Millionairesand mini-morality, according to Felix Oldenburg
In the world of economic and success podcasts, "Biz & Beyond" stands out as a transatlantic show that offers insights into business, successes, and personal setbacks. Hosted by Sandra Navidi and Ulrich Reitz, the podcast is produced by n-tv.de and is also available on RTL+.
Recently, the podcast has gained attention for its critique of philanthropic foundations in Germany. In an episode, insider Felix Oldenburg debunked the myth of "good giving" in foundations, arguing that they can perpetuate existing inequalities rather than solve them. Oldenburg contends that foundations often channel resources in ways that align with the interests of wealthy donors or established institutions, rather than addressing systemic issues or funding areas with the greatest need.
This misalignment, according to Oldenburg, creates a funding ecosystem where critical challenges like education gaps, urgent climate action, and social justice are underfunded or overlooked, despite the presence of philanthropic capital. Moreover, the governance and operational models of many foundations may lack transparency and inclusivity, which impedes constructive systemic change.
Oldenburg's critique resonates with contemporary debates on philanthropy’s role in social funding gaps. The need for more accountable, transparent, and impact-driven funding mechanisms that prioritize marginalized communities and urgent societal issues over donor preferences is emphasized.
It's worth noting that Germany holds a significant amount of wealth in foundations, with billions of dollars lying dormant. A significant portion of this wealth is "set aside for eternity" and is untouchable, inflexible, and ineffective. This situation has led to a funding gap for crucial areas such as education, climate protection, and social justice.
If you're interested in learning more about "Biz & Beyond" or wish to get in touch with the team, you can write an email to [email protected]. The podcast is now available as a push notification in the ntv app, making it easily accessible for listeners. You can find "Biz & Beyond" everywhere podcasts are available.
The discussion on "Biz & Beyond" podcast has expanded to include critiques of community and employment policies, as Felix Oldenburg highlighted the need for foundations to prioritize funding for areas with the greatest need, rather than simply aligning with the interests of donors or established institutions. This raises questions about the role of finance in shaping business and personal-finance decisions within philanthropicfoundations.
The governance and operational models of many foundations, as criticized by Oldenburg, could benefit from changes that promote transparency, inclusivity, and impact-driven funding mechanisms, especially in light of concerns regarding underfunding and overlooked issues like education gaps, climate action, and social justice.
