‘Not charity, but a chance’

I read a brilliant editorial today that makes the important distinction between charity and philanthropy. It's a solid read for all of us, and God knows, the author's talent seems to ooze out of every line of his glorious prose. Enjoy.

The words charity and philanthropy have similar meanings and are often used interchangeably; however, it is the difference between the two that can have the biggest impact on someone’s life.

Charity is ingrained in our cultural fabric – we give to charity because we feel a moral or religious calling to do so. Charity is how we show our caring for people displaced by natural disaster, or our support for victims of crime or violence. Charity is the change we leave behind in the jar to help find homes for abandoned animals, or the extra dollar we contribute to help fight poverty in Africa.

Each not-for-profit company faces the challenge of distinguishing charity and philanthropy for its staff and supporters. And this challenge is not new; in 1902, the Reverend Edgar James Helms (the founder of Goodwill Industries), wrote that his organization should serve as “not charity, but a chance” for people in need.

How did Helms, and how do others provide that chance? The answer is philanthropy.Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations helped distinguish the two ideals:

"Charity seeks to provide immediate rescue and relief – it is the emotional response of our donations given to immediately respond to a disaster. Philanthropy is more focused on the long-term rebuilding, the problem-solving aspect of our society. In an educational perspective, this difference can be described in that age-old axiom of ‘I gave a person a fish and they ate for a day; I taught them how to fish, and they ate for a lifetime.’ The initial outpouring is charity; the longer-term education is philanthropy."

Whereas charity is essential to address immediate needs, philanthropy is the means by which organizations and individuals can support a long-term objective and create a legacy of change.

At YPC, philanthropy is our belief in education as life’s great equalizer. We strive to enhance university opportunities (both scholastically and financially) for Chicago high school students through our College Bound program. We support special individuals for whom access to education is the only chance to lead the type of life many of us take for granted. And we strive to provide our members with professional development opportunities to ensure that they don’t stop learning just because they may have completed a degree (or two, or three).

As young professionals, few of us can make the kind of gift that adds a wing onto a hospital or builds a new laboratory at our alma mater, but all of us can – with a little planning – utilize philanthropy to address the issues that matter to us most. The key is realizing that our philanthropic potential is not necessarily tied to our budgetary (or time) limitations.

Our philanthropy begins by opening our hearts and minds to the issues that matter most to us. Our philanthropy begins by taking action – any action – toward change. Our philanthropy begins when we realize that charity is a great beginning, but not the end of getting involved in something important.

There is a difference between charity and philanthropy – a difference that all of us can help define.

To make a charitable contribution this holiday season, YPC suggests consulting Charity Navigator to see their rankings of the most effective and efficient nonprofit organizations. Some of our favorite local charities are Chicago Cares (organizes volunteer opportunities for community groups) and Goodwill Industries of Metropolitan Chicago (provides work opportunities for people with barriers to employment).