Why the wealthy give : the culture of elite philanthropy
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Why the wealthy give : the culture of elite philanthropy
（Princeton paperbacks）
Princeton University Press, c1995
- : pbk
Available at 9 libraries
Note
Bibliography: p. [177]-183
Includes index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Through a series of candid personal interviews with nearly one hundred donors, Why the Wealthy Give offers an in-depth look at the world of elite philanthropy. Francie Ostrower focuses on the New York City area, with its high concentration of affluent donors, to explore both the motivations of individual donors and the significance of philanthropy for the culture and organization of elite groups. In so doing, she offers an account of why the wealthy give that also provides insight into the nature of elite culture, status, identity, and cohesion. Emphasizing the diversity of philanthropy, the book also shows how and why different types of donors support different causes. It further demonstrates how, in the face of considerable change, elite philanthropy has adapted and therefore endured. A timely discussion explores the ways in which elite donors view the respective roles of government and philanthropy. Why the Wealthy Give shows that elite philanthropy involves far more than writing a check. The wealthy take philanthropy and adapt it into an entire way of life that serves as a vehicle for the social and cultural life of their class.
This is reflected in the widespread popularity of educational and cultural causes among donors. At the same time, Ostrower finds divergent patterns of giving that reflect alternative sources of donor identity, such as religion, ethnicity, and gender, and explains why certain kinds of donors are more or less likely to diverge from the prestige hierarchy of their class in their philanthropy.
Table of Contents
List of TablesAcknowledgmentsIntroduction3Ch. 1Philanthropy and Status Boundaries among the Elite28Ch. 2Religion, Ethnicity, and Jewish Philanthropy50Ch. 3Gender, Marriage, and Philanthropy69Ch. 4Education, Culture, and the Institutionalization of Philanthropic Values86Ch. 5Attitudes toward Inheritance and Philanthropic Bequests100Ch. 6Government and Philanthropy: Alternatives or Complements?113Conclusion132Methodological Appendix143Notes145Bibliography177Index185
by "Nielsen BookData"