Crisis giving
Charity | Instant need calls for long-term strategy
by Rusty Leonard
Posted 1/29/10, 06:42 am
Americans have a long history of responding generously to tragedies like the earthquake in Haiti. Christians, in particular, are often among the first to get into action by offering their time, talents, and treasure to relief efforts.
But can donors respond too quickly? The desire to assist those in desperate need is admirable, but in their haste, donors may not always act in the best long-term interests of the afflicted. Or they may react too hurriedly to slick advertising from professional fundraisers, thereby producing less effective gifts.