Teddy Schleifer: Reporting on Big Money Philanthropy
Mar 24, 2022
auto_awesome
Reporter Teddy Schleifer discusses the challenges of reporting on big money philanthropy. Topics include the importance of independent media outlets, balancing individual stories vs systemic issues, Mackenzie Scott's emergence as a major philanthropist, Melinda Gates' distancing from Bill Gates' philanthropy, Elon Musk's potential philanthropy, Zuckerberg's philanthropy in light of Facebook's evolution, and lesser-known Silicon Valley donors. The impact of crypto wealth and the differences between cryptophilanthropy and traditional philanthropy are also explored
The podcast emphasizes the importance of balancing relatable stories with addressing systemic issues in philanthropy.
The emergence of philanthropists like Mackenzie Scott and the consequences of divorce on philanthropic direction are significant topics in big-money giving.
Deep dives
The rise of philanthropy reporting and its challenges
The podcast episode discusses the importance of reporting on philanthropy and the challenges that arise when dealing with wealthy individuals who may not want their dealings known to the public. The speaker emphasizes the need to strike a balance between gossipy and relatable stories and covering systemic issues in philanthropy. They also mention the significant influence and wealth of philanthropists like Mackenzie Scott, Bill and Melinda Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk, and discuss the impact they can have on philanthropy as a whole. The conversation sheds light on the role of lesser-known figures in philanthropy, such as donor advisors and foundation executives, who hold considerable power and influence the direction of charitable giving. Overall, the podcast highlights the complex dynamics of philanthropy and how it intersects with wealth, politics, and public perception.
Mackenzie Scott's philanthropy and its implications
Mackenzie Scott, known for her substantial philanthropic efforts, has dominated the narrative around big-money giving in recent years. The podcast explores the significance of Scott's emergence in philanthropy and questions whether her approach will be successful in achieving the desired impact. It also touches on her increasing public visibility and the challenges of managing transparency while remaining private. The discussion delves into the dynamics of divorce and its potential effects on charitable giving, focusing on Melinda French Gates' philanthropic direction following her separation from Bill Gates. The podcast examines the potential implications of these figures' philanthropic work on the larger charitable landscape.
The influence of lesser-known players in philanthropy
The podcast highlights the importance of paying attention to the individuals working behind the scenes in philanthropy, including donor advisors and foundation executives. It emphasizes that these figures, although often less recognized, hold significant power and influence in shaping the field of philanthropy. The conversation sheds light on figures like Sam Bankman-Fried, a crypto millionaire billionaire, who is beginning his philanthropic journey. It also mentions the role of philanthropoids, who administer wealthy individuals' donations and contribute to decision-making processes. The podcast underscores the need for transparency in understanding the inner workings of philanthropy and highlights the relevance of these often overlooked players.
The intersection of tech philanthropy and effective altruism
The podcast explores the intersection of technology, philanthropy, and effective altruism (EA). It touches on the growing influence of EA principles in the tech industry, where a data-driven and rigorous approach to giving is gaining traction. The conversation discusses the potential impact of EA on shaping philanthropic strategies among tech donors and how it aligns with the mindset of young entrepreneurs and philanthropists. The speakers highlight the connection between effective altruism and the emerging field of progress studies, which focuses on long-term social change and scientific innovation. The discussion recognizes the underlying tensions and criticisms surrounding EA, while acknowledging its potential dominance in shaping the future of philanthropy within the tech industry.
In this episode we talk to Teddy Schleifer, Senior Reporter at Puck News, about what is going on in big money philanthropy in the US, and the challenges of reporting on philanthropy. Including.
Why is it important to have journalists focussing on philanthropy?
Does the trend towards independent media outlets (substacks, specialist outlets etc) make it easier to report on elite philanthropy, or harder?
How do you balance focussing on the individual stories of philanthropists vs systemic issues about philanthropy as a whole?
How hard is it to penetrate the world of the super-rich?
What are the most interesting/encouraging things about Mackenzie Scott’s emergence as a major philanthropist?
What are the main questions that still need answering?
What should we make of Melinda French Gates’s increasing desire to distance her philanthropy from that of her ex-husband, Bill Gates?
Is Elon Musk actually serious about philanthropy? What do we know so far about what kind of philanthropy he might do?
If he brings his existing online persona to his philanthropy, what is that going to mean for philanthropic discourse overall?
How have the last few years and the evolution of Facebook into Meta affected Zuckerberg’s philanthropy?
Who are the big Silicon Valley donors that most of us haven’t even heard of? What are they into?
How seriously should we be taking crypto wealth?
Is cryptophilanthropy any different to traditional philanthropy (other than being done using crypto?) If so, how?
Why are so many Silicon Valley donors into Effective Altruism? Given the likely profile of billionaire wealth in coming years, is EA going to become a bigger part of philanthropy overall?