Silda Wall Spitzer's charity and the prostitution scandal fallout
Politics is rife with convenient fictions, one of which is that charities associated with political spouses are mainly about the cause. It wasn't really a coincidence that Bill Clinton's foundation jacked into social enterprise last year, yet like symbiotic little fishies cleaning a shark's teeth we happily joined in what was at base a campaign to promote the Clinton name for other purposes. And this week, mirabile dictu, Clinton's charity is launching a nationwide environmental initiative targeted at the college student vote. Major overseas and corporate donors aren't giving to the Clinton foundation because no one else is committed to sustainability and the green movement--they're buying attention from Bill and his wife.
On a more local level, consider NYC's Children for Children Foundation, a charity started by the wife of Eliot Spitzer, Silda Wall. The charity does a lot of good work, yes, but so do a lot of other charities that somehow can't attract high-powered corporate partners or manage to get donors to chip in upwards of 800K at an annual cocktail party. And in politics, donations to schools and schoolkids aren't just acts of goodwill; they're a strategic means of locking in the teachers' union as well as parents.
Like I said, it's a symbiotic relationship, and the fact that I call attention to the fiction doesn't mean I think it's a bad thing. Children for Children, for example, pays a low-to-middlin' ED salary given its stature & location, and I bet if you asked the recipients of its largesse they wouldn't object to whatever political networking may have prompted the original gift.
Next to Spitzer's family, CFC & its beneficiaries are perhaps the folks who stand to lose the most from this whole sorry affair. Whether Spitzer resigns in a back-room plea deal or gets indicted (the two alternatives he's now rumored to be facing), the charity won't lose much if not all of its political cache. Spitzer's senatorial & presidential possibilities have evaporated; his influence as a lobbyist will likely trend to nil, at least for the immediate future. That leaves the Board having to count on the sheer goodwill of its supporters to maintain current levels of support.
Psalm 146:3 advises us not to trust politicians; the Spitzer provides a potent illustration why. Perhaps it would not be a bad idea for charities with a substantial connection to a political leader or celebrity to consider contingency plans in case of scandal, death or other change in fortune. Insurance might even be in order, if a company can be found to write the policy. That may sound like overkill to some folks, but if you've ever worked with an organization that's seen funds dry up after the impossible has happened you'll know why I'm raising the issue.
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Silda Wall Spitzer's charity and the prostitution scandal fallout.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://uncivilsociety.org/mt/mt-tb.cgi/645

Top China Wholesaler-Buy Wholesale Promotional Gifts Promotional Products from China.
China Wholesale Bottle Opener Wholesale Frisbee Wholesale Carabiner Wholesale Keychain Wholesale Mug Wholesale USB Flash Drive Wholesale Cup Wholesale Cap Wholesale Towel Christmas Gifts Wholesale Gift Bags Wholesale Umbrella Wholesale Vuvuzela Wholesale Socks Wholesale USB Products Wholesale First Aid Kit Wholesale Pom Poms Wholesale Clap Hands Water Bottle Wholesale Halloween Gift Wholesale Waterproof Case Wholesale Calculator Wholesale Bag Wholesale Golf Products Wholesale Stress Ball Wholesale Knife Wholesale Wallet Wholesale Lanyard Wholesale Pen Wholesale Flashlight Wholesale Watch Wholesale Candle Wholesale Apron Wholesale Fan Wholesale Lighter Wholesale AshtrayOur main products are consumer electronics, gifts and souvenirs, health care products, beauty products, automobile parts, household items, plastic products, metal products, kitchen supplies, stationery, sports goods, toys, watches, leather products, etc.
China Wholesale Town - China's most viable wholesale supplier of promotional gifts, you can customize your own logo, no matter anywhere in the world!
Wholesale T-Shirts Wholesale Clocks Wholesale Glasses Wholesale Clothes Rack Wholesale Kitchenware Wholesale Vase Poncho Raincoat Wholesale Shoe Wholesale Furniture Wholesale Camera Wholesale Jewelry Wholesale Toys Wholesale Keyboard Wholesale Mouse Wholesale Mat Wholesale Scarf Wholesale Speakers Eye Mask Wholesale Earphone Wholesale Mp3 Recorder Pen Wholesale Tie Wholesale Clothing Wholesale Scissors Wholesale Bookmark Wholesale Mobile Phone Solar Products Lighting Products Wholesale Glass Computer Accessories Wine Set Safety Suppliers Wholesale Tableware Silicone Products Home Appliances Electrical Gifts Automotive Products Audio Video Equipment Consumer Electronics Digital Photo Frame Electroluminescent Wholesale iPod iPhone Wholesale Memory Card Wholesale Radio Wholesale Scale Wholesale TelePhone Voice Recorder Advertising Material Arts Crafts Wholesale Badge Wholesale Pin Wholesale Banner Wholesale Flag Business Gift Coca Cola Gifts Crystal Gifts Flash Gift Gift Box Giveaway Material Inflatable Products Muslim Products Valentine Gifts Vocal Concert Products Wedding Favors Beauty Equipment Wholesale Bracelet Wholesale Bangle Hair Products Health Care Products Heating Products Wholesale Helmet Lady Beauty Care Manicure Set Wholesale Massager Medicine Instrument Men Beauty Care Wholesale Mirror Patient Care Products Wholesale Pedometer Personal Safety Products Safety Products Wholesale Thermometer Cleaner Products Wholesale Coaster