Heightscast

Dr. Jeremy Beer’s study of American society over the last 200 years, overlaid with psychology research and statistics about American charitable giving, has brought about his recent book: The Quest for Belonging. The book directly advises nonprofit and fundraising leaders, though it just as much informs the everyday giver. This week on HeightsCast, Beer helps us see that charitable giving at its best is not a distant act of beneficence but an intimate act of community. It allows those who participate to become more rooted in the reality of social belonging, making for a healthier society in more ways than one. Chapters: 3:56 American cultural tradition of “association” 7:39 Four pillars of civil society 9:04 American society, in particular 16:53 Gradual decline of American association, of belonging 21:33 Giving and religious affiliation 25:04 Giving and localism 28:02 Giving as a democratic exercise 31:31 Nonprofits have a role in belonging 33:50 The goods of associating ourselves 34:36 To whom do you owe? 41