The Giving Machines are a charitable initiative by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Giving Machines are vending machines that allow people to “purchase” items such as food, clothing, and hygiene products, which are donated directly to those in need through other charities. People can select specific items from the machine, pay for them, and the items are “dispensed” to a local charity or organization. It’s a unique way to encourage charitable giving in hopes of making a positive impact.
The Giving Machines by the Mormon Church have generally been well-received for their charitable intent, and not wanting to detract from the real good they have done, there are valid criticisms and concerns. Those familiar with the shady financial practices of the church, hesitate acception this charitable facade. While the initiative appears commendable on the surface, a closer examination raises critical questions.
Wealthy Church Creates Avenue for Relatively Poor to Donate Money to Help Other Poor
First off, these giving machines are provided by a church that has hundreds of billions of dollars in a rainy day fund, but they invest more in these PR stunts than in actually helping those in need. These machines are essentially set up to allow (relatively) poor people to donate to help other poor people, while the obscenely wealthy church takes the credit.
The Giving Machines are presented as a charitable endeavor, but remember that the funds generated are not directly from the church itself, rather, the church acts as a coordinator for these donations. The church does pay the transaction fees, but the donations are not coming from the church. People are donating at the machines provided by the church. Then the church makes a big announcement about how much money it raised and presents the charity with a large check. These are not funds from the church, but they essentially take the credit for it. They are able to be in the spotlight for presenting this large donation, and many do not realize that it is not the church’s money. To what extent is the church genuinely contributing to these causes championed by the Giving Machines?
Who are making these donations? Is it the general public or is it more local church members who are already paying their tithing and tasked with participating to ensure the giving machines are a success in their area?
We didn’t have very many takers who didn’t seem to already be members of the church. But church members were certainly excited about it. Some of my fellow volunteers drove down from Dayton, about an hour away. And I have heard of families traveling from as far away as Cleveland just to make a donation and teach their kids more about charitable giving.
Jana Riess: I volunteered with ‘Light the World’ Giving Machines for Christmas. Here’s what I saw. December 22, 2023
https://religionnews.com/2023/12/22/i-volunteered-with-light-the-world-giving-machines-for-christmas-heres-what-i-saw/
The scale of these donations pales in comparison to the financial might of the church. Critics argue that the meager sums raised by the Giving Machines are a drop in the bucket when compared to the vast reserves of the church, which is estimated to be in the billions. This leads to a more profound ethical dilemma: why are multi-billion-dollar entities relying on charitable contributions from the economically disadvantaged when they have the capacity to make substantial direct contributions?
Publicity
The church behaves like a giant corporation. This looks eerliy similar to a PR stunt in which a company is more concerned with the positive new coverage and brand recognition associated with the stunt than actually helping those in need. This is something that was common enough in Jesus’ day that he even spoke on it!
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
New Testament, Matthew 6:1-4
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/6?lang=eng&id=p1-p4#p1
The church is sounding a trumpet when doing these alms. Not only that, but they are encouraging others to do the same!
Filming Notice
By entering and by your presence here, you consent to be photographed, filmed and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media throughout the universe in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice and name for any purposes whatsoever in connection with the campaign presently entitled: Light The World. You understand that tall photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent given by you by entering this area. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter this area.
To earn more about the campaign visit: LightTheWorld.org
Light The World Vending Machine, Filming Notice
The machines have a not so easy to find filming notice which states that by entering the area, you consent to be filmed and the church can use your image “throughout the universe in perpetuity” “for any purposes whatsoever.” It’s very legal sounding and certainly not placed to protect the visitors to these machines, or the charitable beneficiaries. This is to protect the church and the media branches of the church. If you don’t want to comply, simply “do not enter this area.” Though, presumably, to read the sign, you must enter the area and it’s already too late.
This shows that the church is very interested in using these machines for media purposes to show what a wonderful church they are. In other words, not only are they sounding a trump about doing alms with other people’s money, they are filming themselves doing it so that they can use it to make themselves look even better!
