"This expanded, active and result-oriented charity is a special American. David J.Skorton, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, said: "Innovation is a charity, which reflects the core values and characteristics of this country. As part of this project, the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History hosted a half-day seminar to explore the influence of philanthropy on American life. "... The Smithsonian Initiative aims to study the power and influence of various donations. It supports annual seminars and exhibitions and grants a position to the curator. On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the annual "Donation Tuesday", launch
This is a global donation boom driven by social media. Henry Tiems, the initiator of the campaign and director of No.92 Y Street, new york Community and Cultural Center, attended as one of the special guest speakers. According to Timms data, more than 40,000 organizations participated in this year, raising more than 65,438+65,438+06 million US dollars.
Facebook founder Mark? Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla? On Tuesday, Priscilla Chan celebrated the birth of their daughter Maksima and promised to donate 99% of Facebook shares. The new limited liability company worth $45 billion is called Chan Zuckerburg Initiative. Critics quickly questioned this unusual arrangement because the new entity has no non-profit status. )
In contrast, the Smithsonian charity initiative has hardly caused any controversy. However, under the witness of John L.Gray, the curator of the museum, a charitable donor is powerful. He accepted a simple relic from an American charity-a fireman's boot.
This is a worn-out handicraft, a sports sticker for muscular dystrophy, and a sign donated by firefighters in Fairfax County, Virginia, used to raise money for motorists. The crew set a national record for their charity fund-raising activities.
Gray also accepted the logo and banner of Jamie McDonald, the founder of Generosity Company, who hosted the BMoreGivesMore campaign during the "givingtheday" in 20 13 and raised 5.7 million US dollars, thus winning the title of "the most generous city" for Baltimore.
But a fireman's boots were scratched and he was worried. Now he is collecting sports stickers for muscular dystrophy. (NMAH/SI) Donations from muscular dystrophy "Boot Mending" activity (NMAH/SI) include the fire boots of professional firefighters and nurses from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Bureau and Fairfax County, as well as the signatures and T-shirts of the 20/Kloc-20 13“BMoreGivesMore "activity. (NMAH/SI) When the lights suddenly dimmed sharply, a textile protector introduced the fragile three-piece silk suit that Benjamin Franklin wore in 1778 to ensure the alliance treaty with France. This rare work of art aroused the cheers of the audience, and Gray noticed that no one had given anything except Franklin himself, which was the first time in history. Franklin, known as the father of American charity, made pioneering efforts to raise funds from all beneficiaries and helped to establish the first hospital and public subscription library in the United States.
"Franklin put forward another way of thinking about human progress, which proved to be more democratic. Gray reminded them: "Equality, creativity and resourcefulness are very similar to the new country itself. "David, co-founder and CEO of Carlyle Group and member of the Smithsonian Board of Directors? David Rubinstein later chaired a special group to study American philanthropy in the past century. He told Warren that Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Holdings, asked about the origin of the donation promise, which was made by the richest individuals and families in the world. Buffett still lives in the humble house in Omaha, Nebraska, which he bought at 1958. He explained that it was jointly developed with Bill, Melinda Gates, david rockefeller and others after the serious decline in charitable donations in 2007. At present, 139 individuals and families have signed this letter of commitment. As part of the Smithsonian charity exhibition, these promised alternate choices are on display.
The preview cases published on 20 15 12 1 include a register showing 1600 libraries funded by steel tycoon andrew carnegie. And Enoch Pinshaw, a 188 1 year-old dress designed by British fashion designer Charles Frederic Worth for philanthropist Mary. Buffett promised to donate 95% of his $64 billion assets to five charities, including Bill and Melinda? The Gates Foundation (Bill &; Melinda Gates Foundation. He described the idea behind his legacy.
"When we were in our twenties, my wife and I decided to donate all the money we didn't need. Basically, we don't think we need that much, "he said. "At first, I thought my first wife would live longer than me, and I would do' accumulation' and she would do' no struggle', but when she died first, I had to have a meaningful plan."
Buffett, 85, also made it clear that he hoped to spend all his money within 65,438+00 years after the liquidation of his estate. "I don't believe in trying to find out what the world needs," he continued.
"You won't look down at what happened, will you?" "Asked Rubenstein, he joked.
"In fact, I will check.
Rubinstein is estimated to be worth $2.8 billion. After reading an article detailing that the average life expectancy of white men is 8 1 year, he also signed a donation commitment letter.
"I realize that I have passed two-thirds of my normal life. I will either take all my money out and let the executor give it away, or give it away while I am alive." . "I realized that I earned much more money than I really needed and what my family needed, so I started the donation process."
Among the many projects he donated, he restored the Washington Monument after the earthquake, purchased a copy of "Great Exhibition in the National Archives", donated the panda habitat of the National Zoo, and carried out maintenance at Mount Vernon in George Washington and Monticello in Thomas Jefferson.
Rubinstein and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donated money to the Smithsonian's charity activities to encourage people at all levels to give back to society, and so on.
"My goal is to extend the concept of charity beyond the rich writing checks," he said. Money is not necessarily the only way to measure charity. "It may be about your energy, time, ideas or your volunteer spirit." In another panel discussion, Melinda Gates explained that she and her husband Bill had narrowed their charity focus since they set up the foundation in 2000. Bill Gates is estimated to be worth more than $79 billion.
"Warren gave us good advice very early. Find out who we are and what we care about deeply, then define our bull's-eye, and everything else will disappear. " If we don't treat lung cancer, I still feel bad, but I know others are doing the same, "Gates said.
""Another great suggestion he gave was' wielding a sword'. These are all problems left over by society, and you must take risks. Not everything will succeed. You will do something that looks silly, but it doesn't matter. You have to face these thorny problems, and I have to learn to be unforgivable. This is the most important lesson I have learned, "she added.
The Gates Foundation is concerned about global health.
Charity has always been the core of the Smithsonian Institution. The organization itself was established by individual donations. James Smithson, a British scientist, left his legacy to the United States in 1829, with the aim of "establishing an institution to promote knowledge growth and dissemination". This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Smithsonian. In addition, most of the treasures in the institution's collections are often donated.
The National Museum of American History will open its first comprehensive charity exhibition entitled "Donation in America" on February 2, 20 16. The preview case currently under discussion focuses on the Gilded Age (1870- 1900) and how philanthropy shaped civic culture today.