‘Begging’ Squelches the Charitable Impulse

To the Editor:

Scholars who study charitable giving say that the “philanthropic impulse” of Americans surpasses that of other affluent countries. We donate, on average, 1.2 percent of our gross income each year — a percentage much greater than that of France (0.15 percent) or Germany (0.30 percent), for example.

In 1997, philanthropic contributions from all sources (individuals, foundations, corporations, and bequests) totaled $143.5-billion. Each year the total increases. If the trend continues, donors in 1999 may well have contributed as much as $175-billion.

But maybe not, and here is why. The allure of our spectacular economic whirlwind has many non-profit organization fund raisers in a feeding frenzy for the surfeit of cash and fungible goods that swirls around us.

Mendicity — begging, I call it — in the form of multiple solicitations is practiced by all too many non-profit groups. It replaces a single sympathetic response for support, and is the source of donor displeasure.

In the past 12 months, I received 204 solicitation letters: food banks sent 28; cancer groups, 19; Catholic charities, 17; animal causes, 13; cystic fibrosis groups, 13; arthritis groups, 11; and 9 each came from veterans’ organizations, colleges and universities, and children’s medical-care organizations. Multiple mailings were sent by 11 other non-profit groups. Eighteen sent single solicitations. Among them were Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, Southwest Indian Foundation, Friends Committee on National Legislation, and our local fire department.

Perhaps you didn’t receive 204 solicitation letters this year, but you probably came close to that number. Mendicity — begging, if you will — diminishes our philanthropic impulse and, in turn, demeans the vital work that non-profit organizations do.

The word “philanthropy” derives from the Greek words “phil” (love) and “anthropos” (man). The philanthropic impulse, when free from unwelcome solicitation, stimulates charitable behavior and defines how we show our love for humankind.

Robert F. Carbone
Professor Emeritus
University of Maryland
College Park, Md.