The way we think about charity is dead wrong | Dan Pallotta

Activist and fundraiser Dan Pallotta calls out the double standard that drives our broken relationship to charities. Too many nonprofits, he says, are rewarded for how little they spend -- not for what they get done. Instead of equating frugality with morality, he asks us to start rewarding charities for their big goals and big accomplishments (even if that comes with big expenses). In this bold talk, he says: Let's change the way we think about changing the world.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[RezhwAmanj]

Not many TED talks manage to completely change my perspective on a topic. This one did.

[stottymcpaa]

This man, in 20 minutes;
-presented me with one of my preconceptions
-presented an alternative in a logical way
-convinced me to accept his point of view.
He is a genius.

[andrewblack]

This has got to be one of the most underrated Ted talks out there. Wow.

[emilythechef]

Wow, I needed this. I'm questioning why our nonprofit brags about being "all volunteer" when if we had funds to invest in our organization and it's people, perhaps we could do MORE good than we do right now.

[careyreagan]

Thank you Dan for being courageous and challenging the status quo. What stuck to me is the history lesson about the Puritans, as I have experienced the same self-loathing. However, I am a NP professional who works as hard and as smart as I can and I do it for less than others in my same position, in my same org. And everyday I question my value and worth because money is the common language of the workplace and I am given less.

[agathaadigwe]

I've been mulling over social innovations and communications for a year now. This provided a foundation for me. Thank you!!

[basilwaheed]

This was a amazing video. As a person who is involved with a nonprofit i learned so much in this 19 minutes.

[careyreagan]

As much as I love my job and see the positive impact I have on others' lives, I also see the need to provide for my family and pursue my dreams, which also cost money =). So, thank you for shining light on the source of this internal struggle. Your talk has empowered me to recognize my own worth and to be brave enough to say to those in leadership, I am worth more.

[whitecavboy]

I headed a fundraising team for Movember which benefits the Prostate Cancer Foundation. We were a biotech making a prostate cancer drug and couldn't have been more tied to the patients. We succeeded based on this model. The company paid ~$500 for team hats, $1500 for a end of the month happy hour. Allowing people to be selfish and experience the FUN and INVOLVEMENT meant we raised $20k the first year and $40K the second. From 10 participants in Seattle to 100 across the country. SUPPORT GROWTH!

[MikieCotignola]

I am a combat veteran with a four-year professional degree from a top university. I now work for a non-profit and this has to be one of the best videos I've ever seen.

[jonathanchambers]

Brilliant! I work in the non-profit world advocating for victims of human trafficking and if the model changed our impact would be greater. Thanks Dan!

[OGWishborn]

This is one of my favorite TED talks of all time.

[joecombs]

There is just one charity I donate to.
March of Dimes.
Every time I say that, I have people tell me March of Dimes is a poor choice because they have a higher overhead than most charities.
I respond like this.
When I was a kid, the March of Dimes was a polio charity.
They worked themselves right out of a job.
So
They chose a new area to sponsor.
Premature births and birth defects.
Since they took on premature births and birth defects they have made a huge impact in that field. Entire new procedures, never before done in the womb surgery, new therapies, the list of new help in this field is just too long too list.
Maybe the overhead at the March of Dimes isn't too high.
Maybe the overhead at other charities is too low.
My oldest daughter lived for 93 minutes after she was born.
If the March of Dimes can keep another family from going through what we went through (and they are helping to make that happen) then they get my dollar.
It's not the overhead that counts.
It's making a difference that counts.
So
My charitable donations will always go to the March of Dimes.
The charity that is YOUR choice, don't worry about the overhead. If they are making a difference in the lives of people you chose the correct charity. You keep supporting them.

[dhararth]

I have spent 3 decades in non profit sector and vouch for genuinity of the points raised in the video

[MrSOULKNIGHTJAZZ]

This is undoubtedly one of the most perspective-transforming videos I've ever seen

[chloemills]

This is one of the best Ted Talks I have ever watched 🙏

[crystalshepherd]

This is why I chose to add the entrepreneurship certificate to my social work major. I felt sick about deciding to major in social work even though I know that's where I belong, b/c I can't imagine spending my life broke and begging people to donate to charity. Why should I learn how to ask people for money when i can just make the money? 

[andyan]

its scary how many of these misconceptions were in my worldview.

[dougieboxell]

This man deserved nothing less than a standing ovation.

[josuemaldonado]

This is just what I needed to hear and see.
Dan, thanks for inspire us to dream and for show us a way to support those dreams.
Blessings.