Why the Wealthy Give: The Culture of Elite Philanthropy

by Francie Ostrower

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691015880
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	04/22/1997
Series:	Princeton Paperbacks Series
Edition description:	Revised ed.
Pages:	203
Product dimensions:	7.75(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Francie Ostrower is Associate Professor of Sociology at Harvard University.

Table of Contents

List of Tables

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Ch. 1 Philanthropy and Status Boundaries among the Elite

Ch. 2 Religion, Ethnicity, and Jewish Philanthropy

Ch. 3 Gender, Marriage, and Philanthropy

Ch. 4 Education, Culture, and the Institutionalization of Philanthropic Values

Ch. 5 Attitudes toward Inheritance and Philanthropic Bequests

Ch. 6 Government and Philanthropy: Alternatives or Complements?

Conclusion

Methodological Appendix

Notes

Bibliography

Index

What People are Saying About This

Paul DiMaggio

A milestone in the study of giving. . .Casts fresh light on aspects of donors' philanthropic careers and motivations.
— Paul DiMaggio, Princeton University

From the Publisher

"I have found Why the Wealthy Give fascinating reading. Anyone involved in philanthropic foundations should read this book."—Brooke Astor

"A milestone in the study of giving. . .Casts fresh light on aspects of donors' philanthropic careers and motivations."—Paul DiMaggio, Princeton University

Brooke Astor

I have found Why the Wealthy Give fascinating reading. Anyone involved in philanthropic foundations should read this book.

Editorial Reviews

"This superb book will be required reading for scholars, fundraisers, nonprofit administrators, trustees, and anyone who is interested in the lives of the wealthy and well-born."

Kathleen McCarthy

Winner of the 1996 Virginia A. Hodgkinson Research Prize, Independent Sector

Co-Winner of the 1996 ARNOVA Award for a Distinguished Book in Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Research

From the Publisher

"Ostrower's book is one of the finest pieces of social science research to emerge from the new academic field of philanthropic studies. . . . This important book demonstrates that the most professionally rigorous forms of social science analysis can be presented in lucid prose and easily comprehended ideas."

Choice