I bumped into a cynically humorous post about charitable giving and its effects. It reminded me of a slim but instructional book that concludes with the sage observation: humility is a virtue, pride is a sin, and . . . arrogant philanthropy can wreak havoc.

But let us start with the cynical humor.

Save Bubekhar begins with a copy of a note that accompanies an apparently well-meaning gift of $1,000 from one Emory Holloway sent to the Save Bubekhar Foundation.

After a thank you note in reply from Save Bubekhar’s chairwoman, Mimsy Johnson, we get to read the note of Chester Shibalance that accompanies his check for $3,000. Shibilance raises concerns about the moral character and purpose of Holloway.

Following some additional interplay between Holloway, Shibilance and Johnson, enter Roger Tintabaum . . . with a gift of $10,000 he is donating “on behalf of [his] church, Our Weeping Lady of Righteousness . . . to inoculate the children, minister to the sick, and spread the word of Jesus Christ through the use of Catholic relief workers.”

Sadly, by the end of the correspondence, about a dozen letters later, we have been observers of mayhem, death and destruction brought about directly as a result of what we may hope were the originally well-intended gifts of Shibilance, Holloway and Tintabaum. Ms. Johnson eventually has to write letters to both Holloway and Shibilance that their behavior vis-a-vis the Bubekharians has been wholly counterproductive.

Do you realize that, prior to either of your involvement, the villages of Bubekhar enjoyed hundreds of years of peace? I am making no allegations, but I’m sure you can understand why I must relay the decision of the Save Bubekhar Foundation to no longer accept donations from either of you.

Following a death threat from at least one of the now rejected donors, we get to read one final letter from Ms. Johnson:

Dear Bubekhar Foundation Members:

Please accept this letter of resignation. Although the images on the television, and the international backlash that has ensued, are difficult to argue with, imperialism was never the goal of my post. I take no pride in the hotel resorts being erected along the eastern shoreline. I take no zeal that the land leased to the mining and oil companies will soon be discarded of its minerals. I only hoped to provide the necessities—shelter, food, healthcare—and to see that the greater good was achieved. In certain ways I believe I met my goals, as do many of our non-profit peers. Which is why I have been asked to join the Save Meka-Meka Foundation, which supports a peaceful people in the tropical region of the French West Indies who are in need of healthcare and modernization (see enclosed pictures). Due to personal and professional reasons, I shall provide no forwarding address.

Fondly,
Mimsy Johnson
Chairwoman, Save Meka-Meka Foundation

Somehow, this depressing fictional correspondence reminded me of a book my daughter urged me to read: Great Philanthropic Mistakes by Martin Morse Wooster, a collection of highly cautionary tales about the hubris of too many philanthropists’ dreams.

It is too easy to think we can change the world by our money, our work, and our wise planning and find all our efforts turned to dust . . . or worse.

Wooster shows the assumption of beneficial results proves false far more often than we might like to admit. And it can be false even–or especially (?)–for very large donors such as those whose failed efforts he highlights in his book: The Rockefeller Foundation’s attempt to transform American medical education (1913-28); The Albert & Mary Lasker Foundation’s attempt to “win the ‘war on cancer’” (1944-76); The Rockefeller and Ford foundations’ attempt to curb birthrates worldwide (1952-81); The Annenberg Foundation’s attempt to reform public schools around the United States (1993-2001); and several more.

What does Wooster expect readers to take away from his book?

Let me quote from the conclusion. It’s a simple message, really. (Though you should read the book to get the full impact of what he is really talking about in practice.)

The solution to philanthropic arrogance is. . . humility. . . .

Humble foundations do a better job at finding and funding “germinal ideas” than arrogant ones. Humble foundations have program officers who approach social problems using methods like those of reporters. They listen to what . . . people need rather than assume they can use their fortunes to order [them] to do what they say. They allow their program officers time to continue original research–and attend professional meetings as colleagues rather than as mandarins.

Humble foundations also recognize the virtues of anonymity. . . . humble foundations realize they should give not because they wish to gain power and privilege or ensure a ceaseless supply of flattering articles but because generosity is a virtue and the right way to live. . . .

Humble foundations know that they cannot use their wealth to reshape society. A donor who wishes to change the lives of more than a thousand people with a single grant . . ought to question what he is doing. . . . [T]he lives of great philanthropists provide constructive examples. Andrew Carnegie, for example, did not want your program to increase American reading levels. He gave thousands of grants to libraries–and made sure his funds were matched by communities who wanted the library and were willing to sacrifice to ensure that the library was built. Julius Rosenwald pursued a similar strategy in constructing schools for poor African-Americans in the South. Again, Rosenwald offered thousands of small grants rather than a few large ones–and made sure that recipients of his aid also supplied part of the money.

Last, humble philanthropists give themselves the freedom to make mistakes, and they listen to subordinates before making decisions. . . .

Humility is a virtue, and pride is a sin. If more donors and program officers recognized this, they would be less arrogant and would learn the lesson these case studies provide.

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