Why the wealthy give : the culture of elite philanthropy / Francie Ostrower.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ostrower, Francie.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Philanthropists--New York (State)--New York.

Philanthropists.

Charities--New York (State)--New York.

Charities.

Voluntarism--New York (State)--New York.

Voluntarism.

Elite (Social sciences)--New York (State)--New York.

Elite (Social sciences).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (203 p.)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, c1995.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Front matter

CONTENTS

TABLES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE. Philanthropy and Status Boundaries among the Elite

CHAPTER TWO. Religion, Ethnicity, and Jewish Philanthropy

CHAPTER THREE. Gender, Marriage, and Philanthropy

CHAPTER FOUR. Education, Culture, and the Institutionalization of Philanthropic Values

CHAPTER FIVE. Attitudes toward Inheritance and Philanthropic Bequests

CHAPTER SIX. Government and Philanthropy: Alternatives or Complements?

CONCLUSION

METHODOLOGICAL APPENDIX

NOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [177]-183) and index.

ISBN:

9786612752353

9781400805990

1400805996

9781400806010

1400806011

9781282752351

1282752359

9781400821853

1400821851

9781400812912

1400812917

OCLC:

700688665