ABSTRACT
This chapter explores ethical debates around conservation fundraising, by focusing on conservation NGOs’ relationships with three kinds of donors. (1) With foundations and donor-NGOs, debates centre around project ownership and expertise, with both donor and donee potentially feeling “used” by the other. (2) With companies, especially those involved in environmentally destructive activities, many conservationists remain concerned about being used for “greenwashing”. Others justified corporate donations based on arguments about changing industry from the inside, only entering into specific non-coercive partnerships, and donation as punishment for corporate crimes. And (3) with the general public, concerns centred around the use of cute and cuddly baby photos, specifically whether these send the wrong message and might encourage undesirable behaviour. Overall, debates about ethics in fundraising arise in a context where funding is scarce, and concerns linger about the ethics and expertise of donors.
