I was looking for a way to volunteer here in Clarksville and I came across this program named "In2Books." The premise is basically electronic penpals for youth. When U investigated the program though I discovered that it is one of the many new for profit charities, so I refrained from immediately signing up. I am concerened about donating time to profit someone else. But, I guess it depends on the point of view that you adopt for the program. You could see it the way I thought of it as giving time to earn other people money, or you could see it as just supporting a child. I think ultimately it is probably a worth while endeavor because the profit margin will attract intelligent people to oversee the program, but I don't know if there is enough oversight of the company to keep it from abusing its young audience.
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1 comment:
I suspect this type of model would actually generate MORE oversight. First, for-profits are scrutinized more in general...(non-profits are typically not closely scrutinized because of the (often) unwarranted trust most individuals place in good intentions). Second, donated time is much more valuable than donated money, in general, and so participant-donors are more likely to hold the group accountable ex ante and ex post. A lot of charity is given just for the sake of giving (not itself bad) with little follow-up, feedback on efficacy or accountability. A program like this appears to challenge that model.
Your initial comments, and the fact that we are discussing this, would seem to provide supporting evidence.
I think there is probably a good deal of opportunity in "for-profit philanthropy" or "benevolent investment". The application of Grameen style lending by profit maximizing companies as in Latin America, for example. I think this would also fit into Easterly's definition of "Searchers".
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