- “One of the great lessons of the 19th and 20th centuries was the recognition of this big space that exists between what is the public sector (government) and what is the private sector (business), and led to the development of our nonprofit sector. It is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is essential to the healthy balance of society. And, if it withers, the quality of society degrades in a democracy…We don’t yet have a rational way of funding this vitally important sector of society. That is the challenge that philanthropy needs to face up to in the United States and globally in the 21st century.” —Richard Rockefeller, Chairman, Rockefeller Brothers Fund at the Opening Session of the Value of Family Philanthropy National Symposium
- “Philanthropy is often defined as an effort to improve society, based on love of humankind. While philanthropy usually includes money, it is most meaningful when it comes from the heart and includes the contribution of time and talents” Remmer, “Raising Children with Philanthropic Values“
- “Schervish defines philanthropy as the social relation of care in which individuals expand the horizons of their self-interest to include meeting the needs of others.” Wealth in Families Third Edition (Charles W. Collier) Page 17
- “Philanthropy can instill a sense of responsibility around wealth in the next generation of your family. “The more money you have personally,” said Bob Stone, “the more responsibility you have to society. Providing an inheritance to our children also gives them certain responsibilities as well, including using their wealth to have a positive impact on society.” Wealth in Families Third Edition (Charles W. Collier) Page 67
- “Civility in society is achieved when the majority of people do what is moral because they believe they should, not because they are compelled by law or by police force.” Religion and Government, Elder Wilford W. Andersen Of the Seventy
- “I submit that a return to the old pattern of prayer, family prayer in the homes of the people, is one of the basic medications that would check the dread disease that is eroding the character of our society. We could not expect a miracle in a day, but in a generation we would have a miracle.” Manual, Teachings of the President of the Church: Gordon B Hinkley, Chapter 6, How Mighty a Thing is Prayer