not for incentives. Because there are incentives it increases giving. They are more of a way to compensate for those not morally obligated to giving.

Answer 2

Well, the most honorable acts of charity and volunteerism are things that no one sees or acknowledges because those are the things that come from the heart and not from pride. I know alot of people who make a big show of their charitable acts and want everyone to know - all of the sacrifices they have made. They like to go to non-profit dinners and events and have their name and the amount they gave highlighted in flashing lights. Human pride is a powerful thing and I believe that people do tend to appreciate that someone noticed that they did something to help an honorable cause. I think it's a personal decision. I give and do charitable acts but as much as possible I try to be low key about it. As someone who is being served by a non-for profit it can feel very painful to have someone patronize you and treat you like they are better than you and have so much to give and are making a huge sacrifice for you like you should be guilty and give them all kinds of praise and adoration for their wonderful heart. We take away the true charity and volunteer spirit in all kinds of ways. The true person with a volunteer spirit - is able to view themselves on the same level with those they serve - not as a human being higher up on the food chain. I have had a time or two when I was in need in my life - not super serious - but sometimes I refuse special gifts and money if the person is patronizing me and treating me like a lower life form because I'm having a challenge. Some people want you to look up to them for it and then it's not true charity at all but a way for a person to feel good about themselves and better than others. Sometimes, the best way to give a charitable gift is to do that in secret and not tell anyone what you have done. That is true charity. The true volunteer spirit does not want to be put on television for everyone to see or want their photo in a magazine because they serve in a soup kitchen. Alot of celebrities do that and what is this American Idol - thing now - they put it all up in lights how wonderful and compassionate they are. But that's not what true charity is all about. True charity acknowledges that we are all human and could have challenges. True charity doesn't highlight the gift or the giver. True charity is for the benefit of the recipient and is done out of empathy - understanding - not sympathy - feeling sorry that others are not as well off and as perfect as your wonderful self. I think you're right but not many people would refuse a tax break if they can get it. Yeah - my in laws wanted to do a family charity gift and my family did not participate. Why? Because whoever in the family who was writing the check was looking at a great tax break - on us. That's not the point of true giving and it's not so you can look at your family with incredible pride for your acts of compassion and say - "we're so wonderful and close that we GIVE together!"  Next, they'll be asking us to go on Oprah to tell the world how wonderful our family is because of all the compassionate things we do. What nonsense. However, it's a hard call I mean buying Girl Scout cookies is fun and the cookies are really good - I mean - gee - I don't feel bad about doing that - it's not a big show - just giving young girls a sense of hard work and effort to help build the community which is a good thing. The concert shows are pathetic because these celebrities have more money in their back pocket to give themselves in private but they throw a concert instead to make themselves look good. Here's a true act of charity for you. You're walking down the street and you see a poor homeless person sitting there on the corner begging for food. You know nothing about them but you have your sack lunch in your hand. You give him your lunch and forget about it. Another thing is to give a gift to someone you know who is out of work or struggling financially but you do that in a totally anonymous way. Yeah - I think people are not truly charitable at all in the way it is generally done these days.

Answer 3

Charities do work that is much to important to rely only on funding from people who have purely altruistic goals/want a warm, fuzzy feeling. Tax incentives and other incentives are vital not only for funding these services, but also raising awareness about the issues they address. I would much rather my money goes to the work of charities and schools than the occupation of Iraq.

Answer 4

no

Answer 5

They encourage the pay it forward mind set.

Morally right.

Answer 6

I don't think its wrong. When I donate blood, I don't turn down the cool t-shirt and cookies.

From a biblical stand point, we are commanded to give as we prosper in church. I look at this as one of the prereqs for getting into heaven (not the only one).  

I was raised with the mentality that its wrong to buy raffle tickets for fund raisers because it's gambling, so I just make donations.

However, I don't feel that I was doing anything wrong when I bought a hotdog from a 7-8 year old softball team in my home town that was raising money for uniforms and I told them to keep the change when I handed them a $10 bill!

Some people just look for things to complain about and try to build their ego (Harry Potter is the devil...ummm...if you say so??).

Answer 7

I believe that incentives are good, but just like every thing else people cheat and abuse the system. I have seen a millionare give away a old small fishing boat and claim it as a 50,000 dollar donation.