Bad Press
Along the same vein of being most interested in the publicity from these Giving Machines, the church is especially interested in attracting positive news stories because they have been less favorably viewed recently in the news. This is especially true in the financial sector. There have been multiple whistleblowers leaking just how wealthy some branches of the church are. There have been multiple international investigations. The church has been caught illegally misfiling its investments and holdings with the SEC – where they were even fined $5 Million. Five Million, sounds familiar, that’s how much was raised in the 2021 Giving Machines total:
More than 300,000 people contributed donations exceeding $5.8 million to feed, clothe and help the poor through red charity vending machines set up in 10 U.S. cities in November through December by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/1/24/22899580/heres-how-much-the-giving-machines-raised-for-charity-during-lighttheworld-in-2021
This small ($5 Million) fine is pennies next to the vast investments ($150 Billion plus) though, and had the church been interested in doing substantial good, it appears no organization is in a better position than they are. They could make considerable donations rather than enticing others to do so. Rather than earnestly invest in solving world problems, they act more like a corporation and create PR stunts like this to inflate their own public image.
They are also accused of tax evasion in Australia, and Canada, etc. Is there any way to verify that these donations were carried through as advertised and as intended? Is there any accountability for a vending machine backed by a church that has shown over and over that it is not financially honest?
Can the Church be Trusted?
As the church has proven to be dishonest already wherever finances and even donations are concerned, how do we know these funds are used for the selected purposes? The Giving Machine webpage states that the “participating nonprofit organizations receive 100% of every donation”
Where does my donation go?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers all operational costs for the Light the World Giving Machine initiative. Individual credit card transaction fees are covered by the donor or the Church. As such, participating nonprofit organizations receive 100% of every donation to purchase and deliver your selected item(s).
Occasionally, it becomes necessary to make an item substitution to meet unexpected needs. When this occurs, replacement products or services remain in the same category as the original.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world/giving-machines
The same is reported to be what the vending machines state too.
I did notice that prominently displayed on the side of every Giving Machine at the Cincinnati location is the promise that 100% of donors’ contributions would be given to the charities of their choice. I’m not sure if the Giving Machines from earlier years needed to carry that disclaimer, or if that is a response to the deep mistrust the church has sown about its finances.
Jana Riess: I volunteered with ‘Light the World’ Giving Machines for Christmas. Here’s what I saw. December 22, 2023
https://religionnews.com/2023/12/22/i-volunteered-with-light-the-world-giving-machines-for-christmas-heres-what-i-saw/
Uh, if the Church puts out a vending machine and there’s a card that says “Pay $10 and buy a goat for a village”, then if someone puts in $10 and buys that card then the Church better be dang sure there’s a village getting a goat somewhere.
If there’s fine print that let’s the Church use that money for other charitable purposes instead of actually buying a goat (say, shampooing the carpet in the Houston Temple after it’s flooded), then we should just go back to calling ourselves “Mormons” because I’m not sure Jesus would want his name on a church that did that.
cinepro
https://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/71396-giving-machines/
Just because a website and sign make the claim that 100% goes to the chosen charities, does that guarantee that it really happens? The church has been masterful at telling technical truths while pulling a fast one on it’s own members. The City Creek Mall, for example, was claimed to not have been paid for with tithing funds, but we learned with leaked information that the church used the interest on investments made with surplus tithing funds. The church even prints on tithing slips that the donated funds are not likely going to be used as the members indicate. (see Where Does Mormon Tithing Go? Read the Fine Print) The church has shown multiple times that they will say one thing and do another, they are only as transparent as they know how to be. This claim that 100% of the funds goes to the charities is not to be trusted until the church is forthcoming with detailed reports from these Giving Machines.
The church does not publicly disclose detailed financial information, so it’s challenging to provide precise figures on their charitable donations. The church’s financial transparency has been a topic of discussion and, in recent years, it has taken steps to provide more information about its finances. Still, the exact amount allocated to charitable donations specifically is not publicly disclosed.
Participating nonprofits can use up to 10% of Giving Machine donations for overhead expenses. And each is required to submit a detailed report on how funds were used.
https://www.ldsliving.com/light-the-world-giving-machine-locations-will-triple-for-2023-here-are-the-61-cities-worldwide-youll-find-them/s/11851
It’s sadly ironic that the church requires detailed reports on how funds are used for each participating nonprofit, yet the church itself is woefully non-transparent or forthcoming with detailing how its funds are used. The church reports nearly nothing on the manner in which they use tithing money, even after being investigated and fined by the SEC for misrepresenting their investments for decades.
the news that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was hoarding more than $100 billion in its stock portfolio just about broke me. Since then, I have learned more about the church’s finances and have come to realize that $100 billion is only a portion of its wealth; the total figure is likely significantly higher.
