.@ConfluenceLLC @CraftBrewingBiz If it benefits the business is it really charity, or is it simply another business strategy?
â LStaff (@L_staff) March 14, 2015
@L_staff @CraftBrewingBiz Bigger impacts when partnership is developed, working towards a common goal.
â Confluence (@ConfluenceLLC) March 14, 2015
@ConfluenceLLC @CraftBrewingBiz Using customer $/goodwill to benefit yourself under guise of charity is bad juju. Fine lines here.
â LStaff (@L_staff) March 14, 2015
@L_staff @CraftBrewingBiz Agreed. Has to be done with sincerity to make a true difference for the charity.
â Confluence (@ConfluenceLLC) March 14, 2015
I believe that if you do receive something in return for helping, it can still be charity, but I need to defend my position. I completely understand the perspective that if you are giving away something and expecting something for yourself in return, it does not seem like act of charity at all.
First, Merriam-Webster defines charity as:
- the act of giving money, food, or other kinds of help to people who are poor, sick, etc.; also : something (such as money or food) that is given to people who are poor, sick, etc.
- an organization that helps people who are poor, sick, etc.
- the organizations that help people in need
According to these definitions, the key part of charity is "the act of giving" and "helping." Nothing regarding returns is mentioned here.
I believe there is a part missing in this definition and that this missing piece is the part that @L_staff believes what truly defines charity. We will get to that in a few paragraphs though.