Philanthropy's Role in Civilization

Arnaud Cartwright Marts was successful over a long career in the mainstream of American life in the first half of the twentieth century. Although best known as a professional fund-raiser and co-founder of one of the largest professional consulting firms, he was president of Bucknell University from 1935 to 1945, a lecturer, and an author. This book gathers together the experiences and observations of over thirty years in the field of fund-raising. First published in 1953, it remains an exemplary statement of American capitalism as an ideology of obligation and the special place of foundations in expanding equity in society.The aim of philanthropy, in Mart's view, is to advance progress toward higher levels of well-being for all through the spirit of private obligation and voluntarism, concepts he locates specifically in the Judeo-Christian tradition and American political freedom and the free-enterprise system. The interaction of these concepts has borne fruit in America's colleges, cultural institutions, libraries, and hospitals, institutions that foster universal opportunity and individual initiative. Of particular importance in Marts's view of philanthropy is the role of the foundation and corporate support in promoting large-scale efforts in the direction of educational, scientific, and social progress. This volume is of value as a practical and ethical guide for the professional fund-raiser. Marts makes clear that the fund-raising specialist's expertise is, in part, technical, based on hard experience in working with volunteers, in planning and organizing campaigns, and in advising chief executives and members of boards, but he is firm in his belief that the ultimate purpose in any campaign is the cause to be served. The new introduction to this edition by Robert L. Payton offers a vivid biographical sketch of Arnaud C. Marts, situates his thought in its time and place, and analyzes differing conceptions of social progress between Marts's era and our own. It is of enduring value for fund-raising professionals, and social historians, and students of conservative thought.