[jimmyvanhalen]

the money they make for their LPs goes to pension funds, universities, businesses, etc. which in turn creates more jobs, start-ups, investments, donations to charities, etc.

If you're going to donate to charity, do it personally and without all the media hype.

[lotharbot]

The money they give to charity goes to researchers, consumers, and so on. That money gets spent, moving back into the economy, which creates more jobs, start-ups, investments, donations to charities, etc. It's hard to say which route generates more benefit down the line; I have yet to see a robust economic model that handles even second-order effects well.

Media hype can be a good thing or a bad thing. If it's about your own ego, I agree, STFU and give privately. But hype can also convince others to change their behavior. Consider the use of "matching funds" as an incentive to increase charitable giving. Various publicity techniques (such as somebody famous emphasizing philanthropy) can increase giving or help direct it to where it can do the most good.