An interesting Q&A is going on over at the NYT Freakonomics blog. A lawyer-to-be essentially asks if the best way to “maximize your charity” is to work for a nonprofit or get rich and give away your money.
Stephen J. Dubner and many of the commenters seem to favor the latter. I disagree with this stance (obvious disclaimer is that I work at a nonprofit…) since if everyone just switched to getting rich, who would actually go out there and do the good?
Check out their conversation and consider if you can do more good gettin’ rich and givin’ it away or working at a nonprofit?
2 Comments
It’s an interesting question but I think it depends on each of our abilities. Some folks just don’t have the inclination to become rich and have the skills and desire to work with a nonprofit. And who’s to say those that become rich will ultimately want to give their money away? We need to figure out which road suits each of us best.
Yeah, agreed. I think it’s also important to remember that simply giving to charity doesn’t necessarily put you in the “good global citizen” category. What percentage of your income is appropriate to give? How is that income earned? Is it okay to work as a corporate lawyer for a big tobacco company and give 50% of the earnings to the Make a Wish Foundation?
Reminds me of Blues Brothers, when Jake and Elroy have to save their old church from being closed down, but rather than stealing they get the band back together and raise the cash honestly (before getting arrested, but for unrelated incidents).