What's Foolanthropy?

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By Selena Maranjian (TMF Selena)
December 11, 2002

Q. What's Foolanthropy?

A. Foolanthropy (n): The form of charity advocated and practiced by The Motley Fool.

The Motley Fool's annual Foolanthropy drive is underway. Check it out, keeping in mind the five tenets of Foolanthropy:

I. Foolanthropy seeks to fulfill the same mission as The Motley Fool: to educate, amuse, and enrich. Great charities are deeply involved in education, offering it to beneficiaries, the volunteers, and the public at large. Amusement can come in the form of creative fund-raising campaigns or infectious excitement and enthusiasm. Enrichment occurs for beneficiaries, volunteers, and society -- and it's not just financial enrichment, either.

II. Foolanthropy expects. Foolish charities are not paternalistic. When possible, they don't give and expect nothing in return. Instead, they aim to confer a sense of ownership on those whom they serve, expecting beneficiaries to participate in their own assistance. They foster a sense of personal responsibility.

III. Foolanthropy make its finances transparent. Anyone giving to a Foolish charity should be able to clearly see exactly where the money has gone, starting with a simple look at the financial statements.

IV. Foolanthropy creates sustainable solutions. Foolish charities don't offer stopgap, short-term aid, but instead support self-sustaining long-term solutions. Ideally, a Foolanthropic charity tackles epic problems and offers powerful solutions.

V. Foolanthropy involves the public at large. The most Foolish charities are tackling major problems so effectively that they tend to capture the public's imagination and support.

You can discuss Foolanthropy in general or any specific charitable organizations that interest you on our Foolanthropy discussion board.

If you have any questions, thoughts, or opinions on this column, share them with others on our Ask the Fool discussion board.

This question and answer is adapted from The Motley Fool Money Guide: Answers to Your Questions About Saving, Spending and Investing. For answers to this and 499 other common money questions, check it out -- it's a handy resource.