Other Voices
Why Don’t the Wealthy Give More? This Philanthropy Advisor Has Some Ideas
When they have so much, why don’t those with means give more? The reasons are obviously complex and multifactorial. As a society, we tend to both valorize and villainize the very wealthy, alternatively marveling at their ornate lifestyles and condemning their excesses.
The Growing Thirst for Reform in Philanthropy
A growing number of philanthropists are raising awareness about the need to address excessive wealth in philanthropy. Earlier this year the Donor Revolt for Charity Reform campaign officially launched with a letter signed by more than 160 prominent philanthropists demanding charitable giving reform measures to address inequality in philanthropy.
IRS is considering changes to rules governing donor-advised funds
In recent years, DAF assets have grown collectively to nearly $230 billion held in almost two million accounts…“There are abuses out there and there’s money going places it probably shouldn’t,”
These Donors Are Revolting Against the “Charity Lobby” to Push Sweeping Philanthropic Reform
In the latest development in that ongoing saga, a coalition of donors has come together around an effort they’re calling the Donor Revolt for Charity Reform — and they’re willing to fight prominent philanthropic stakeholders to push for legislative changes.
Heiress Seeks 50 Austrians to Give Away $27 Million
The heiress, Marlene Engelhorn, said it was an attempt to challenge a system that has allowed her to accumulate millions of euros in the first place. For years she has been campaigning for tax policies that would redistribute inherited wealth and address structural economic inequality.
The Harry Belafonte Speech That Changed My Life
Belafonte said, “I think that philanthropy is a big part of the problem” because it fails to fund the real change makers….We’ve become a shadow of need rather than a vision of power.”
Would the World Be Better Off Without Philanthropists?
The good guys are generous rich people who give to causes we all approve of, like combatting climate change; the bad guys give in order to launder their reputations…the salient questions about philanthropy, for most people, have to do with the size and the quality of a donor’s heart and soul.
Don’t wait for billionaire philanthropy to fix America
Of the 50 top donors, most gave what could be characterized as legacy gifts: donations to universities and major medical centers that will likely go toward buildings and endowments and are made with an eye toward attaining some sort of edificial immortality.
Donor-Advised Funds Don’t Pass the Democracy Smell Test
DAFs will continue to be part of the problem, not the solution, to democratizing philanthropy until a significant amount of the $140 billion stockpiled in these funds starts flowing to nonprofits working to address the nation’s many economic, educational, health, and environmental needs.
Philanthropists seeking to fix big problems must tread carefully – here’s how they can make their efforts more compatible with democracy
How should wealthy people respond to daunting problems like racism, economic inequality and climate change? Leading thinkers have long questioned whether philanthropy offers appropriate or meaningful solutions to vexing challenges.