Philanthropy's Role in Civilization

Philanthropy's Role in Civilization PDF Author: Arnaud C. Marts
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
ISBN: 9781412830775
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
Arnaud Cartwright Marts was successful over a long career in the mainstream of American life in the first half of the twentieth century. Although best known as a professional fund-raiser and co-founder of one of the largest professional consulting firms, he was president of Bucknell University from 1935 to 1945, a lecturer, and an author. This book gathers together the experiences and observations of over thirty years in the field of fund-raising. First published in 1953, it remains an exemplary statement of American capitalism as an ideology of obligation and the special place of foundations in expanding equity in society. The aim of philanthropy, in Mart's view, is to advance progress toward higher levels of well-being for all through the spirit of private obligation and voluntarism, concepts he locates specifically in the Judeo-Christian tradition and American political freedom and the free-enterprise system. The interaction of these concepts has borne fruit in America's colleges, cultural institutions, libraries, and hospitals, institutions that foster universal opportunity and individual initiative. Of particular importance in Marts's view of philanthropy is the role of the foundation and corporate support in promoting large-scale efforts in the direction of educational, scientific, and social progress. This volume is of value as a practical and ethical guide for the professional fund-raiser. Marts makes clear that the fund-raising specialist's expertise is, in part, technical, based on hard experience in working with volunteers, in planning and organizing campaigns, and in advising chief executives and members of boards, but he is firm in his belief that the ultimate purpose in any campaign is the cause to be served. The new introduction to this edition by Robert L. Payton offers a vivid biographical sketch of Arnaud C. Marts, situates his thought in its time and place, and analyzes differing conceptions of social progress between Marts's era and our own. It is of enduring value for fund-raising professionals, and social historians, and students of conservative thought.

Philanthropy's Role in Civilization

Philanthropy's Role in Civilization PDF Author: Arnaud C. Marts
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
ISBN: 9781412830775
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 252

Get Book

Book Description
Arnaud Cartwright Marts was successful over a long career in the mainstream of American life in the first half of the twentieth century. Although best known as a professional fund-raiser and co-founder of one of the largest professional consulting firms, he was president of Bucknell University from 1935 to 1945, a lecturer, and an author. This book gathers together the experiences and observations of over thirty years in the field of fund-raising. First published in 1953, it remains an exemplary statement of American capitalism as an ideology of obligation and the special place of foundations in expanding equity in society. The aim of philanthropy, in Mart's view, is to advance progress toward higher levels of well-being for all through the spirit of private obligation and voluntarism, concepts he locates specifically in the Judeo-Christian tradition and American political freedom and the free-enterprise system. The interaction of these concepts has borne fruit in America's colleges, cultural institutions, libraries, and hospitals, institutions that foster universal opportunity and individual initiative. Of particular importance in Marts's view of philanthropy is the role of the foundation and corporate support in promoting large-scale efforts in the direction of educational, scientific, and social progress. This volume is of value as a practical and ethical guide for the professional fund-raiser. Marts makes clear that the fund-raising specialist's expertise is, in part, technical, based on hard experience in working with volunteers, in planning and organizing campaigns, and in advising chief executives and members of boards, but he is firm in his belief that the ultimate purpose in any campaign is the cause to be served. The new introduction to this edition by Robert L. Payton offers a vivid biographical sketch of Arnaud C. Marts, situates his thought in its time and place, and analyzes differing conceptions of social progress between Marts's era and our own. It is of enduring value for fund-raising professionals, and social historians, and students of conservative thought.

Philanthropy and Society

Philanthropy and Society PDF Author: David J. Maurrasse
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 135174478X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 196

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Book Description
A comprehensive introduction to the field of philanthropy, Philanthropy and Society challenges the reader to think deeply about the role of philanthropic institutions in shaping and bettering the communities they serve and civil society as a whole. While all agree that the function of philanthropic organizations is to maximize the impact of grant making, there is little consensus on how to do that. This book focuses on two trends that have emerged: strategic philanthropy and increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in philanthropy. Amidst persistent societal inequities, the proliferation of philanthropy leaves one wondering about the potential of this expanding industry to influence social change as well as include constituents beyond donors and their staff. The book offers several case studies of different types of foundations from around the world that demonstrate several tactics used to develop plans that are both strategic and inclusive. Upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students of philanthropy, as well as professionals, will come away from this book with a more nuanced and practical sense of the challenging questions the field of philanthropy faces, and the different ways they can be tackled.

