Chris Jones on Vote-based Corporate Giving

(7-2-10) Responding to a recent trend in popular vote-decided, corporate giving campaigns, Chris Jones (Chicago Tribune) argues against taking decision-making out of the hands of grant program officers and makes a case for the unfavorable effect of vote programs on the organizations vying for support. He writes:

There is a noble tradition in Chicago and other cities of the corporate giving officer (or some such title). These hard-working, arts-loving men and women—many of whom I see regularly at openings and who attend many shows are on their time—are charged with separating the wheat from the chaff and ensuring that the worthy get the corporate bucks. Granted, it’s a subjective business, but these are accomplished professionals who know which groups have the stable management, which groups do work that relates to its community, which groups deserve support.

Read his full blog post here. Browse the comments for responses from the Chicago arts community.