On “Giving Tuesday” Giving’s Never Been Easier – Or Cheaper for Global Corporations

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http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/11/30-3



t’s "Giving Tuesday" on December 3. Following Black Friday, on Giving Tuesday, people all across the United States will be kicking off the holiday season not with shopping, they say, but with giving.

In just its second year, Giving Tuesday is attracting thousands of participants large and small. Whenever haves help have-nots that’s worthy of praise. Still, when massive global corporations want praise too, I get a little queasy.

Don’t get me wrong, GRITtv is viewer supported. We’re all for charitable giving, and every day, we’re reminded of just how much generosity is out there. This year, an anonymous donor enabled us to hire a third team member and start a podcast. We thank that donor daily.

But the massive corporations taking part in Giving Tuesday aren’t anonymous. They want positive pr, and for that they deserve serious scrutiny.

Take Verizon. For Giving Tuesday, the Verizon Foundation says it will contribute to three large non-profits as directed by the votes of Verizon workers. The company calls it giving back and “giving voice” to employees.