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?…

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 Family…

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…

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 of…

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’an provides a…

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.

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.