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Jeff Brooks

What most of those kids need is an adult who can help them focus on what they really need in life -- which in nearly every case isn't getting a free ride on their student loans. RealityCharity doesn't offer that. So, in theory, a kid with a great sob story gets something that won't do him any real good -- so useful charity doesn't happen. Of course, it's a little hard to imagine any donor actually giving in these cases. The people at RealityCharity would probably say that's the point: stupid needs just won't get met.

Becca

This is outrageous. Let's take "Student Loans", a category on Reality Charity. My friends and I are all in our twenties and need money for compelling reasons; we have big dreams and most of us are paying off student debt. Are we all charity cases suddenly? It floors me that these individuals who wouldn't be caught dead on a street-corner peddling for money find it acceptable to do it online.

As a millenial myself, I can't believe the sense of entitlement that those requesting student loans payouts believe they deserve. Student loans are not a charity case. It's life. Learning how to deal with basic issues and problems, overcoming challenges, is what builds your character. And that's true with the majority of categories and stories on Reality Charity.

If these donors want a sense of direct connection with who they are giving to, maybe they should leave the glow of their computer screens every so often.

Jeff Brooks

I think it's worth noting the RealityCharity isn't an otherwise normal nonprofit that screwed up through an excess of donor power. It's an organization that has donor power and nothing else. In the end, what they offer donors is pretty thin.

If an organization brings plenty to the table and has clarity of vision, offering lots and lots of power to donors (including restricted giving!) they'll get more revenue, more advocates, more volunteers, even more ideas. If they have their act together, they won't get hijacked and forced off point by micromanaging donors.

Holden

Hear, hear. I'm glad to see you acknowledging that donor power can go too far.

I just wonder at what point you draw the line between restricted donations and something like this. To me, almost all restricted donations - especially those earmarked away from overhead - have all the problems you describe. Donors generally use restriction to "cut out the middleman" and micromanage a charity that should be using its own vision, creating its own synergy, and letting them say yea or nay.

There are many charities whose funding doesn't match the priorities of their mission, exactly because of this problem.

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