Yeah, the employer matching is really a different thing because it is not used by the entity trying to get donations. Instead it is a general encouragement to donate charitably. Or said another way, they are trusting you to direct THEIR charitable donations instead of using their money to direct YOUR charitable donations.

On the other hand, I have a couple places where I do like it:

#1: My employer matches donations to any school, including Catholic schools. Do they actually care about Holy Redeemer, St. Gregory’s, or St Eustacius in particular? Would they donate to them if I did not? Clearly not, but part of encouraging me to donate there is their matching program.

#2: After Katrina I donated a large sum to Catholic Charities to help with relief. Beyond that, I wanted to encourage those under me to also donate to a relief agency of their choice. I had donated the number I felt was right in my heart, but would have been willing to give more to encourage others. In the end I decided not to, because I do not trust myself enough to not favor those who donate creating a quid pro quo. I always feel better asking for money from those who have power over me rather than the other way around.

So, what do you think? Is it a goodness to say, in my heart I want to give this much because I believe in this charity … and beyond that I am willing to give this much more to encourage other people to give, which is a goodness in and of itself.

Thanks for being thought provoking,
Brian