Why so suspicious of others' generosity?

Perhaps they just want the nice feeling that comes with helping a "good cause".

I do so much enjoy living in a dreamworld.

Arnon

You too give to charity. What is your motivation?

I think you can get suspicious from the generosity of the Saudi’s, not from mister Schumacher.

Schumacher

Trying to answer your question Arnon...

I think he doesn't expect anything in particular (spending big sums of money on charity not only creates tax-advantages, but also eases ones mind); and there is a certain irony in imagining the fact that his money would be used in the foundations climate initiative, since the people (sponsors) responsable for Schumachers fortune are also responsable for the biggest air-pollution on earth.

Than there's another thing which i find weird. Read this:
President Clinton launched the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) in August 2006 to make a difference in the fight against climate change in practical, measurable and significant ways.

In 2006 Clinton wasn't a president anymore. Yet, on the foundationsite, they keep calling him one. Or does America works likes this: if i where to deside to start an foundation and crowm myself president, than forever, by any means, i can call myself a president?

[ I picture an interview with Schumacher. The question about his enormous donation on the Clinton foundation rises, and all he says is: " I just wanted to do something practical, measurable and significant in this world." ]

Kevino

It's common in the US to refer to the President, even if he is not in office anymore, as President. You don't say ex-President Carter, you say President Carter.

Mieke

I don't give these amounts of money.
And there is a difference between a citizen giving five dollars to a beggar on the street and the government of Norway or Michael Schumacher giving millions of dollars to the Clinton Foundation.

Philanthropy always seems a bit pessimistic

The beggar in the street might be saved for a couple of days, but on the other hand, he just might be a junk, and use your 5 dollar for a pour shot.

About 30% of the millions spent on a foundation like the William Jefferson Clinton foundation, dissapears within the pockets of CEO's, CFO's , CLO's, CAO's, CMO's and such...

Philanthropy always seems a bit pessimistic, only pacifism can be pure i guess.
My personal no.1 favourite is John Lennon's and Yoko Ono's bed-peace.

Kevino

I'm not so sure about the purity of pacifism.

Nationale Postcode Loterij donated somewhat between 5 million and 10 million. I'm not a Dutchman, but I know that this is a Dutch institute. What do they expect back? That's probably closer to home to discuss.

Maybe it's got nothing to do with getting things in return but did their lobbyist a good job and where the people responsible for making donations pretty interested in their cause.

Dens

Valid question. A member of the Dutch Royal house (Prince Friso) contributed also to the foundation.

vanity and generosity

Although I do not exclude the possibilty of other goals or interests (specially in the case of Saudi Arabia), these donations are most probably a mix of vanity and feeling good about yourself. 5 million US Dollar sounds like a lot but is not so much if you can buy anything you can possibly imagine. Specially for Schumacher it must give a sense of power and feeling useful, like somebody that really makes a difference.

Jakob, would it be more ethical to keep all the money to yourself just to not be perceived as vain or smug?

In a car Schumacher is very very fast. Without a car he is not very fast. But with all his money he can be very very generous. That doesn't make him feel like a very very loser without his car. It's not even life-threatening.

Teresa

no, not in the least, I think this kind of vanity is a good mechanism to get things done in charity. And moreover, almost everybody that gives to charity acts a bit out of vanity. The point is that the feelings of power and usefulness might be a lot stronger when you give 5 million vs. let´s say 100 dollar.

Neither Norway nor Schumacher is well known in the US. This is then perhaps a bid for attention/publicity. Now every school child will know who Norway is.

Now

I understand a bit better why it says in the New Testament: do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
In the Old Testament there's the 10 % rule of thumb. So, when you are on welfare you can have as much satisfaction from donating , let's say, to Compassion or any other organisation that helps children, as Schumacher from his millions. The environment is hot (haha), aids was the item last year, wonder what it will be next year.