Bolder Giving Archives - Margaret May

Ask Margaret: What Color is Your Abundant Heart?

Q: Does your heart follow philosopher Thomas Hobbes? A: Philosopher Hobbes defined philanthropy as "desire of good to another, benevolence, good will, charity, good nature." Yet despite these words, Hobbes had difficulty thinking anyone who was a philanthropist did so except to "enhance the esteem or 'honor' in which he was held in the community or to promote his own security and power." Q: Perhaps you believe the words of Thomas Browne? A: Browne, an English physician who is credited with the expression "charity begins at home," believed that charity required both cool-headedness and humility. Q: Do your deeds follow in the footsteps of Andrew Carnegie? A: Carnegie expressed in his 1889 essay Wealth, which later became known as The Gospel of Wealth, [...]

Philanthropy: Big, Bold and Beautiful Giving

“To give away money is an easy matter and in anyone’s power. But to decide whom to give it and how large and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every person’s power- nor an easy matter. Hence it is that such excellence is rare, praiseworthy and noble.” – Aristotle “Big, Bold, Beautiful” are the three new B’s in philanthropy. And one can participate in many ways. The rich and famous, such as Paul Allen, Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet and David Rockefeller (and the rich and soon-to-be famous for their generosity) are getting on board through “The Giving Pledge.” It’s a moral commitment to give the majority of their wealth to the philanthropic causes and charitable [...]