Want to better understand the mistakes charities make, so you can do a better job in your own philanthropic endeavors?
With the yearly end-of-year run on charitable giving now behind us for 2013, and year-end stresses subsiding, this might be a good time to consider how to approach your philanthropy to do the most good.
Sometimes knowing what not to do is more instructive than a positive lesson. This is true in all of life’s lessons, big and small (think sticking your tongue on a frozen flagpole). When it comes to charitable giving, a recent article in Barron’s chronicles how well-intentioned charity often fails in its follow-through. The article, titled “Philanthropic Fiascos,” provides a few major real-life examples of incredible generosity squandered, including the failure of positive change in Haiti despite an incredible international outpouring of charitable funds.