In the award-winning documentary, What is Philanthropy?, Salvatore Alaimo explores and analyzes the history and meaning
of "giving"—what and why we give. Alaimo--a professor at the school
of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration at Grand Valley State University (Grand Rapids, Michigan)--sheds light and dispels
myths surrounding the idea of charitable giving. The film demonstrates how
philanthropy is not just about donating money, nor does it solely apply to the
wealthy. In fact, in the USA, lower and middle-income earners actually give the
most to charity as philanthropy is also about giving time, volunteering and advocating
for social change.
A wide-range of information is presented through
Alaimo's lens depicting the role of how the federal government, the states, the private
sector and individual citizens engage in philanthropy and how philanthropy touches
everyday lives. The film offers a historical perspective of how, over the
course of centuries, people--from Benjamin Franklin to Andrew Carnegie, among
others--have pursued philanthropic causes. Interspersed throughout are interviews
with learned scholars, academics, civil rights leaders, politicians and religious charity chairpersons from Judaic,
Christian and Muslim backgrounds who offer their own insights, research and
opinions about the role philanthropy has--and continues to--play in society at
large. Also included are interviews with notables in current American culture
who have used public platforms to promote larger philanthropic causes such as
Estee Lauder and her work with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; environmentalist
Nell Newman--the daughter of Academy Award-winner, Paul Newman--and how
her foundation, Newman's Own products, advocates for organic, sustainable
agriculture; and NFL quarterback Alex Smith and how his foundation provides
foster teens with resources and support as they transition into adulthood.
Alaimo highlights those who work selflessly to
promote causes such as Angel Flight, an organization where private pilots transport patients for medical care and treatments, and the
efforts of people like Derreck Kayongo, a Uganda native, who started the Global Soap Project in the US, which collects used soap bars from American hotels and
reprocesses them for shipment to impoverished nations such as Haiti, Uganda,
Kenya and Swaziland.
The most heartfelt aspects of the documentary
showcase how smaller philanthropic foundations are often established after a
person has suffered a deeply personal struggle and loss such as the Josie King Foundation, which advocates for a culture of patient medical safety. This foundation was
established by the parents of Josie King in an effort to combat their personal
grief after losing their 18-month-old to medical errors on February 22, 2001. Rounding
out the film are moving stories of individuals who participate in giving via the
likes of sewing circles and those who donate blood, platelets and even breast
milk to charitable causes.
Along the way, Alaimo cleverly ties in clips from
contemporary TV programs and movies to the theme of philanthropy. A portion of
the film also depicts how social activism--including the pursuits of American
Indians, the disabled, Gay Pride, Occupy Wall Street, voting rights, the death
penalty and healthcare--also falls under the umbrella of philanthropy.
What is Philanthropy? is well-balanced, lively and informative and is sure
to stimulate lively debate, discussion and reflection for those--academics,
students and social activists--who wish to more thoroughly understand the
history and ideas of philanthropic "giving" in its many unique forms.
What is Philanthropy? a documentary (written/produced/directed) by Salvatore Alaimo
86 minutes; DVD $15.99; Blu-Ray $22.99
Distributed by Indiana University Press ( www.iupress.indiana.edu )
Also available via Amazon.com - link HERE
What is Philanthropy? a documentary (written/produced/directed) by Salvatore Alaimo
86 minutes; DVD $15.99; Blu-Ray $22.99
Distributed by Indiana University Press ( www.iupress.indiana.edu )
Also available via Amazon.com - link HERE
