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| In the 2004 book "Just Money - A Critique of Contemporary American Philanthropy" edited by H. Peter Karoff and published by TPI Editions, strategic philanthropy and the experience of major foundations is made relevant to every donor and would-be donor. See www.tpi.org | In the 2004 book "Just Money - A Critique of Contemporary American Philanthropy" edited by H. Peter Karoff and published by TPI Editions, strategic philanthropy and the experience of major foundations is made relevant to every donor and would-be donor. See www.tpi.org | ||
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Revision as of 08:13, 4 August 2005
Philanthropy involves the donation or granting of money to various worthy charitable causes. It is seen as a way to directly effect change in society without recourse to the bureaucratic mechanisms of government. Someone who practices philanthropy is known as a philanthropist. Philanthropy is a major source of income for artistic, musical, religious, and humanitarian causes and for universities.
Philosophical views on philanthropy
Philanthropy is not always viewed as a universal good. Notable thinkers such as Friedrich Nietzsche objected to philanthropy on philosophical grounds, connecting it with the idea of the weak leeching off the strong. Ayn Rand is another major thinker with similar views.
Political views on philanthropy
Governments are often supportive of philanthropic efforts. In many countries, those who donate money to a charity are given a tax break. At one extreme of this kind of thought, there is a school of American Republican thinking that wishes to eliminate all government granting programs, and which avers that philanthropy will provide for all deserving charitable needs.
Social activism and philanthropy
Social activists frequently criticize philanthrophic contributions by corporations whom activists consider "suspect". An example is the Harvard, Exxon, and South Africa case. Harvard University divested itself of Exxon stock after pressure and accusations that Exxon's doing business in South Africa contributed to apartheid. But when asked if they still wanted to receive philanthropic contributions from Exxon, Harvard said "yes". Some considered this morally inconsistent. If Harvard remained a stockholder, it could have voted to stop operations in the country. Instead it walked away. Exxon did in fact stop doing business in South Africa, as did other companies like Xerox, thereby costing employees their jobs and the country several contributors to a healthy economy.
Uses of the word
By the conventional definition of philanthropy, only a wealthy person can be a philanthropist. Many non-wealthy individuals have dedicated – thus, donated – their lives to charitable causes but have never been described as philanthropists.
Robert L. Payton expanded the conventional defintion of philanthropy in his 1988 book "Philanthropy: Voluntary Action For the Public Good." The text of this book and many of his writings are available at PaytonPapers.
In the 2004 book "Just Money - A Critique of Contemporary American Philanthropy" edited by H. Peter Karoff and published by TPI Editions, strategic philanthropy and the experience of major foundations is made relevant to every donor and would-be donor. See www.tpi.org
Famous Philanthropists
External links
- A Bourgeois Duty: Philanthropy, 1896-1919 — Illustrated Historical Essay
- How to do Global Philanthropy
- Famous Philanthropists
- Famous and Celebrity Philanthropists