I do not believe any church that claims to represent Jesus Christ in the world should be hoarding that much wealth. It is obscene, outrageous and spiritually dangerous. Having been burned before, I’ve become cautious about reports that the church has recently upped its game in charitable giving. Compared with the wealth it’s sitting on, even donations of a few million dollars here and there are frankly a drop in the bucket.
Jana Riess: I volunteered with ‘Light the World’ Giving Machines for Christmas. Here’s what I saw. December 22, 2023
https://religionnews.com/2023/12/22/i-volunteered-with-light-the-world-giving-machines-for-christmas-heres-what-i-saw/
How Much Have Giving Machines Helped?
In all, giving machine “customers” donated more than $2.3 million in 2018.
Sister Eubank Presents Funds Raised in Church-Sponsored “Giving Machines” to Utah Charities, 11 February 2019
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/sister-eubank-presents-funds-raised-in-church-sponsored-giving-machines-to-utah-charities?lang=eng
Nearly $6.3 million was generated for charitable organizations with purchases at the Giving Machines during the December 2019 Light the World campaign.
Giving Machines Total Nearly $6.3 Million in Donations for Charities, 17 Januarey 2020
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/giving-machines-total-nearly-$63-million-in-donations-for-charities?lang=eng
More than 300,000 people contributed donations exceeding $5.8 million to feed, clothe and help the poor through red charity vending machines set up in 10 U.S. cities in November through December by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/1/24/22899580/heres-how-much-the-giving-machines-raised-for-charity-during-lighttheworld-in-2021
From November through December, an estimated 425,000 individuals in 28 cities and across six countries came to experience the spirit of the Giving Machine. “In 2022, Light the World Giving Machines were in more cities than ever. From New York to Australia and Guatemala to Canada, people came by thousands, with family, friends, and neighbors, to experience what only Giving Machines can provide,” said Karl Cheney, program manager….
Since 2017, Giving Machines have collected more than $22 million.
Bringing Light to the World, One Donation at a Time – 21 March 2023 – Church Newsroom
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/light-the-world-giving-machines-donations-2022-recap
$10.4 million donated through Giving Machines in 61 locations across seven countries
Givers and receivers blessed by donations at 2023 Light the World Giving Machines, 29 Feb 2024
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2024/02/29/giving-machines-2023-total-donations-light-the-world/
Since the Giving Machines first launched in 2017, more than US$32 million has been collected.
Record Number of Giving Machine Donations to Bless the World – 29 February 2024 – Church Newsroom
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/record-number-of-giving-machine-donations-to-bless-the-world
According to church-published news stories, the Giving Machines have :
- 2017: $550,000
- 2018: $2.3 million
- 2019: $6.3 million
- 2020: $0, due to COVID-19
- 2021: $5.8 million
- 2022: $6.2 million
- 2023: $10.4 million
- Total: $32 million
The Giving Machines collected an average of 6 million in 2019 and 2021. Reportedly, the LDS church has at least 120 billion in the Ensign Peak funds and this is a conservative estimate on one single investment that has been leaked by whistleblower – there are likely more.
Remember that this $6 million doesn’t come from the church, but suppose the church donated 6 million to this cause. This would amount to .00005% (6,000,000/120,000,000,000 * 100) of the fund. If you’re having a hard time understanding how little 6 million is when compared to 120 Billion, consider the following. If we divide the 120 billion into separate piles of money, each consisting of 6 million dollars each. That would amount to 20,000 piles of money. The church is essentially taking one pile (of money from other people) and donating it via the Giving Machines. This is the equivalent of one stack of money out of the 20,000. Then the church would roll all 20,000 stacks of money back into their secret “rainy day fund” to continue growing in the stock market. The church didn’t donate any money here, they just presented a check and received the positive PR for organizing and allowing others to donate millions collectively. Also, consider that the church earns more interest on the Ensign Peak Advisors investments every day, than they orchestrate through Giving Machines each year.
More reading:
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world/giving-machines
- https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/giving-machine-2023-christmas
- https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/record-number-of-giving-machine-donations-to-bless-the-world
- https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/light-the-world-giving-machines-donations-2022-recap
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zovxV6_eD2Y
- https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/18ev2p3/the_real_giving_machine_problem/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/17j4mpt/5th_sunday_message_on_giving_machines_coming_to/