I hadn't caught onto this "trend" of "layaway angels" until seeing this article in the Christian Science Monitor. Apparently, there have been some individuals paying off the layaway balances of buyers at Kmart. And others have been giving out cash or other gifts of value directly to those without.
So, why would more affluent folks find it more satisfying to give cash or gifts of value directly to benefit individuals? Do the benefits of giving to a nonprofit (tax deduction, assureness of the use of the gift, oversight of results by a board) not trump making gifts directly to individuals? What are the benefits nonprofits can't provide that this type of philanthropy does? These are the questions boards may want to consider as we prepare to enter a new year and one where competition for limited resources will continue.
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