Well, of course you're asking other people to pay for your
expenses: That's what a fundraiser does. Similarly, when you
receive a solicitation letter from Doctors Without Borders or the
ASPCA or a political candidate, you are being asked to help pay
somebody's expenses. And like those groups, you are not forcing
anyone to contribute: no threats of reprisals, no hints of
violence. (And, alas, no car wash, no bake sale. Have you no
respect for tradition? No love of brownies?) Those you importune
can decide if they deem your team a worthy cause that they wish
to underwrite. Some people may donate out of altruism; others
because they believe youth sports benefit the entire community,
not just the athletes themselves. But as long as your fundraiser
is legal, transparent and free from conflicts of interest and
untoward pressure on potential donors, there's no ethical bar to
any family's participation.
An argument against this kind of ad hoc financing, however: It
undermines the idea that sports should be part of the general
school budget, paid for out of public funds. Your team's actions
encourage local officials to rely on private money. Hence your
fundraising may have short-term benefits but threaten school
sports in the long run.
Randy Cohen
Randy Cohen writes "The Ethicist" a weekly column for the New York Times Magazine, syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate in newspapers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Be the first to read Randy Cohen's column. Sign up today and receive Townhall.com delivered each morning to your inbox.
©Creators Syndicate