Donors or Owners?

By now you've probably heard the story about the wealthy University of Connecticut football donor who has asked for his $3-million donation to be refunded because he disagreed with the selection of the new football coach and he is dissatisfied with the current athletic director.

I'm not a UConn fan, or alumnus so I don't have a dog in this fight, but I think the story gets to a bigger issue. When do donors become owners? Either your donation is a gift, or it's a purchase of power and decisions. Churches, universities, and non-profit organizations that rely on donations to live out their mission and purpose shouldn't be held hostage by wealthy, or influential people. Was UConn's athletic department obligated to follow the wealthy donor's advice over someone who has been a 40+ year ticket holder, paid tuition for their children to go to the university and never missed a home game? If "yes" then why? If yes, then how is this not a purchase of influence?

This is a dangerous slope and a nasty precedent. It's why we have big time laws on this issue in regard to political campaign contributions. I'm not saying the benefactor doesn't have legitimate concerns, or the right to express his opinions on the football program, but at what point does a donation become a purchase? Now if his donation had clearly stated that it gave him the right to make decisions for the athletic program upon the university's acceptance that is different. Every day people endow gifts and make significant contributions to non-profits while specifying how they would like the funds to be used. For example, someone may want to endow a chair in a specific field of study, or they may want to contribute funds to build a new facility for the arts at the school, etc. However, even these donations have to be approved by the board of trustees, or leaders. The organization or institution wants to make sure any and all donations support their mission and purpose. This is why designated contributions can be ugly.

If someone wanted to give our church 2-million dollars to begin a ministry dedicated to promoting the Wican movement our leadership would decline the offer because it is in direct conflict with our stated purpose and mission. However, let's say someone approaches leadership and wants to donate funds to build additional children ministry facilities. We're all in and we would even appreciate their input on the facility! But if they wanted to dictate how our children's ministry leaders lead and what they teach (content, style, volunteers, etc.) we would probably pass on the offer. What's the point of having leaders in certain areas if you are not going to empower and trust their leadership? Why would anyone want to serve when at any moment their role can be made obselete by someone trumping it with more cash?

In this day and age of GTMF (get the money first) leaders would do well to consider the potential "hidden" costs of big donations and remain faithful to the nature, purpose and mission of their organization. Donors need to remember the difference between a gift and a purchase. True gifts have no strings attached. When I give something to you it is no longer my responsibility. It is yours and you are responsible with what you do with with it. By giving I have done my part. Now when I purchase something that is different. I have a stake, claim and ownership in the purchase. I have expectations and we are legally bound by warranties, terms of service/purchase, contracts, etc.

Jesus promoted equal sacrifice. He wasn't as impressed with the size of the gift as he was the cost of the gift. Yeah we're talking about sacrifice. Remember the story of the poor widow in Mark 12:41ff? Her gift was greater than the big donors because it was given at great cost to her. Jesus was also concerned about the attitude of giving. What's the motivation and the attitude of the giver's heart?

I really believe God has blessed certain people with wealth and the ability to use their wealth to be a blessing to others and bring glory to his name. I have been the recepient of their generosity more than once and I thank God for their faithfulness and calling. I also believe there are people who have wealth and use it to influence and control others as they attempt to gain additional wealth. These people are driven by greed and power. And don't be fooled, they are often found in churches. Hollywood and literature have provided us with a fairly accurate picture of their world. They give, but they give with strings, consequences and conditions that may be implied or stated. Scripture says God loves "a cheerful giver". Hard to imagine a "cheerful giver" asking for their money back.