Faith and Family Philanthropy

According to the 2012 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy, 43 percent of the households they surveyed said they make more charitable contributions during the holiday season (October to December) than during the rest of the year. What are the connections between the holidays and family giving? How do …

For most families, December is a time for observing traditions, many of which are grounded in our various faiths and cultures. Philanthropy is both a tenet and an expression of those traditions. In this teleconference, Ambassador James Joseph will help listeners understand how benevolent traditions have transformed our national life. …

Why does someone give to others? When the motive for giving is based largely or entirely on the donor's faith, the result can be an engagement of purpose, process, emotion, and spirit in a powerfully meaningful endeavor.

A family’s journey toward faith-directed philanthropy can begin with a single step — a look at the family’s own values, motives, and traditions. The family might first look into the mirror of history and tradition, says James A. Joseph in this introductory essay, “Building a Foundation for Faith and …

Long accustomed to the excesses of the robber barons of industry, the American public was startled in 1889 when one of the wealthiest men in the nation — and in the world — issued his great manifesto, “The Gospel of Wealth.” Powerfully influenced by his strict Scottish Presbyterian heritage, Andrew Carnegie urged rich …

What are the relationships between faith and wealth, on the one hand, and faith and giving, on the other? This essay from 'Faith and Family Philanthropy' will help families address the important links between their faith, spirituality, and philanthropy and serve as an educational tool for wealth advisors to use …

Do religious organizations have the spiritual authority to challenge congregants to lead more generous lives? In the religious context, is charitable giving more than a financial matter? This case study from 'Faith and Family Philanthropy' suggests that giving is an emotional and spiritual practice that, over the course of a …

How can families of faith draw on congregational worship to find outlets for their charitable giving and how can donor families use congregational worship to instill charitable values in their children? This chapter from ‘Faith and Family Philanthropy’ describes how experiences in congregational worship provide powerful motivations for family giving …

This case study from ‘Faith and Family Philanthropy’ explores the role and impact of the Coptic Christian church on family philanthropy. Church and Coptic families often encourage even the youngest children to consider charity a central element in their lives. The Mansour family, profiled here, established a family tradition that …

The faith, life, and civic contributions of the late James Erskine Love, Jr., and his family are true examples of how faith and philanthropy often intersect. Many facets of James Erskine Love’s life speak to the relationship of faith to action, of values to life, and of the consistency …

This account from 'Faith and Family Philanthropy' describes the stories of sisters Betty and Jean Fairfax. Born and raised in modest circumstances in Cleveland, the Fairfaxes were steeped in strong family and religious values. Those values shaped their attitudes toward life, shattering the stereotypical notion of African-American philanthropy.

This case study from ‘Faith and Family Philanthropy’ describes the of Mohammed Murtaza Arain, M.D., a well-respected Chicago surgeon. For Dr. Arain and his family, it all begins and ends with the Qur’an. Whether welcoming the new day or making decisions about his personal philanthropy, the Holy Qur’…

This personal account from ‘Faith and Family Philanthropy’ describes the fascinating journey that the author and her husband took in discovering their own faith while rediscovering their family roots and Hebric religious traditions. ‘Jewish law dictates that if there is a choice between assisting members of your family and helping …

This profile from NCFP's 'Faith and Family Philanthropy' journal describes that late philanthropist Alan B. Slifka's faith-based mission and efforts to teach and support Israeli Arabs and Jews to be respectful neighbors.

Native Americans now live both with change and tradition in many areas of their lives, including giving practices. Sharing and exchanging gifts are scarcely new to Native Americans; personalized giving is bedrock to their culture. For many, however, large scale, institutional, formalized philanthropy is a new concept, as described in …

It could be any city in America, but it’s Memphis, not long ago rated the poorest major city in the nation. A nonprofit organization, the Church Health Center, stands as an example of the kind of work that faith-based and faith-supported organizations can do.

Catholic family foundations have organized into a donor group that provides highly motivated, carefully directed giving to nurture and revitalize Catholicism in the U.S. and worldwide. This overview from 'Faith and Family Philanthropy' features a brief history of Catholic philanthropy, and a discussion of the current challenges and opportunities …