Category: Greg Mortenson

The problem with celebrity philanthropy: Part 2, reality is tougher

27 May, 2011 (10:33) | Celebrities, Charities, Donors, Fame, Greg Mortenson, Kanye West, Madonna, Non-Profits, Philanthropy, US News |

By: David A. Smith    [Continued from yesterday's Part 1.]   Yesterday we sought reasons why celebrity charities so often flame out, from Louise Ciccone’s (Madonna’s) Raising Malawi, which not only abandoned its attempt to build a school but also is entangled with an IRS investigation to potential fraud and tax evasion, as reported in [...]

The problem with celebrity philanthropy: Part 1, fame is addictive

26 May, 2011 (14:50) | Celebrities, Charities, Donors, Fame, Greg Mortenson, Kanye West, Madonna, Non-Profits, Philanthropy, US News |

By: David A. Smith    What is it with celebrities and philanthropy?    Look grateful, honey   I have a theory.   Put a dollar sign on it, Albert   It’s easy to see why celebrities are adopting charitable causes.  For those for whom personal brand is the basis of economic value, philanthropy has become [...]