What Is Philanthropy?

Both a primer about the meaning of philanthropy and a general call to voluntary service for others, this documentary by Salvatore Alaimo, who teaches at Michigan's Grand Valley State University, seeks to move beyond the notion that philanthropy merely refers to donating money to particular causes, expanding the definition to broader terms suggested by the word's Greek root of “love of mankind.” While not ignoring the role of large and small foundations in providing funding to artistic and social endeavors of special interest to their founders (interviewees appear here from the worlds of business, the arts, and sports), What Is Philanthropy? sees evidence of the philanthropic spirit in any activities where people give their time and energy, whether volunteer programs or activist movements such as the struggle for civil rights in the 1960s. While investigating the varied motives, religious or practical, that can lie behind philanthropic efforts, the film not does ignore the potentially negative aspects of “doing good,” such as a sense of paternalism, a desire to promote one's own reputation, and an unequal distribution of resources among many worthy causes—let alone the unethical practices of some nonprofits. Although technically rather homespun, What Is Philanthropy? could certainly be effectively employed in courses dealing with social responsibility (or nonprofit management), but also might well appeal to more casual viewers. Extras include an interview with Alaimo, and featurettes on philanthropy's impact, money-raising, and a tribute to Robert Payton, who was a pioneering professor of philanthropic studies at Indiana University. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)