The Rockefeller Foundation: The Power of the Rich to do Good

One of my favorite biographers is Ron Chernow.  He has the gift (undoubtedly honed by tremendous discipline and hard, hard work) to take careful research and weave it into a powerful narrative about an interesting person’s life and times.  His books are not hagiographies, nor are they hatchet jobs.  He doesn’t write with an agenda, but to illuminate.  Chernow’s books are proudly works of fact, not wannabe history. 

            My first book by Chernow was Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.  The elder Rockefeller was, like virtually all of the nation builders of his time, a child of poverty in the extreme.  When you talk about the original titan’s of American industry: Rockefeller, Carnegie, Vanderbilt…, you are talking about men who had three things in common, childhood poverty, intelligence and seemingly endless energy.  They grew up smart, hungry and hard working.  That, my friends is a recipe for success.   They also had, at their core, a set of ethics that guided their behavior.  It may not be 21^st century ethics, but it fit both the laws and times of their lives. 

            I recommend Titan by Chernow, especially this summer, as the Rockefeller Foundation celebrates its 100^th year of philanthropy.  It was established on April 24, 1913 when the New York State Legislature passed an act creating the Rockefeller Foundation, “to promote the well-being of mankind throughout the world.”  No small goal!  The senior Rockefeller then endowed the Foundation with $35 million, followed a year later with another $65 million.  The effort had its beginnings in Rockefeller’s existing efforts, privately promoted and funded, to eradicate hookworm infestations in the south and build Spelman College for African-American women.  Denison College, a Baptist college and the University of Chicago also owe their beginnings to the John D., Sr. 

            While the snarky socialists of this country (the ones embarrassed by their easy life because they know they have no intention of doing anything to deserve it) will call this, “guilt” money.  They do this because they have no real knowledge of the man or his era.  John D. Rockefeller created the Foundation when there was no tax advantage for doing so.  More telling still is the fact that when he started earning his first wages as a clerk, living a hand-to-mouth existence, he still tithed to his Baptist church.  Rockefeller was, in fact, a deeply religious man who lived his faith.  He was an ardent abolitionist; neither smoked nor drank, and raised his children in an atmosphere of restraint.  His wife frequently talked about making sure the children had only one toy to share so they would, “…learn to give up to one another.” 

            Rockefeller thought his wealth, being the result of his God-given abilities, was a sign of blessing.  But he also said, “I have always regarded it as a religious duty to get all I could honorably and give all I could.”  This is my attitude.  If you make your money legally, I don’t care how rich you are.  Success is my role model.

            So now, the Rockefeller Foundation is celebrating a milestone, still using its money, power and largesse to build a better world.  They have set the example for other philanthropic entities that are even bigger in scope.  But they were the first.    When I hear people criticize the, “greed” of big corporations and wealthy individuals all I hear is jealous whining.  Look at the good done by successful people in America and find its like in any country in the world. 

            My thanks to those who grew the country and kept the faith.