Philanthropists Find New Ways to Use Input from the Public to Direct Giving

In a recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, the winners of a contest sponsored by Steve Case, founder of AOL, and his wife, were announced.  The contest “promised $50,000 grand prizes to nonprofit groups with the greatest number of donors to their cause, not the largest amount raised.”  As a result of the contest, “[t]he Case Foundation handed out $750,000 in awards.”  The article further points out that this type of competition is part of a growing philanthropy movement, which allows the public to have input in where grant maker money goes.  While many applaud these efforts as open and democratic, the article suggests that others are concerned that the trend will result in less popular or more controversial charities or causes receiving less money.  See the article for the full story.

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