American Philanthropy

American Philanthropy PDF Author: Robert H. Bremner
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226073254
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 313

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Book Description
In this revised and enlarged edition of his classic work, Robert H. Bremner provides a social history of American philanthropy from colonial times to the present, showing the ways in which Americans have sought to do good in such fields as religion, education, humanitarian reform, social service, war relief, and foreign aid. Three new chapters have been added that concisely cover the course of philanthropy and voluntarism in the United States over the past twenty-five years, a period in which total giving by individuals, foundations, and corporations has more than doubled in real terms and in which major revisions of tax laws have changed patterns of giving. This new edition also includes an updated chronology of important dates, and a completely revised bibliographic essay to guide readers on literature in the field. "[This] book, as Bremner points out, is not encyclopedic. It is what he intended it to be, a pleasant narrative, seasoned with humorous comments, briefly but interestingly treating its principal persons and subjects. It should serve teacher and student as a springboard for further study of individuals, institutions and movements."—Karl De Schweinitz, American Historical Review "[American Philanthropy] is the starting point for both casual readers and academic scholars. . . . a readable book, important beyond its diminutive size."—Richard Magat, Foundation News

Philanthropy in Democratic Societies

Philanthropy in Democratic Societies PDF Author: Rob Reich
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022633578X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 334

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Book Description
Philanthropy is everywhere. In 2013, in the United States alone, some $330 billion was recorded in giving, from large donations by the wealthy all the way down to informal giving circles. We tend to think of philanthropy as unequivocally good, but as the contributors to this book show, philanthropy is also an exercise of power. And like all forms of power, especially in a democratic society, it deserves scrutiny. Yet it rarely has been given serious attention. This book fills that gap, bringing together expert philosophers, sociologists, political scientists, historians, and legal scholars to ask fundamental and pressing questions about philanthropy’s role in democratic societies. The contributors balance empirical and normative approaches, exploring both the roles philanthropy has actually played in societies and the roles it should play. They ask a multitude of questions: When is philanthropy good or bad for democracy? How does, and should, philanthropic power interact with expectations of equal citizenship and democratic political voice? What makes the exercise of philanthropic power legitimate? What forms of private activity in the public interest should democracy promote, and what forms should it resist? Examining these and many other topics, the contributors offer a vital assessment of philanthropy at a time when its power to affect public outcomes has never been greater.

Charity, Philanthropy, and Civility in American History

Charity, Philanthropy, and Civility in American History PDF Author: Lawrence J. Friedman
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521819893
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 488

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Book Description
This book presents professional historians addressing the dominant issues and theories offered to explain the history of American philanthropy and its role in American society. The essays develop and enlighten the major themes proposed by the books' editors, oftentimes taking issue with each other in the process. The overarching premise is that philanthropic activity in America has its roots in the desires of individuals to impose their visions of societal ideals or conceptions of truth upon their society. To do so, they have organized in groups, frequently defining themselves and their group's role in society in the process.

Philanthropy in the World's Traditions

Philanthropy in the World's Traditions PDF Author: Warren Frederick Ilchman
Publisher: Indiana University Press
ISBN: 9780253333926
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 406

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Book Description
Though voluntary association for the public good is often thought of as a peculiarly Western, even Christian concept, this book demonstrates that there are rich traditions of philanthropy in cultures throughout the world. Essays study philanthropy in Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish, and Native American religious traditions, as well as many other cultures.

