# Five tweets for fundraisers for 3 November 2021

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/11/03/elon-musk-and-wfp/
- Published: 2021-11-03T10:29:32+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Here are five more tweets selected from the many that cross our screens. The fundraising
possibilities of #TwosDay next year, research into tax incentives in the US and 
how they affect companies donating goods, a stuffed fundraising dog on a station
platform, Elon Musk and that tweet about (maybe) donating $6 billion, and the need
to question why philanthropy and social justice don’t automatically go hand in hand.**

Here’s our latest collection of tweets that we think highlight key developments 
for fundraisers, plus the occasional one that might make fundraisers smile.

We’re on Twitter at [@ukfundraising](http://twitter.com/ukfundraising) and [@howardlake](http://twitter.com/howardlake).
Do join us.

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## 1. The power of two

Did you know that next year features **#TwosDay**? Matt Smith reckons there must
be an opportunity for lots of charities to make something of this striking date.
A matched giving campaign perhaps? What do you think?

> Currently overly-obsessed with the fact that the 22nd February 2022 (aka 22/2/
> 22) is a Tuesday…
> It’s being dubbed [#TwosDay](https://twitter.com/hashtag/TwosDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> and now thinking charities should be grabbing it and doing something fun with 
> it 🤓2️⃣✌🏻
> — Matt Smith (@InnovationMatt) [October 11, 2021](https://twitter.com/InnovationMatt/status/1447590556046135312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## 2. Donated goods and tax incentives

Brian Mittendorf is a nonprofit accounting professor at Ohio State University. His
latest research looks at how tax incentives to encourage companies to donate unsold
inventory actually affect their donation practices.

 https://twitter.com/CountingCharity/status/1445703970886873095

## 3. Memorial to a fundraising dog

If you’re a regular at Slough railway station you’ll no doubt know about Station
Jim, the fundraising dog who is honoured with permanent memorial. One for the [@fundraisingdogs](http://twitter.com/fundraisingdogs)
team.

> The goodest [https://t.co/JfmDKM38fY](https://t.co/JfmDKM38fY)
> — Doctor MunRobot 🗑🔥 (@elmunro) [November 1, 2021](https://twitter.com/elmunro/status/1455175634951581701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## 4. Elon Musk and the World Food Program

Very, very occasionally a public tweet to a billionaire starts a conversation.

Elon Musk responded to a tweet suggesting that 2% or $6 billion of his money could“
solve world hunger” by offering to sell Tesla stock to that amount and donate it.
But only if the WFP could describe exactly how the donation would achieve that aim–
and insisting that the figures be shared transparently and publicly.

> If WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $6B will solve world hunger,
> I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it.
> — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) [October 31, 2021](https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1454808104256737289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

There followed a prompt response from David Beasley, Executive Director of the WFP,
and brief conversation in which Beasley asked to meet with Musk to discuss in more
detail, ideally at a location where Musk could see its work and people in action.

> .[@elonmusk](https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Instead of tweets,
> allow me to show you. We can meet anywhere—Earth or space—but I suggest in the
> field where you can see [@WFP](https://twitter.com/WFP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)’s 
> people, processes and yes, technology, at work. I will bring the plan, and open
> books.
> — Cindy McCain (@WFPChief) [November 1, 2021](https://twitter.com/WFPChief/status/1455191851829497861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

There is no indication as to where the conversation has got to beyond this.

Musk’s approach to philanthropy is different, but not everyone is convinced it is
the most effective approach:

> After insisting on right to give privately, Musk is developing a public philanthropic
> persona unlike any we’ve seen from a mega-donor: it lacks coherent framing principle(
> other than interplanetary ambition) & seems focused as much on trolling as winning
> praise, defining mission. [https://t.co/0SJIcmn2Ip](https://t.co/0SJIcmn2Ip)
> — Benjamin Soskis (@BenSoskis) [October 31, 2021](https://twitter.com/BenSoskis/status/1454875947459616771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## 5. Educate yourself – and others

Philanthropy and social justice don’t always go hand in hand. Fortunately that is
being recognised and some efforts made to tackle that in areas such as the climate
crisis.

Mike Zywina at Lime Green Consulting reminds us that major donors can still skew
the number and type of beneficiaries of their donations on a large scale.

> Of all the stats I found when researching a recent talk on philanthropy & ethical
> [#fundraising](https://twitter.com/hashtag/fundraising?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw),
> this one blew my mind. Everyone is entitled to their own view in support or criticism
> of philanthropy. Just don't start from a position that most philanthropy addresses
> inequality. [pic.twitter.com/nElstnGW2K](https://t.co/nElstnGW2K)
> — Mike Zywina – Lime Green Consulting (@LimeGreenConslt) [October 25, 2021](https://twitter.com/LimeGreenConslt/status/1452566127020756993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 * **[Five tweets for fundraisers on 11 October 2021](https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/10/11/five-tweets-for-fundraisers-on-11-october-2021/)(
   11 October 2021)**
 * **[Five tweets for fundraisers on 20 May 2021](https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/05/20/five-tweets-for-fundraisers-on-20-may-2021/)(
   20 May 2021)**
 * **[Five tweets for fundraisers on 10 October 2017](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/10/10/five-tweets-for-fundraisers-for-10-october-2017/)(
   10 October 2017) **
