Self-made 
billionaire David Rubenstein just gave $4.5 million to help the National Zoo to help care for its pandas and $7.5 million to restore the Washington Monument. The Chronicle of Philanthropy is criticizing his decision as a misplaced giving priority when so many non-profit organizations are in need of private funding. The Chronicle indicates that Rubenstein’s donation is representative of the misplaced priorities of many of America’s wealthy. The Chronicle further points out that the media recognizes these “small philanthropic potatoes” and “lets philanthropists off the hook to do what they should to help society.”
Pablo Eisenberg, Misplaced Giving Priorities of America’s Wealthy, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Jan. 24, 2012.
Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.
