Philanthropy and Status Boundaries among the Elite. Religion, Ethnicity, and Jewish Philanthropy. Gender, Marriage, and Philanthropy. Education, Culture, and the Institutionalization of Philanthropic Values. Attitudes toward Inheritance and Philanthropic Bequests. Government and Philanthropy : Alternatives or Complements?

"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." -- Publisher's Description.

An inside look at the secretive world of elite philanthropists--and how they're quietly wielding ever more power to shape American life in ways both good and bad. While media attention focuses on famous philanthropists such as Bill Gates and Charles Koch, thousands of donors are at work below the radar promoting a wide range of causes. David Callahan charts the rise of these new power players and the ways they are converting the fortunes of a second Gilded Age into influence. He shows how this elite works behind the scenes on education, the environment, science, LGBT rights, and many other issues--with deep impact on government policy. Above all, he shows that the influence of the Givers is only just beginning, as new waves of billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg turn to philanthropy. Based on extensive research and interviews with countless donors and policy experts, this is not a brief for or against the Givers, but a fascinating investigation of a power shift in American society that has implications for us all.

An in-depth study of why and how the richer members of our society engage in philanthropy. For fundraisers, CEOs, senior manageers, professional advisers and academics.

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.

Before the 99% occupied Wall Street... Before the concept of social justice had impinged on the social conscience... Before the social safety net had even been conceived... By the turn of the 20th Century, the era of the robber barons, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) had already accumulated a staggeringly large fortune; he was one of the wealthiest people on the globe. He guaranteed his position as one of the wealthiest men ever when he sold his steel business to create the United States Steel Corporation. Following that sale, he spent his last 18 years, he gave away nearly 90% of his fortune to charities, foundations, and universities. His charitable efforts actually started far earlier. At the age of 33, he wrote a memo to himself, noting ..".The amassing of wealth is one of the worse species of idolatry. No idol more debasing than the worship of money." In 1881, he gave a library to his hometown of Dunfermline, Scotland. In 1889, he spelled out his belief that the rich should use their wealth to help enrich society, in an article called "The Gospel of Wealth" this book. Carnegie writes that the best way of dealing with wealth inequality is for the wealthy to redistribute their surplus means in a responsible and thoughtful manner, arguing that surplus wealth produces the greatest net benefit to society when it is administered carefully by the wealthy. He also argues against extravagance, irresponsible spending, or self-indulgence, instead promoting the administration of capital during one's lifetime toward the cause of reducing the stratification between the rich and poor. Though written more than a century ago, Carnegie's words still ring true today, urging a better, more equitable world through greater social consciousness.

"Expertly reasoned and meticulously researched, Wealthy and Wise shows us how we can convert tax-deductible contributions to great reward at little or no personal risk. Rosenberg provides a detailed plan for transforming our troubled communities and improving our lives, and the lives of all Americans, by learning simple strategies for more effective giving. In addition to teaching people of all tax brackets how to cultivate constructive financial habits, this innovative guide will tell you everything you need to know to turn your philanthropic contributions into the soundest investments of all, including: how to calculate what you can realistically afford to give, and where to consider giving it; how to contribute most effectively within your own area of interest, and how to assess where your money is going; how to promote leadership locally; how to estimate your needs over short and long periods of time; how to plan bequests to your children and to charities; how to stop depriving yourself, and allay anxieties over dipping into capital, by learning a new definition of surplus money; how to diversify assets to protect financial investments; how to establish cushions against unforeseen financial problems; and how to plot your own lifelong financial statement and chart goals for personal wealth and intelligent gifting.".