to country club dues.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewcave/2014/06/23/giving-to-your-church-doesnt-count-jon-huntsman-snr-and-twitters-biz-stone-on-new-philanthropy/

The reason I say that (and how it relates to your post) is that charitable giving is mostly related to the giver's pet project and probably isn't a very efficient use of resources at the end of the day.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's noble to a point, and should be tax deductible, but I see some of the expenditures/donations as things that line up with the giver's political views only. It's like me giving extra money to the lds church because I believe the best thing we can give people is the gospel, but having no concern for their temporal welfare.

Renewable energy research has potential to benefit everyone. It could also be a huge toilet flush of perfectly good money. I guess charity versus country club dues is all a matter of perspective.