Schervish on wealth transfer and philanthropy
Boston CollegeSociologist Paul G. Schervish is one of the country’s prominent scholars ofphilanthropic studies. This August Schervish will be recognized for hiscontributions and presented with the 2013 ASA Distinguished CareerAward.
Much ofSchervish’s research relates to wealth transfer and philanthropy. In 2003, Schervishhelped to found the Wealth & Giving Forum, a “peer-centered endeavor” designedto encourage wealthy families and individuals to “make more resources availablefor good causes.” The Wealth & Giving Forum seems to have adopted a “withgreat wealth comes great responsibility” approach to charitable solicitationand giving.
The structureof the Wealth & Giving Forum offers an interesting way for people toconsider charitable giving in a very particular context. A brochure of theWealth & Giving Forum explains, “The Wealth& Giving Forum is for high-net-worth individuals and families who want toharness their creativity and resources to meet the human, cultural, andenvironmental challenges of the 21st century.” Additionally, the Wealth & Giving Forum is “directed byand for wealth holders” and it operates by “invitation-only gatherings, regional and topical programs, and publications.”
Is there anything alarming about the exclusivity ofthe Wealth & GivingForum’s approach? If so, is the exclusivity offset by the benefits derived fromthe Wealth & Giving Forum?
http://www.wealthandgiving.org/
http://www.wealthandgiving.org/uploads/WGF%20Oct%2004,%20full%20brochure.pdf
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