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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Coming to America

I have been in "development" - or as it is known in the trenches: "the heartache of fund raising" for decades. There were the best of times - in the '90s - and there continue to be the worst of times - since 2008. Yet, America, this most philanthropically minded society, ranks at the top worldwide in its generosity and giving power. There are positive and less so consequences: the giving mindset of our nation supports people and sectors of society, nationally and around the globe, that would otherwise be disenfranchised; but it has also created the perception internationally that all any organization or institution needs to do is show up and ask for money. I specifically point the finger at continental European institutions of - arts, culture, higher educations - who for the longest time wallowed in the financial generosity of their federal and state governments, not even entertaining a thought as to how they could possibly generate an additional cushion of funds to draw from, should times get hard.
Well, we all know that times got hard, and the majority of the government supported institutions saw the well dry up. Actually, this image reminds me of the "Ant and the Grasshopper" fable, where the grasshopper, after having enjoyed without a care in the world the prosperity and warmth of spring and summer, finds him/herself in dire straits (homeless and without food supplies), just as the winter is drawing near. What does the grasshopper do? He/She turns for help to the one that he/she mocked throughout: the ant.
I am not saying that our continental friends mock our philanthropy, but they appear to rely on it for the good will we'll exhibit when their museums, universities and symphony orchestras come knocking on America's door.
Should we respond like the ant did? or do we call upon our generous nature? I've experienced both, and I will share my stories if you share yours.

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