January 13, 2000

Donors Big and Small Propelled Philanthropy in the 20th Century

By THOMAS J. BILLITTERI

In the waning years of the 19th century, the steel baron Andrew Carnegie set the tone for a transformation in American philanthropy that will no doubt continue well into the new millennium.

He told wealthy people that they would be disgraced if they died without having donated their surplus money to social causes. Just as important, he said, the wealthy should carefully choose the causes they supported,

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