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Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly
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The Moral Biography of Wealth: Philosophical Reflections on the Foundation of Philanthropy

Paul G. Schervish

Boston College–Indiana University

Moral biography refers to the way all individuals conscientiously combine two elements in daily life: personal capacity and moral compass. Exploring the moral biography of wealth highlights the philosophical foundations of major gifts by major donors. First, the author provides several examples to elucidate his definition of moral biography. Second, he elaborates the elements of a moral biography. Third, he describes the characteristics that make one's moral biography a spiritual or religious biography. Fourth, he discusses the distinctive characteristics of a moral biography of wealth. Fifth, he suggests that implementing a process of discernment will enable development professionals to work more productively with donors. The author concludes by placing the notion of a moral biography of wealth in historical context and suggests how advancement professionals can deepen their own moral biography by working to deepen the moral biography of their donors.

Key Words: wealth • philanthropy • fundraising • moral biography • theory • care

Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Vol. 35, No. 3, 477-492 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0899764006288287
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