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Kayla Broughton

Professor Tyrone Freeman

PHST-P450

20 March 2017

What is Philanthropic Studies and Why Study It?

Philanthropy, defined as voluntary action for the public good (Payton & Moody, 2008,

p. 6) and marked by a history of informal charity and scientific giving, is now being examined

under the multi-faceted term, Philanthropic Studies. Philanthropic Studies journey to

acceptance as an academic field began with Merle Curtis acknowledgement of philanthropy as

an impactful and important segment of American culture (1957). Many other scholars followed,

realizing the importance of studying philanthropy (Dobkin Hall 1999). Through these scholars

research, Philanthropic Studies can be defined as the multi-disciplinary examination of moral

action as a reflection of our society. As a multi-disciplinary study, Philanthropic Studies fosters

deeper comprehension of the societal implications of giving, and develops perspectives and skills

essential for the effective personal and professional practice of philanthropy.

When considering the proposed definition of Philanthropic Studies, it is vital to define

moral action. Payton and Moody argue that the philanthropic sector

is often the place where new causes, new expressions of values, and innovative new

solutions to social problems are first introduced [] and so philanthropy deals with the

whole gamut of the most important moral issues and debates confronting society (2008,

p. 97).

It is understood that solving moral issues is an outward act motivated by values. This is moral

action. Payton and Moody further contend that to act morally is to act in regard to and for

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others, beyond ones concern for oneself, particularly when that action is voluntary (97).

Voluntary action for the public good, the definition of philanthropy, is a moral act; thus,

philanthropy is moral action.

To interpret philanthropy as moral action, Philanthropic Studies takes a humanities-based

approach. Richard Turner reinforces that the concern and respect for the distinctive features,

values, and traditions of disparate peoples and cultures, in Saids terms, marks Philanthropic

Studies as a humanities activity (2004, p. 2085). Turner argues that Philanthropic Studies

focuses on humans relieving suffering and making the world a better place, an other-oriented

approach to human activity (2085). This alignment of the humanities with Payton and Moodys

claim of moral action as concern beyond oneself concludes the argument that philanthropy is

moral action, while Philanthropic Studies is the understanding of this concept.

As a humanities field, Philanthropic Studies challenges individuals to self-reflect on their

civic actions through various lenses including history, economics, and sociology. This self-

reflection allows individuals to explore how they see their actions contributing to the greater

good. Turner writes that Philanthropic Studies rises to a level of generality greater than other

humanities disciplines because its area and its aspirations move beyond self-knowledge to the

critique of how self-knowledge should apply to the welfare of society in general (2085). By

utilizing a variety of perspectives, individuals are able to critique their own philanthropic actions

by asking the right questions and applying those answers to their work, resulting in the

promotion of the public good.

When looking at philanthropy through a historic lens, it is evident that philanthropy plays

both an acting role on society, at the same time as being shaped by society. The examination of

this philanthropic relationship, from a historic perspective, falls under Philanthropic Studies. For

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example, by utilizing the historic lens, philanthropy is seen being shaped by society in the

settlement house movement. This movement resulted from mass immigration to the United

States between 1850 and 1910 (Sievers, 2010, p. 95). During this time, settlement houses

provided social services and sanctuary to immigrants. With the rise in the number of people in

need came an increase in the number of organizations and settlement houses. Soon, efficiency

became valued and scientific philanthropy, with its focus on eradicating the causes of social

problems rather than simply alleviating suffering in the moment, was a common practice. This

demonstrates how philanthropy is influenced by society. The settlement house movement

transformed charity into scientific philanthropy to pursue a different vision for addressing social

needs and improving society.

Philanthropy is not always the bystander. Like previously stated, philanthropy is an actor

in shaping society. Andrew Carnegie exemplifies this capability. Carnegie believed in the benefit

of libraries to society. He wrote, The best means of benefiting the community is to place within

its reach the ladders upon which the aspiring can risefree libraries, parks, and means of

recreation, by which men are helped in body and mind (Carnegie, 1889, p. 10). Because of his

belief in knowledge, Carnegie actively funded public libraries across the country, many still

standing. Without Carnegies philanthropy, public libraries may not exist today, a staple piece in

our society.

Utilizing Philanthropic Studies to identify active and inactive philanthropy in history

fosters an understanding of the implications of moral action in society. Curti questions:

Quite apart from any bearing a larger knowledge of the history of philanthropy may

have on a clearer understanding of various problems currently associated with it, who can

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doubt that the character and dimensions of American civilization may be illuminated by

sustained inquiries into American experience in giving? (1957, p. 363).

