Sun 9 Mar 2008
Lessons from the Big Give
Posted by Marc A. Pitman under Odd , Oprah's "The Big Give" , Samples & ToolsLast week, I blogged about what I like about Oprah’s show “The Big Give” and about my concerns.
I still like it. I loved the way the guys teamed up for the Denver orphanage. The shock and gratitude on the directors face moved me to tears.
Another person got voted off. His “kindness” was considered weak and not benefitting the “neediest” person.
While I understand the criticism, I wonder if the judge’s criteria (which are really Oprah’s criteria) are ones our donors are rating us on as well.
Right or wrong, perceptions reign.
And The Big Give way be a way for us in nonprofits to learn to tell our stories and evaluate our work in ways that resonate with donors.
I’d love to know what you think. Am I on to something? Or am I selling out?
Use the comment link right under the blog title to tell me what you think!
March 10th, 2008 at 11:20 am
What is this program really teaching us about giving? I haven’t watched, because to me it is like a circus “freak show” not about “true giving.” It is giving in a way that will ultimately benefit the giver (big time). Maybe if Oprah did this with children instead of adults it might give us greater insight into the heart of donors. On the whole, I think Oprah is selling out. There are so many other ways for her to teach the world about charity. And how much is she making off this gig? Or is that the money that she is using on the show? And what about ABC? What is their charitable contribution?
March 10th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hey jfundraiser,
Thanks for your thoughts. I’m not sure how this is “selling out” any more than Oprah’s other shows. And I certainly don’t see what ABC’s charitable contribution needs be.
Perhaps I’m missing something.
My understanding, based on how I’ve seen the show advertised, is that this is another “reality TV” show. But rather than strategizing conquest, like Survivor, these folks are competing on giving.
I may be off, but as far as I know, it’s our sector–fundraisers, nonprofits, etc.–that are trying to make this about philanthropy.
It seems more like a human experiment. “What if we gave people money to give away and judeged them? What would they do?”
There’s no more moral obligation to make this about “true giving” than there is to make Monty Python’s The Life of Bryan about “true Christianity” or Survivor about “true leadership training.”
Am I missing something?
March 14th, 2008 at 8:05 am
[…] Marc Pitman, otherwise known as the Extreme Fundraising Coach, offers some interesting insights from a professional fundraiser’s perspective on Oprah’s new television show, “The Big Give.” Check it out here. […]
March 17th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
[…] Lessons from The Big Give (Episode 2) […]