Five tweets for fundraisers for 3 November 2021

Here are five more tweets selected from the many that cross our screens. The fundraising possibilities of #TwosDay next year, research into tax incentives in the US and how they affect companies donating goods, a stuffed fundraising dog on a station platform, Elon Musk and that tweet about (maybe) donating $6 billion, and the need to question why philanthropy and social justice don’t automatically go hand in hand.

Here’s our latest collection of tweets that we think highlight key developments for fundraisers, plus the occasional one that might make fundraisers smile.

We’re on Twitter at @ukfundraising and @howardlake. Do join us.

1. The power of two

Did you know that next year features #TwosDay? Matt Smith reckons there must be an opportunity for lots of charities to make something of this striking date. A matched giving campaign perhaps? What do you think?

2. Donated goods and tax incentives

Brian Mittendorf is a nonprofit accounting professor at Ohio State University. His latest research looks at how tax incentives to encourage companies to donate unsold inventory actually affect their donation practices.

3. Memorial to a fundraising dog

If you’re a regular at Slough railway station you’ll no doubt know about Station Jim, the fundraising dog who is honoured with permanent memorial. One for the @fundraisingdogs team.

4. Elon Musk and the World Food Program

Very, very occasionally a public tweet to a billionaire starts a conversation.

Elon Musk responded to a tweet suggesting that 2% or $6 billion of his money could “solve world hunger” by offering to sell Tesla stock to that amount and donate it. But only if the WFP could describe exactly how the donation would achieve that aim – and insisting that the figures be shared transparently and publicly.

If WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $6B will solve world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 31, 2021

There followed a prompt response from David Beasley, Executive Director of the WFP, and brief conversation in which Beasley asked to meet with Musk to discuss in more detail, ideally at a location where Musk could see its work and people in action.

.@elonmusk Instead of tweets, allow me to show you. We can meet anywhere—Earth or space—but I suggest in the field where you can see @WFP’s people, processes and yes, technology, at work. I will bring the plan, and open books.
— David Beasley (@WFPChief) November 1, 2021

There is no indication as to where the conversation has got to beyond this.

Musk’s approach to philanthropy is different, but not everyone is convinced it is the most effective approach:

After insisting on right to give privately, Musk is developing a public philanthropic persona unlike any we’ve seen from a mega-donor: it lacks coherent framing principle (other than interplanetary ambition) & seems focused as much on trolling as winning praise, defining mission. https://t.co/0SJIcmn2Ip
— Benjamin Soskis (@BenSoskis) October 31, 2021

5. Educate yourself – and others

Philanthropy and social justice don’t always go hand in hand. Fortunately that is being recognised and some efforts made to tackle that in areas such as the climate crisis.

Mike Zywina at Lime Green Consulting reminds us that major donors can still skew the number and type of beneficiaries of their donations on a large scale.

Of all the stats I found when researching a recent talk on philanthropy & ethical #fundraising, this one blew my mind. Everyone is entitled to their own view in support or criticism of philanthropy. Just don't start from a position that most philanthropy addresses inequality. pic.twitter.com/nElstnGW2K
— Mike Zywina – Lime Green Consulting (@mikezywina) October 25, 2021

from UK Fundraising https://ift.tt/3BARTQp