SOUND

Money is filth, rotten, scourge of the planet. The root of all evil and the thief of compassion, this carrot correctly dangled will lure even the most hardcore activist from her original goals and connive her into a conventional life of greed.

True or false?

It’s true that some money supports war and weapons, and true that money tricks some of us into disregarding environmental concerns, but can money be just as easily used for good? Indeed, whether a person has nothing extra, cash to spare, or a tidy savings account, options abound.

“I can’t help –I have nothing to spare!”

No extra cash? Your usual grocery and household purchases can make a difference. Citizens Bank of Canada offers a credit card ensuring that a portion of every card purchase goes to a good cause. “Every time you use your Shared Interest VISA, Citizens Bank puts 10¢ into a donations pool to support not-for-profit initiatives aimed at effecting positive social, economic and environmental change. As a member, you have a say in how the money is directed towards the issues that are important to you. Members can suggest which groups or issues the money should support by casting their votes.” There is also a card to specifically support Amnesty International.

“I don’t have oodles, but I’ve got a bit of room in my budget.”

With cash, we can actively support organic farming by purchasing its produce. Print on only 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Donations, or the purchase of ad space, can support alternative media, like SOUND. You can also help out by sponsoring education or supplies for low-income activists and groups.

“I don’t need all of my money right now, and I feel guilty about this but I want to hang onto it for emergencies.”

Guilt not! Hoarding your cash in ethical options lets you have your cake –and someone else to have theirs, too. Basically, you put your savings into a specific type of account. The bank in turn loans that money to projects, charging them a very low interest rate. When your investment period is up, you get your money –plus interest– back. (Depending on the account you choose, you can also get it back whenever you need it, but without the bonus money.)

A win-win solution, VanCity’s Shared Growth Term Deposits have recently helped provide housing for people in addiction recovery, supported a program to reduce the number of cars on Vancouver roads, aided pregnancy support for at-risk women, reinforced eco-forestry, and more. Meanwhile, their Shared World Term Deposit supports families in the majority world to build more sustainable lives, usually through self-employment. Other organizations (see action, below) allow one to make direct loans to people in need.

Indeed, there are many options for the compassionate person to use money for good. Over the past several years, ethical purchasing and investing has become a viable answer to some of our world’s most critical issues.

August 2006
SOUND