Author: Lang, Harlan F.

Publication Year: 1970

Media Type: Report

Summary:

This book covers all types of giving to all sectors. The following information is from the chapter on giving to arts, culture and humanities. In separating giving to civic and cultural causes into two categories for the first time, the most difficult problem appeared to be the breakdown in who got the contributions. But as we proceeded, it became apparent that definition of terms proved the most complicated. We now have three categories - civic, the arts, and humanities or culture.

Abstract:

This book covers all types of giving to all sectors. The following information is from the chapter on giving to arts, culture and humanities. In separating giving to civic and cultural causes into two categories for the first time, the most difficult problem appeared to be the breakdown in who got the contributions. But as we proceeded, it became apparent that definition of terms proved the most complicated. We now have three categories - civic, the arts, and humanities or culture. Civic programs include not only giving for parks and other civic projects, for improving local government, but aso historical preservation and conservation purposes. When it came to defining the arts, a grey area appeared which is best described by the programs covered by the National Endowment for the Humanities - language, history, social sciences, literature, philosophy, archeology, etc. Because of its newness and its unorganized activity compared to other areas of philanthropy, we have relegated it to other in our recipient category. This leaves giving to the arts.

Again, we were confronted with various areas. We have relied upon the National Endowment for the Arts for definition. The most obvious cultural causes and those which receive the most in contributions are museums, orchestras, opera, theatres, and dance. These probably get three-quarters of the funds to the arts. They are written about more, and more is known about their efforts than all the other areas combined. And they are better organized to raise funds. However, only the well established can make this claim. For example, there are several thousand museums that little is known about. Such peripheral groups somehow survive, especially those in the performing arts. But until they develop better business practices many will struggle and die off, being replaced by similar groups trying to stimulate local interest in the arts. Other areas of giving to the arts include: creative writing, architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, film and graphic arts. We will concentrate our coverage of the 4 main sources of philanthropy - foundations, corporations, individuals and bequests - as they assist museums, orchestras, theatres, opera and dance. Because of the increased activity in the past two years and the traceable trend for more dollars in large gifts to go to the arts, we project a 3 percent increase to $550 million for the arts in 1970. Much of this is accountable, but gifts in kind by individuals and corporations are estimated at about one third of this total. (p. 48-49, 51).

CONTENTS
The philanthropic picture:
     The donors and the recipients.
     Volunteers.

Sources of philanthropy:
     Individuals.
     Bequests.
     Foundation giving.
     Community foundations.
     Corporate giving.
     Canadian giving.

Areas of philanthropic opportunity:
     Giving to religion:
          Church Membership.
     Giving to education:
          The educational population.
          Philanthropy for education.
          Independent secondary schools.
     Giving to health and hospitals:
          The cost of health care.
          Hospitals.
          Philanthropy for health.
     Giving to human resources.
     Giving to the arts.
     Giving to civic causes.
     Giving to foreign aid.
     Organizations related to philanthropy.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Fundraising