Business Philanthropy

“ . . . for man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty.” – John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address Jan 8, 1961.

Capitalistic business practices have been considered both the cause and the cure for our nation’s poor. Peter L. Berger stated in The Capitalist Revolution: “The early period of industrial capitalism in England, and probably the other Western countries, exacted considerable human costs, if not the actual decline in material living standards then in social and cultural dislocation.”

Although industrialism saw great strides in personal and national wealth, the cost was admittedly paid by the most fragile of society. However, many of those who benefited the most from that era were also those who planted the seeds of the modern philanthropic effort.

“I believe in living wages – I do not believe in charity. I believe we should all be producers.” So declared automaker Henry Ford in 1924. Ford routinely hired the disabled; in 1919 nearly 20 percent of his workforce had some form of disability. He made accommodations in work positions available to those others considered hopeless and assisted them to become productive.

His view of charitable organizations was that they tended to be just “repair stations” along side of “broken tracks.” To him the thought of just giving to the poor without “fixing the broken track” was irresponsible.

At 33 years of age, industrialist Andrew Carnegie’s goal was to live on a minimal amount of his income and give the remainder for benevolent purposes – “Beyond this never earn, make no effort to increase fortune, but spend the surplus each year for benevolent purposes.” He thought it a disgrace for one to die rich.

What lessons can we learn from these successful philanthropic industrialists?

In the recent past, several businessmen contacted me for counsel – they were attempting to help individuals they had met through their respective homeless situations. Like Ford and Carnegie, they both wanted to assist the needy through to successful self-directed living – by giving “a hand up”; they were not satisfied to just give them an easy hand-out.

I initially warned both that they needed to watch out that their heart did not get bruised as they allowed themselves to reach out and get deeply involved with another person’s life situation. Many times, even those of us in our type of service agency get drawn-in by the most fervent of appeals of those in need – and later discover it a sham. I was impressed at the effort and funds these men were willing to expended in an attempt at reconciling these needy back to the community.

In the Long Beach area we have our share of homeless and hurting men, women, and families. It is the Long Beach Rescue Mission’s goal to identify those who desire and are ready for outside influence in their life situations. That desire is as important to us as it is to the lifeguard who hesitates for the precise moment to safely reach out and grab someone drowning. Grasping a moment too early – before someone has given up – can lead to drastic results; giving the wrong kind of help can be as harmful – for both parties.

It is every ethical man’s desire to help others in need, especially when it confronts them head-on – as with the businessmen who contacted me. But what is our responsibility to others? How much of our resources can we put into solving the problems around us? And what of the larger issues facing the world?

As Carnegie, I believe that after providing for the needs of our family, we are to look out for the interests of others. Self, family, local communities and agencies, and then – only if all else fails – the government . . . the line of responsibility must begin at the local level, not from the federal. All elements of society must be brought to bear on issues not readily attainable at the local level.

At the Long Beach Rescue Mission we endeavor to serve the needs of the homeless through the partnership of individuals, churches, businesses, and local agencies. We attempt to match the needs of people first to family members – sometimes supplying bus fare to get back to a supportive family network. Next, we turn to local non-government organizations (NGO’s) and then, if necessary, to county, state, and federal agencies.

Following a course that initially includes related family members is difficult, as the homeless have many issues to deal with and pride often gets in the way. In many cases, they have worn their family out or burnt the bridges behind them. Recently, I spoke with a retired Army Paratrooper who served in Vietnam. He had hip problems and ‘lived’ in a nearby lot on a discarded mattress. He had somehow acquired a wheelchair, in which he got around. I was able to get some history from him that revealed facts of some extended family in the tri-cities area of east Tennessee. He staunchly refused further probes of people I might contact for him – who might be able to take him in. “I’m not asking for help – I can get by myself,” was his constant refrain. He passed away a few weeks later.

But local health services and law enforcement have to deal with such persons, as complaints come in from local businesses, schools, and neighbors. Where are these people to go and how are we to provide for the neediest?

Even now, the Mission is stretched to the limit and has little additional space for many who come seeking help. Due to NIMBY (not in my backyard) attitudes in many of our cities, where can these services best be located? For successful solutions, we need to research area NGO’s, faith-based organizations, what effect the needy have on the local business climate, and how businesses can affect a change in the broader community through partnership with NGO’s.

As did those industrialists who pioneered the modern philanthropic institutions, we in the business world need to realize our responsibility to make a difference in the world around us – to leave it a better place – not just leave our wealth, but to build true wealth through people.

“For the poor will be always with you.” – Jesus Christ, Matthew 26:11