"The next time you hear that someone is going through some trouble and you think it doesn't concern you, remember that when one of us is affected, we are all at risk. We are all in this journey called life. Taking care of each other is a way of encouraging and supporting each other. When you hear the bell toll, don't ask for whom it tolls. It tolls for you too." (Ernest Hemingway)
"Life is based on complex networks of relationships that connect individuals who are part of a community, and there is a link between the earth and the body, whose condition of well-being or illness affects the quality of daily life. Those that support our everyday life are often small, seemingly banal actions. Gratitude represents the happy awareness of this reality, and the key to accessing a broader and more fulfilling perspective on life. It is a powerful tool that helps us reorient our attention towards the positive, cultivating an optimistic attitude."
What is the connection between gratitude and philanthropy?
"Gratitude and philanthropy both belong to the sphere of generosity: the first expresses the donor's appreciation and the beneficiary's open-mindedness, who is not afraid to publicly recognize the donor's gesture; the second consists in the concrete action of supporting others through financial support or charitable initiatives. Gratitude is the founding value of the generous relationship between philanthropist and beneficiary."
Are there positive psychological effects that come from feeling and expressing gratitude?
"It is widely demonstrated that feeling grateful improves mental well-being, happiness, and that gratitude, if cultivated, can reduce stress and anxiety, increase a sense of belonging and contribute to healthier interpersonal relationships. Says Warren Buffett, entrepreneur and philanthropist: "Gratitude is the soul of happiness. When you are grateful for what you have, you are more capable of appreciating the little things in life and being happy, despite the challenges that arise."
Can gratitude improve relationships between donors and organizations?
"Certainly. First of all, it is the climate of collaboration that changes: open and transparent communication is created, a benevolent atmosphere that favors exchange, facilitating the growth and development of lasting and meaningful relationships. All this can motivate those who donate not only to make available material resources, but also their social networks, and to support the nonprofit organization in the long term. Publicly expressing gratitude also has an impact on the reputation of both the donor and the nonprofit organization, since it demonstrates a commitment to transparency and care for its supporters. Oprah Winfrey, a famous television moderator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, has kept a gratitude journal for many years. Through its foundation has donated significant amounts to organizations that support the education and empowerment of women and children, and to local organizations dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in their communities. Oprah, by publicly testifying for years to her belief that gratitude can produce meaningful and altruistic action, has inspired thousands of people to do the same."
What are some ways that beneficiaries can show appreciation to their philanthropists?
"Philanthropists want to feel recognized as people and not only by virtue of their financial possibilities. Cultivating a constant awareness of this aspect also leads to reflecting on how it is most appropriate to show gratitude. It is necessary to take into account the mindset and personal sensitivity of each person. Werner Reinhart, a great patron of music from Winterthur, recommended the utmost discretion to the musicians he supported, unlike Paul Sacher, a contemporary patron from Basel, who expressed the opposite desire, also appreciating public recognition. Two different characters, two different expectations, but the same pleasure of feeling the wonder of being appreciated in the relationship.
Beyond material gestures, it is therefore the spiritual attitude of the beneficiary that counts. Engaging in thanking a philanthropist is not something that ends after receiving a donation, but an interior attitude that accompanies the relationship for its entire duration. Often, unfortunately, the institutions for which a donor has spent years have a short memory, they even ignore his passing, they do not remember him to the community, they do not comfort the family, totally forgetting the contribution he has made, sometimes citing the reason for his premature retirement from public life.
How can gratitude help build a sense of community among philanthropists?
"Living with a sense of gratitude and recognition the privilege of wealth can foster the creation of a sense of belonging and shared identity among philanthropists, leading to a shared purpose. Hence the birth of new forms of philanthropy such as Trust-Based Philanthropy, a model that is based precisely on trust in the ability of beneficiaries and their communities to identify their needs and provide them with optimal solutions without external intervention. The approach is that of multi-year support to institutions and not just projects, to allow them to adapt and expand programs and scope.
This is also where the model of collective philanthropy was born, a powerful tool that is activated when groups of philanthropists network, aggregate resources and act together to maximize the positive impact on the community or on the causes addressed. Significant in this regard is the experience of UBS, which started “UBS Collectives”, groups of clients who pool their resources, focusing on issues such as child protection, climate change, and health and education issues.
How can recognizing and valuing the support of philanthropists create a positive dynamic and transform the conscious beneficiary into a future donor?
«Recognizing and appreciating the support of the philanthropist can inspire the beneficiary to practice charitable actions in turn and encourage virtuous behaviors in various ways:
Motivation and encouragement: appreciation for the support received can, for example, motivate an established artist to support young people. Anne-Sophie Mutter, a famous violinist, a pupil of Paul Sacher who supported her for years, has established her own foundation with the aim of providing global support to emerging violinists, violists, cellists and double bass players. The foundation offers individual support to scholarship holders based on their specific needs. This can include lessons with her, assistance in choosing a suitable teacher, provision of musical instruments, contact with famous soloists and participation in their masterclasses, and auditions with conductors (https://www.anne-sophie-mutter.de/seite/anne-sophie-mutter-stiftung/).
Gratitude and reciprocity: Being grateful for the support received can push an artist to reciprocate with altruistic and solidarity gestures. A virtuous example is that of Angelika Kauffmann, an 022037th-century Austrian painter, supported by patrons and collectors such as Count Josef Johann von Fries. Later, Kauffmann herself became a philanthropist (https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/it/articles/2021/12-13-XNUMX/)
Sense of community and social responsibility: The awareness of what has been received enhances the sense of social responsibility for the collective well-being and pushes an artist to commit to the community. Aviva Rahmani, for example, a well-known interdisciplinary artist, collaborates not only with other artists, but also with scientists, architects and engineers, especially on environmental sustainability projects. Supported by foundations such as the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, she believes that small changes can have a positive impact on the entire system, spreading her message through art. In his book Contagious Generosity. The idea that is absolutely worth spreading, TED Conference President Chris Anderson presents an example of how a donation triggers a virtuous circle, telling the story of two anonymous donors who each gave $10.000 to two hundred strangers, discovering that most of the recipients decided to “give back” part of the sum with generous acts of their own.
What role does gratitude have in the modern and technological era? Is it still a relevant feeling or has it become vague and anachronistic in the contemporary world?
"In an increasingly fast and frenetic society, only at a superficial glance gratitude may seem an antiquated concept. In reality, never before, in a period of growing violence and international uncertainty, have each of us needed qualifying relationships and the ability to create an island of peace for ourselves. I agree with Roberto Benigni's thought: "It is a sign of mediocrity when you show your gratitude with moderation." Even more so for those who have made generosity a pillar of their existence."
Dr. Elisa Bortoluzzi Dubach, consultant of Public Relations, Sponsorships and Foundations, is a lecturer at various universities and colleges in Switzerland and Italy and co-author of, among others, The generous relationship. Guide to collaborating with philanthropists and patrons.
