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FEELING GENEROUS
The current state of philanthropy in America. January 1, 1998 |
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Questions asked
in this forum:
Are Americans now more concerned with humanitarian and social philanthropy than ever before? Does America's generosity derive from some national benevolence or is it representative of a failure by our government to provide a social safety net for the underprivileged? With respect to Mr. Soros' and Mr. Turner's philanthropic undertakings, do you believe that there is a danger with such large scale donations? With all the attention given to Soros and Turner, it seems to me that the "little man", the average American, has been grossly overlooked. Has not the average American also been giving more? What do you believe can explain the recent upturn in philanthropic donations? New wealth? New spirituality?
NewsHour Coverage
December 30, 1997
A discussion on the philanthropic undertakings of the cyber-rich.
Browse the NewsHour's coverage of welfare.
Outside Links
The Independent Sector
The Center for the Study of Philanthropy
The Internet Non-Profit Center
The National Charities Information Bureau evaluates national charitable organizations
Soros Foundations NetworkIn the spirit of this holiday season, we reflect upon philanthropy.
According to "Giving USA, 1997" over 40% of American's donations are given to charities affiliated with religion, which many contend is a natural outgrowth of the United States' strong religious heritage. But whatever the reason may be, philanthropy is experiencing a revival. And as Spencer Michels of KCTS Seattle reported, these new philanthropists are donating their money in new and interesting ways.
Although the super rich and have dominated the headlines, the American Association of Fundraising Counsel says individual giving to charity has increased 9.5% over the last two years, to $130.4 billion in 1996. The increase in giving is only half the story, however. Some experts contend that philanthropy itself is going through a major transformation and that the philanthropic undertakings of the super rich represent a trend.
In September, media tycoon Ted Turner pledged $1 billion to the United Nations. Over the last decade, George Soros, the billionaire financier, has spent nearly $1.5 billion through his Open Society foundations to promote political, economic and social reform in the United States and abroad. And recently, Microsoft founder and CEO Bill Gates announced plans to spend $200 million over the next five years to computerize libraries around the nation.
Critics fear there are personal agenda's behind the huge individual contributions. They fear that Ted Turner may try to use his money to influence the decision making process of the United Nations; that George Soros' pledge of $500 million to aid reform in Russia is nothing more than a way to secure his investments; and that Bill Gates, long criticized for not giving enough, is equipping libraries with Microsoft run computers to breed a new generation of Microsoft consumers.
Whatever their reasons may be, these high profile donations have brought philanthropy back into the collective conscience of the nation. Not since the industrialists of the late 19th Century - the Carnegies, the Vanderbilts, the Rockefellers - has there been such generous gifts.
With $2 trillion in assets expected to be inherited by today's middle aged - the largest transfer of wealth from one generation to the next in history - many experts believe the trend will continue.
Our forum asks: Has there been a fundamental change in the way we view philanthropy ? Is there a danger inherent with huge donations? Is this forum just looking a gift horse in the mouth??
What's your view?
Answering your forum questions are the Independent Sector, a Washington, D.C., based think tank that monitors philanthropic trends, and Kathleen D. McCarthy, Director of the Center for the Study of Philanthropy at City University of New York.
Are Americans now more concerned with humanitarian and social philanthropy than ever before? Does America's generosity derive from some national benevolence or is it representative of a failure by our government to provide a social safety net for the underprivileged? With respect to Mr. Soros' and Mr. Turner's philanthropic undertakings, do you believe that there is a danger with such large scale donations? With all the attention given to Soros and Turner, it seems to me that the "little man", the average American, has been grossly overlooked. Has not the average American also been giving more? What do you believe can explain the recent upturn in philanthropic donations? New wealth? New spirituality?
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