While visiting The Alhambra in Granada this past Friday, I was struck by the lack of any collection boxes. And I found no literature reminding people that the cost of operations far exceeds the revenue they receive from the price of admission (€10); nor were there wall plaques at this world-wonder listing its generous donors. When I joined up with my friend and frequent travel companion Marino on Saturday and shared my observation, he commented that there is plenty of philanthropy in Europe by corporations but individual giving is rather minimal. Of course, like the U.S., corporate giving is likely to decline at the culmination of mergers and consolidations which will be the ultimate outcome of the EU countries' rapid move to American-style capitalism. Ultimately, important places like The Alhambra, because of their world status, will receive the lion's share of corporate support (maybe even naming rights—The BP Alhambra, The Nestle Acropolis), while smaller NGOs might languish as their tax-based funding evaporates.
Political advertising in Spain calls for the lowering of taxes, which is understandable but also likely to impoverish NGOs. While some European countries are slowly moving towards some form of philanthropy, it's slow going. Even the Picasso Museum of Malaga—a splendid new facility in the artist's home town shows no signs of fundraising activity. Nearby, the city's 16th century cathedral bucks the local trend and requests a “contribution” in the form of admission. Marino tells me that the Church has been forced to resort to this because it no longer receives government subsidies.
Talk to you soon!
Bob
