Controversies in Philanthropy: FSSO 119-100 Fall 2021

Ineffective Philanthropy in Latin America

One key factor in what makes an organization effective is whether or not it is sustainable long term. Sustainability includes but is not limited to ability to work with locality, managing funds, and creating a program that doesn't require constant funding. Most NGOs are capable in one area of sustainability but lack the ability to balance all of the requirements.

Agros international is the best example of ineffective philanthropy. This organization seeks to give day laborers, squatters, and renters land in rural Central America. Their issue comes in the form of land distribution, which has high costs and benefits few people. Their reliance on buying land is not cost effective and has low benefit. This organization does not provide the people with farming skills and equipment along with the land, which places those who receive the land at a disadvantage against larger, older farms in Central America. Charity Navigator gives this organization a 2/4 because of the cost of land and the higher administration fees. This organization is not sustainable long term because there are more people than there is land and those who do have the land often sell out.

Confederacion Colombiana de ONG represents a different sort of NGO than the others mentioned. The NGO is actually a confederation of over 850 NGOs operating in Colombia to give a collective voice  to what NGOs need improved. The idea of combing NGOs is not an ineffective idea has it gives weight to demands made upon the government. The issue arises by the sheer number of NGOs involved in the collective that makes organization within ineffective and complicated.

 

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