making a philanthropist
TRANSCRIPT
Why We GiveThe Necessity of Philanthropy
1
Erasing the Myth of the Other
Erasing the Myth of the Other
Genesis 4:8-15
I am my brother’s and sister’s keeper.
Leviticus 25:23-43
What you own belongs to the Lord and is
given for the good of all.
Romans 12:4-8
We are one body, individually members one
of another.
Hebrews 10:24-25
Rouse one another to love and good works.
James 2:14-17
Our faith is dead if we ignore others in need.
1 Peter 4:8-11
Serve one another with the gifts you have
received.
A Moment to
Reflect
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social TeachingMajor Themes
Dignity of the Human Person
Belief in the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all
Catholic social teaching. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human
person is the starting point for a moral vision for society. This principle is
grounded in the idea that the person is made in the image of God. The person
is the clearest reflection of God among us.
Catholic Social TeachingMajor Themes
Rights and Responsibilities
Human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only
if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Every person has a
fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency
– starting with food, shelter and clothing, employment, health care, and
education. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities — to
one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
Catholic Social TeachingMajor Themes
Common Good and Community
The human person is both sacred and social. We realize our dignity and rights in
relationship with others, in community. Human beings grow and achieve fulfillment in
community. Human dignity can only be realized and protected in the context of
relationships with the wider society. How we organize our society — in economics and
politics, in law and policy — directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals
to grow in community. The obligation to “love our neighbor” has an individual dimension,
but it also requires a broader social commitment. Everyone has a responsibility to
contribute to the good of the whole society, to the common good.
Catholic Social TeachingMajor Themes
Option for the Poor
The moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. The poor have
the most urgent moral claim on the conscience of the nation. We are called to look at
public policy decisions in terms of how they affect the poor. The “option for the poor,” is
not an adversarial slogan that pits one group or class against another. Rather it states
that the deprivation and powerlessness of the poor wounds the whole community. The
option for the poor is an essential part of society’s effort to achieve the common good. A
healthy community can be achieved only if its members give special attention to those
with special needs, to those who are poor and on the margins of society.
Philanthropic Personalities
1. Communitarians: Give because they want
their community to benefit.
2. Devout: Give out of devotion to God or a
particular cause or group.
3. Investors: Want a return on investment and
will want to see deliveries, metrics, etc.
4. Socialites: Contribute in public where they
can be seen with the right people and where
they might get public recognition.
5. Altruists: give because it’s just the right thing to
do. Aligned with values.
6. Repayers: Contribute to organizations that have
benefitted them or someone they care about.
(Hospitals, Schools)
7. Dynasts: Come from families in which
philanthropy has been practiced for generations.
Philanthropic Personalities
GIVING IS
SELFISH
Benefits of Giving
Intrinsic• Activate the reward center in your
brain
• Improve life satisfaction
• Feel happier
• Improve key health measurements
• Reduce stress
• Increase your community standing
• Tax Benefit
Altruistic• Protect your local
community
• Induce Civic
Engagement
• Improve Morale
Benefits of Giving
Research has indicated that the people who spend the most time
thinking about charitable giving are actually the least likely to give.
Impulse giving can bring wonderful benefits to your mind, body, and
community.
You’re not only benefiting the well-being of those you give to, you’re
benefiting your own as well.
To Give or Not To Give
Giving
PRO
● Physical Benefits
●
CON
● Limited resources means you have to choose
●
Not Giving
PRO
● Easy
●
CON
● Set a bad example for others
●
A Practice in Mindfulness
Next Time : The Anatomy of a Fundraiser
Think about and note the following
• Beneficiary (who are you helping)
• Purpose (what help do they need)
• Goal (what you need to provide the help)
• Plan (how are you going to get what you need?)
