An Ethical Question: Comedians Ask for Money

Great Debates
1

Please give your ethical opinions of the following scenario in which I currently find myself:

My roommate is a member of a performance comedy troupe. They stage a series of shows about once a year, each time charging about $20 a ticket.

Yesterday, I received a letter in the mail from the group, asking me for a donation. Tax deductible, of course. The money will go to funding the next show, sending them for out-of-town performances, etc. All donations for $50 or more receive a free DVD.

It was a form letter, but my roommate added a hand-written note, specifically mentioning my new “hoity-toity salary.” (I recently went from being paid peanuts to being paid 150% of peanuts.)

This bothered me, for several reasons, all of which may be too subjective to call this unethical:

(1) This time of year, many more worthy causes are asking me for money.

(2) I didn’t think their last show was all that good, especially for $20.

(3) I played a bit part in a short movie they did, giving up five hours of one early Sunday morning for filming.

(4) I produce shows too, and I’m providing them with a performance opportunity in the near future.

(5) My roommate couldn’t just ask me? He was in the adjacent room when I read the letter. Also, the reference to my salary felt like a guilt trip.

(6) I really love the guy, but he’s not the best roommate I’ve ever had, e.g., I’ve “donated” to him by buying all of our communal dishwashing liquid, toilet paper, etc.

Perhaps this is me just being sensitive. Any thoughts?

2

Well, it’s not unethical to ask.

It may not be nice, or social, but it’s not unethical.

3

Another vote for there being nothing unethical about comedians asking for money. Nor is there anything unethical in your choosing not to give based on reasons 1, 2 and 5 from the OP. (Reasons 3,4, and 6 sound like “reasons why I don’t want to give this guy money that have nothing to do with ethics”)

4

See, I wouldn’t call this unethical. BUT this little hand-written note would have pissed me off (I’m like that). No way I’d give him money. Your salary is not his concern, and no reference to it should be made. Whether you should give, or how much you should give, is your own business.

I say give him no money, regardless of the ethics involved.

5

I agree, but if there is something that smells unethical about this, it’s the hand-written note. Talk about yer entitlement philosophy (“you make more money now so you should give some of it to me”).

6

Maybe you could reply with a note telling him thanks, it’s the funniest gag he’s ever written.

7

The situation is more about loyalty and friendship than it is about whether you think t their show is worth $50. Decide on that basis. (Relevant to that, of course, is that he’s not the perfect friend. But who is?)

8

I like that one.

No, not unethical, but I probably wouldn’t give him anything, especially if you’re not pleased with the quality of the shows and the donation is supposed to be a way for those shows to continue. Would you fund a non-friend actor whose work sucked? Also, I find it bizarre that he mailed you something when you live together. Couldn’t that 37c have been better spent funding the next show?

9

Not unethical. Not-for-profit theatre groups often solicit donations in addition to staging paid performances. Perhaps it could have been done more tactfully in your case, but there is nothing particularly out of the ordinary about it.

If you think the work they’re doing is important, then give them a donation. If you think they’re just dorking around, tell them to beat it.

10

Arts groups have donation or pledge drives all the time. It’s no different than getting a request form the ballet or the symphony. I personally wouldn’t have hit up my roomie for a donation but then I’m funny about that. I can see why he’d mail it though, so he wouldn’t have to pressure you to your face.

I’d treat it like any other random charity requests - roundfile it if it doesn’t fit your current plans. I wouldn’t bring it up to the roomate and I’d decline to discuss my finances if he tried to press me about it. Really it’s a business matter after all.

11

Nothing unethical here, but plenty of crassness in their appeal. Are you sure that contributions are tax deductible? They don’t sound very professional, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they hadn’t crossed the i’s and dotted the t’s to ensure tax deductibility of contributions.

12

That was my first thought also. Having an organization set up to collect tax deductible donations is not a simple thing to do. From what you describe of the group, they don’t sound like an organization that would qualify.

I would design a form letter of my own, and formally request that they verify their organization’s tax-exempt status. Ask for a copy of their “Letter of Determination” which is the formal notification an organization receives from the IRS once its tax exempt status has been approved. Just because an organization may be tax exempt itself does not mean donations made to it are tax deductible, in fact most times they are not.

Here is just one thing that the IRS requires, it is 28 pages long, look at the last 2 pages for a summary.

And on your form letter requesting proof of tax deductability, hand write a note telling him you hope he understands, but as the recipient of a “new hoity toity salary” you are now more able to make a difference, and you want to be responsible with how you give your money. Tell him you will consider his request for funds along with some other worthy charities you might like to support.

Sorry to stray away from your original question, but this is the part that I see as unethical. If the group is claiming a status they are not entitled to, then they are unethical. And if they do qualify, and are a legitimate charity, if they are not unethical, then they are very unprofessional in their solicitations, and I would not want to give money to a group who conducted itself that way.

13

I don’t think it’s unethical, I think it’s rude.

14

A comedian? Asking for money? Don’t make me laugh.

15

Tell him you’re glad he brought this to your attention. Tell him you’re glad to see that your various contributions of time and money to date have gone towards a tax-deductable cause and you want to make sure you get a receipt for tax purposes. Also ask him when you’ll receive that DVD, as certainly you’ve contributed at that level already. Oh, and tell him he’s welcome.

16

Not unethical for them to ask, not unethical for you to refuse - rude for your roommate’s hand written note. (There are handwritten notes that would not have been rude, (e.g., “Thanks for helping us in the movie!” or “Thanks for coming to our last show!” but most of the time the words “hoity-toity” are not going to be surrounded by a polite phrase - this was not one of the few exceptions)

That’s because they’re hoping to hit you as you think about taxes. This is your last chance to make charitable donations for next year’s filings…they’re hoping that you remember that and think of them.