Societys influence on philanthropy contributes to the explanation of scientific philanthropy and

social movements while philanthropys effect on society presents the realization that

philanthropy has influential power, a power that must be studied to avoid destructive behavior.

The community of Indianapolis is a prime example of the power in philanthropy today.

With the assistance of philanthropic dollars from organizations such as the Lilly Endowment and

the Super Bowl, neighborhoods across the city are redeveloping rapidly. St. Clair Place has gone

from a blighted, crime-ridden area, to a safer community with active residents. Although on the

surface, this appears positive, many residents have been forced to move out of their

neighborhoods in search of more affordable housing due to an increase in market rates. Because

of societal barriers, these residents are overwhelmingly people of color. Thus, Indianapolis

neighborhoods are gentrifying and becoming segregated, in part, due to philanthropic dollars.

Having the knowledge of Carnegies influence on society allows us to conclude that donors such

as the Lilly Endowment and the Super Bowl can have a lasting impact on Indianapolis; it just

may not be the positive change they were hoping for. Being able to utilize historical contexts to

critique modern philanthropy can give warning to philanthropic mishaps and improve

philanthropy as a whole. Through Philanthropic Studies, individuals are enabled to utilize its

various lenses to analyze the unintended implications of philanthropy through asking thoughtful,

reflective questions. This meta-analysis is key in Philanthropic Studies.

The historical lens is just one of many important perspectives Philanthropic Studies

applies to understanding philanthropy from a multi-disciplinary outlook. Analyzing philanthropy

from a sociological lens allows fundraisers to better understand the motivations of donors; the

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economics lens explains the tax strategy behind the philanthropic sector; and the governmental

lens defines the relationship between the nonprofit and public sectors. Looking at philanthropy

from simply one perspective hinders the understanding and growth of philanthropy as a field,

thus why Philanthropic Studies multi-disciplinary approach is important. Turner disputes that

Philanthropic Studies can be a field that stands on its own, but he acknowledges the issue,

arguing,

The problems with that assumption arise from the complex relations that Philanthropic

Studies has with its constituent practitioners, most of whom operate from and through

discrete disciplines and this history of interdisciplinarity will continue to shape work in

Philanthropic Studies even as the field develops an independent and distinctive

characteristic of its own (2084).

Philanthropic Studies does benefit from diverse perspectives, yet as the field grows and further

establishes itself, Philanthropic Studies will be defined as its own, unique field, created through

multiple disciplines.

As research emerges on the sector, the field of Philanthropic Studies encourages new

scholars. Important strides have been made in further establishing the field of Philanthropic

Studies through the creation of the Center on Philanthropy, now the Indiana University Lilly

Family School of Philanthropy. The school, inaugurated in 2013, offers Bachelors, Masters, and

PhD programs in Philanthropic Studies. By pursuing a degree in Philanthropic Studies, students

receive expertise on and the ability to critique philanthropy from a unique perspective. Courses,

based in history, economics, philosophy, humanities, and more, foster well-rounded students that

are able to critically think within an organization, as well as strategize on the organizations place

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in the field. Philanthropic Studies students have a broader, deeper perspective of philanthropy

than basic day-to-day administrative tasks.

Creating graduates of Philanthropic Studies further develops the field of Philanthropic

Studies, which, in turn, professionalizes and improves philanthropy as a whole. Through

critically examining and understanding philanthropy, graduates are able to reflect on their

own moral action as a contribution to the public good through diverse perspectives, resulting

in thoughtful and critical analysis of philanthropy. These skills foster professionalization of

philanthropy through examination and support, teaching graduates to avoid negative social

implications of philanthropy. Through Philanthropic Studies, graduates help improve

philanthropy, thus improving society the core foundation of Philanthropic Studies.

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Works Cited

Carnegie, Andrew. "The Problem of the Administration of Wealth." The Gospel of Wealth. 1-11.

Print.

Curti, Merle. "The History of American Philanthropy as a Field of Research." The American

Historical Review 62.2 (1957): 352-63. Print.

Hall, Peter Dobkins. "The Work of Many Hands: A Response to Stanley N. Katz on the Origins

of the "Serious Study" of Philanthropy." Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly 28.4

(1999): 520-34. Print.

Payton, Robert L., and Michael P. Moody. "Understanding Philanthropy: Its Meaning and

Mission." (2008): 6-130. Print.

Turner, Richard C. "Philanthropic Studies as a Central and Centering Discipline in the

Humanities." International Journal of the Humanities 2.3 (2004): 2083-086. Print.

Sievers, Bruce R. "Civil Society in America." Civil Society, Philanthropy, and the Fate of the

Commons. Medford, MA: Tufts UP, 2010. 84-106. Print.