“Four Traditions of Philanthropy”

1. “Four Traditions of Philanthropy” E. Lynn & S. Wisely

2. Different Visions of Human Connectedness • Philanthropy as Relief • Philanthropy as Improvement • Philanthropy as Social Reform • Philanthropy as Civic Engagement

3. Philanthropy as Relief • “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day.” • Alleviates human suffering • Charity, caritas (other-regarding love) • We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves by serving them • Weakness: Fails to address the causes of suffering

4. Philanthropy of Improvement: • “Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.” • Maximizes human potential • Provides opportunities for individual and civic improvement • Andrew Carnegie (“The Gospel of Wealth” teaches the proper administration of wealth by providing opportunities to maximize human potential) • Weakness: many blocked from taking advantage of these opportunities due to legal, social, or economic circumstances.

5. Philanthropy as Social Reform • Devoted to changing the circumstances that block individuals from taking advantage of opportunities • Actively identify and solve public problems by funding and forming national commissions • Weakness: becomes a kind of shadow government failing to listen to the public

6. Philanthropy as Civic Engagement • Provide resources for building community; establishing relationships/connections between citizens and between citizens and the foundation to relieve, improve and reform. • Jane Addams’ Hull House (Video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw4GZeABlNI • Community Leadership Dialogue http://civicreflection.org/about/mission/

7. In-Class Workshop • Read the poem by Bertolt Brecht “A Bed for the Night” in (CER p.208) and answer the following: • 1. What tradition of philanthropy is the narrator describing in the poem? • 2. What do you think the narrator’s position towards philanthropy is in this poem? • 3. Why does the man in the poem solicit help for the homeless by standing outside in the winter weather? • 4. Who do you identify with most in the poem—the man on the street, the narrator, the passersby, or the homeless? Why?

8. “A Bed For the Night”Bertolt Brecht • I hear that in New YorkAt the corner of 26th Street and BroadwayA man stands every evening during the winter monthsAnd gets beds for the homeless thereBy appealing to passers-by. • It won’t change the worldIt won’t improve relations among menIt will not shorten the age of exploitationBut a few men have a bed for the nightFor a night the wind is kept from themThe snow meant for them falls on the roadway. • Don`t put down the book on reading this, man. • A few people have a bed for the nightFor a night the wind is kept from themThe snow meant for them falls on the roadwayBut it won’t change the worldIt won’t improve relations among menIt will not shorten the age of exploitation.