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THE QUESTION
Giving enough?
Do financially successful people have an obligation to help those in need? Are Bill and Melinda Gates, by their actions, encouraging others to step up? How much should the rich be expected to give?
Posted by
Success Editors on November 23, 2009 8:14 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Racing for funds
People are working for causes that they believe in, where they want to make a difference -- but the reality is that there is a constant race for donations to support nonprofit organizations.
Posted by Eric Schaeffer, on November 24, 2009 9:39 AM
Give what you can
Giving back doesn't mean just financially, it also can mean with your time, pro bono work or giving away items that you may not use anymore.
Posted by Susan Lacz, on November 23, 2009 3:09 PM
Gilt or guilt?
I'm not saying that people are not compassionate; I'm saying that it's a lot easier to be compassionate when you can afford it and prefer to have someone other than the IRS wind up with your money.
Posted by Garrison Wynn, on November 23, 2009 2:07 PM
Making the case
"Thanksgiving" marries two important words -- "thanks" for the great charity that has been, and "giving" again to sustain the work that must continue.
Posted by Patricia McGuire, on November 23, 2009 12:58 PM
Why not more?
If people believe that financial success is driven mainly by effort, they are likely to feel less obligation to help those who are less successful.
Posted by Catherine H. Tinsley, on November 23, 2009 11:15 AM
Empowering gifts
The biggest financial gift any successful person could ever give is the gift of helping others generate financial success on their own.
Posted by Misti Burmeister, on November 23, 2009 9:37 AM
At the core
Increasingly, many businesses are baking their charitable, community and cause-related commitments into their core mission.
Posted by Michael J. Berland, on November 23, 2009 9:06 AM
Getting it
Rather than asking whether millionaires should give away money, the more important point seems to be that truly successful people are driven to do so.
Posted by Virginia Bianco-Mathis, on November 23, 2009 8:41 AM
The willing heart
Money increases an individual's access to resources; however, those with a passion for helping start the practice of giving prior to acquiring money.
Posted by Celeste Owens, on November 23, 2009 1:59 AM
FEATURED COMMENTS
shadowmagician: Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol" to encourage the Victorian "haves" to help out the less fortunate. Its' message is still relevant...
esch: I think it is admirable when the super-rich make large charitable contributions. It should be encouraged and thanked in every way possible....
John1263: The very rich used to abide - at least some, by a concept of noblese oblige. Largely gone except in cases like Gates or Buffet.
however, t...