Understanding Philanthropy

Understanding Philanthropy PDF Author: Robert L. Payton
Publisher: Indiana University Press
ISBN: 0253000130
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 225

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Book Description
“A fine volume on the moral meaning and function of philanthropy…makes the case that philanthropy is essential to democratic society.”—Choice Philanthropy has existed in various forms in all cultures and civilizations throughout history, yet most people know little about it and its distinctive place in our lives. Why does philanthropy exist? Why do people so often turn to philanthropy when we want to make the world a better place? In essence, what is philanthropy? These fundamental questions are tackled in this engaging and original book. Written by one of the founding figures in the field of philanthropic studies, Robert L. Payton, and his former student sociologist Michael P. Moody, Understanding Philanthropy presents a new way of thinking about the meaning and mission of philanthropy. Weaving together accessible theoretical explanations with fascinating examples of philanthropic action, this book advances key scholarly debates about philanthropy and offers practitioners a way of explaining the rationale for their nonprofit efforts.

Philanthropy in America

Philanthropy in America PDF Author: Olivier Zunz
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691161208
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description
How philanthropy has shaped America in the twentieth century American philanthropy today expands knowledge, champions social movements, defines active citizenship, influences policymaking, and addresses humanitarian crises. How did philanthropy become such a powerful and integral force in American society? Philanthropy in America is the first book to explore in depth the twentieth-century growth of this unique phenomenon. Ranging from the influential large-scale foundations established by tycoons such as John D. Rockefeller, Sr., and the mass mobilization of small donors by the Red Cross and March of Dimes, to the recent social advocacy of individuals like Bill Gates and George Soros, respected historian Olivier Zunz chronicles the tight connections between private giving and public affairs, and shows how this union has enlarged democracy and shaped history. Demonstrating that America has cultivated and relied on philanthropy more than any other country, Philanthropy in America examines how giving for the betterment of all became embedded in the fabric of the nation's civic democracy.

Just Giving

Just Giving PDF Author: Rob Reich
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691202273
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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Book Description
The troubling ethics and politics of philanthropy Is philanthropy, by its very nature, a threat to today’s democracy? Though we may laud wealthy individuals who give away their money for society’s benefit, Just Giving shows how such generosity not only isn’t the unassailable good we think it to be but might also undermine democratic values. Big philanthropy is often an exercise of power, the conversion of private assets into public influence. And it is a form of power that is largely unaccountable and lavishly tax-advantaged. Philanthropy currently fails democracy, but Rob Reich argues that it can be redeemed. Just Giving investigates the ethical and political dimensions of philanthropy and considers how giving might better support democratic values and promote justice.

Why Philanthropy Matters

Why Philanthropy Matters PDF Author: Zoltan Acs
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400846811
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 269

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Book Description
The hidden role of philanthropy in enriching America's prosperity—and the world's Philanthropy has long been a distinctive feature of American culture, but its crucial role in the economic well-being of the nation—and the world—has remained largely unexplored. Why Philanthropy Matters takes an in-depth look at philanthropy as an underappreciated force in capitalism, measures its critical influence on the free-market system, and demonstrates how American philanthropy could serve as a model for the productive reinvestment of wealth in other countries. Factoring in philanthropic cycles that help balance the economy, Zoltan Acs offers a richer picture of capitalism, and a more accurate backdrop for considering policies that would promote the capitalist system for the good of all. Examining the dynamics of American-style capitalism since the eighteenth century, Acs argues that philanthropy achieves three critical outcomes. It deals with the question of what to do with wealth—keep it, tax it, or give it away. It complements government in creating public goods. And, by focusing on education, science, and medicine, philanthropy has a positive effect on economic growth and productivity. Acs describes how individuals such as Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Carnegie, Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey have used their wealth to establish institutions and promote knowledge, and Acs shows how philanthropy has given an edge to capitalism by promoting vital forces—like university research—necessary for technological innovation, economic equality, and economic security. Philanthropy also serves as a guide for countries with less flexible capitalist institutions, and Acs makes the case for a larger, global philanthropic culture. Providing a new perspective on the development of capitalism, Why Philanthropy Matters highlights philanthropy's critical links to the economic progress, health, and future of the United States—and beyond.