Pledges vs Donations

What is the difference between fundraising pledges vs donations?  Over $1 billion dollars has been pledged to restore Notre Dame Cathedral.  The media coverage has boosted the Cathedral's cause.  There's an auction-like atmosphere as each billionaire pledges higher and greater amounts than the last one.  Governments have come together to pledge their support as well.   How much can be expected to actually be donated? Verbal pledges are loose commitments rather than completed actions.  The level of formality of the pledge is to be considered here.  Is a billionaire's  press announcement of $500 million Euros towards the reconstruction of Notre Dame a firm commitment? Is it a written commitment or even a contract? Can you imagine how complicated this is?  A flurry of donor pronouncements and what mechanism and system is in place to keep track of all the information, to confirm it, take details and put forward contracts to make the verbal pledge a real donation offer.   I am cautious about these announcements and commitments - they are being made in the moment of the event and receiving world-wide attention so might be overstated in amounts and actual commitment. I went looking for a default rate on things like this, but haven't found anything quotable.  What I did find is a U.S. example of how corporations feel about their pledges and donations.  Phil Knight, founder of Nike, once announced that he would withdraw a $30 million pledge to his alma mater, the University of Oregon. When Oregon President David Frohnmayer aligned the school with a worker’s rights group critical of Nike’s Asian operation, Knight put his wallet back in his pocket. The $30 million pledge to expand Autzen Stadium was put on hold. The university did not sue. A year later, Oregon ceased its participation and Knight started giving again. Today's image is an invitation to a meet and greet at Hamilton's First Unitarian Church.   There's a show of my work there and this is an invitation to join me on Sunday April 28th to see it.  It would be great to see you there.

Nov 13 - Serious Mistakes

Do you read the second page of the Globe and Mail for the corrections?  Here is a gathering of the funniest corrections in newspapers.  Our first reaches levels of the sublime: Our second involves the mundane: And another truly notable mistake: It must be because this newspaper is located in our nation's capital: I would expect that person might get a few phone calls before this correction was made: After yesterday's story of atheist ministers, this headline doesn't seem so ridiculous now: This Daily Mail correction must have been giving lessons to the current U.S. President: The full article is at  thethings.com - each headline has a humorous commentary.  One of today's trending stories is a topic I covered yesterday.  I thought it was unusual that someone would own a cat cafe. I underestimated what is possible, particularly in Japan.  You can look at the 10 Most Unique Animal Cafes From Around The World HERE. I find out there are racoon cafes, hedgehog cafes, a nature cafe with sheep, goat cafe, reptile cafe, alpaca petting cafe, rabbit cafe, bird cafe, owl cafe, baby chick cafe. Here's one of my images that will be in an art show coming up in March 2019.  The show will open March 2nd 1:00pm at The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, 170 Dundurn St. S. Hamilton.  This is an informal meeting area in the church where art is displayed on a rotating cycle.  I'll keep you posted on the show.

Eastminster United Fall Festival

Eastminster United Church on the Danforth just east of Broadview had a fall festival on Saturday. I participated by exhibiting my work and selling greeting cards.  I got to meet some great artists - all members of the Riverdale Artists Network, an excellent organization supporting artists in Toronto.

The highlight of the day was bringing the camel into the church for the blessing of the animals.  What a sight!  It was after the camel left that I noticed the intricate carving of the Last Supper at the alter with these fall leaves in front.