But there is a potential downside to the growth of these “uber donors,” especially if the whims of individuals start to take precedence over the expertise of professionals.
The strange truth is that giving away billions of dollars is difficult and fraught with risk. There can be waste, mismanagement and poor investment. At the same time it can actually do harm.
“If you are putting enormous amounts of money into a community that can’t cope with it, then you can implode that community,” said Gayle Peterson, co-founder of Headwaters Group Philanthropic Services.
Some people are crying conspiracy. That idea has particular power on the Christian right of the US, which has reacted angrily to the idea that the club discussed birth control and overpopulation. Experts in the philanthropy field think that this negative image can be countered by more openness for future Good Club meetings.
“If they do hold more meetings, and every indication is that they will, I think people would want them to be more public. After all, they can make decisions that affect millions of peoples’ lives,” Wilhelm said.
That is true. If the members of the Good Club wish to wield their undoubted power, they may have to get used to the idea of doing it more openly.
RSS