The Dark Side Of Corporate Philanthropy: Purchasing Social Legitimacy Through Community Donations

Abstract

This paper challenges the field to recognize the negative impacts of corporate philanthropy. In the opening case example, the town of Fort McMurray is described as an industry supported town in which resident workers are convinced of the good will and positive social impacts of the oil sands mining operations by their daily encounters with the lavish community recreation center and other local displays of corporate generosity. Photographs of industry supported sites in Fort McMurray are included as part of this paper and presentation. Current theories of strategic philanthropy do not acknowledge the potential widespread deception and green-washing perpetrated by the routine and much lauded practice of corporate giving on a major scale. A brief history of philanthropic practices is presented here, as well as a discussion of contemporary approaches to corporate philanthropy. I advocate moving beyond strategic philanthropy to a more encompassing concept that can be considered sustainable philanthropy. The mo...