PROF.  PAUL G. SCHERVISH, SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, BOSTON COLLEGE;
DIRECTOR, BOSTON COLLEGE CENTER ON WEALTH AND PHILANTHROPHY

Direct Contact:  Office: 617-552-4071; paul.schervish.1@bc.edu 

 

"Americans are affluent, and regardless of hard times, still make choices: whether to consume another piece of clothing or a dinner out versus what is even more satisfying. Nothing is more satisfying than when you are truly helping individuals. In their hearts, people are not contributing to organizations – they are contributing to people. The organizations are the tools by which people can connect to other people.

"What we call the 'nature mobilizing factor' in philanthropy is identification with the fate of others, as if they were yourself, your spouse, your parents, your children, your grandchildren. The experience that these people are connected to us is mutual nourishment between two parties. The donors are being nourished because they are concerned and this allays the hurt that the donor feels for the victims of the earthquake."

Paul Schervish is an expert on wealth and philanthropy and the demographics of and motivations for charitable giving.

 

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Reid Oslin
Boston College News & Public Affairs
Main Office: 617-552-3350
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