Читать книгу Achieving Excellence in Fundraising - Группа авторов - Страница 134

The recent social climate has been characterized by widespread dissatisfaction. The persistent and unresolved issues of healthcare, education, poverty, greater inequalities, and racism have refocused the attention of American society. Philanthropy has been both challenged by and responsive to these issues.

Philanthropy has historically been associated with wealth of key individuals like Carnegie and Rockefeller from the Industrial Revolution or Gates and Bezos of the tech revolution. However, philanthropic action has been carried out in a multitude of ways by diverse members of society from the earliest days. Individuals crossing color or ethnic lines to save others from drowning or fire. Women raising funds for mining families, for illnesses such as tuberculosis, or for basic school supplies for classrooms. Minority veterans, doctors, and community members raising money for basic healthcare for their communities. These examples demonstrate that philanthropy has engaged individuals at all levels of society who have given “time, money and moral concern to benefit others” (Moniz 2020, para 5).

Individuals across the country and around the world are envisioning new ways of expressing generosity and care for others. Fundraisers can look at this as an opportunity to include these diverse communities and philanthropic practices in their own approaches for support.