Opinion|Article About Sean Fieler Sparks Heated Debate

It Was Wrong to Put a Spotlight on a Person Who Advances Hate

To the Editor:

The levels I’m offended by the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s article on conservative philanthropist Sean Fieler (March 7, 2023) are beyond description. As a gay man who falls within many areas of the diversity, equity, and inclusion spectrum, I take deep offense that the Chronicle felt publishing this piece was okay. The article undermines our democracy and the values philanthropy stands for.

Fieler uses his financial gains to advance hate. How dare the Chronicle put a spotlight on him. I call upon your publication to retract this story and apologize for poor editorial judgement.

Troy Coalman
Senior Director of Donor Impact
Wellspring Family Services

Fieler Article Runs Counter to Chronicle’s Stated Mission

To the Editor:

The following statement went out last May from Stacy Palmer, the editor of the Chronicle of Philanthropy: “We are boldly reimagining our mission to amplify our role as a trusted source of information for social-sector professionals. We believe the nonprofit world must play an essential role in rebuilding our nation amid the pandemic, racial reckoning, growing economic inequality, and threats to democracy. By expanding our staff and lifting our ambitions, we can help overcome the problems that have deprived nonprofits of the resources, tools, and talent they need to change the world.”

Please let me understand how that statement is reflected in the recent profile of Sean Fieler. Rebuilding does not happen when your chosen subjects are committed to dividing and silencing those that do not fit their subjective definitions of worthy. We can disagree on a lot, but in the end our job in this space is to look forward and open our minds and hearts to build something better. This article and this subject fail to live up to that. Perhaps my expectations are too high or, more likely, my expectations have outgrown small-mindedness more interested in clicks and mentions than the actual work at hand.

Kim Rich
Fundraising specialist
Washington, D.C.

Journalism Has a Responsibility to Present Different Perspectives

To the Editor:

I saw the heightened response on LinkedIn to the recent piece on conservative philanthropist Sean Fieler and wanted to respond. Journalism is tasked with educating the public about what is happening in the world, in a balanced way, without a moral judgement on its rightness or wrongness. Many of the commenters call for extensive moral criticism within the article, or for pulling the piece all together, which on both counts would undermine this principle.

Readers need to move beyond thinking it is dangerous to present different viewpoints, or a full picture of the world around us, and criticizing publications that do. The greater danger is to assume that contrasting values don’t exist and that a diversity of moral and religious beliefs is harmful to society.

Those who understand these fundamental principles stand by the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s contribution toward a stronger and more informed sector.

Jemimah McMurray
Marketing and Communications Officer
Sydney, Australia

Editor’s Note

We appreciate all feedback from our readers. Constructive criticism helps us do our jobs better, and we take every comment seriously. At a time when the nation is increasingly polarized, we believe it is our role as journalists to examine all aspects of the nonprofit world and to do so in an unbiased and accurate way. Understanding an influential donor’s strategy and goals — whether you support or oppose them — helps make philanthropy stronger.