Faced with the catastrophic impact of World War I, many Americans were moved to greater generosity. People from all backgrounds played an important role in providing relief to Europe, the Middle East and beyond, influencing both people and policy.
The Rise of Giving: American Philanthropy and WWI explores this philanthropic movement, sharing the stories of the Americans and the organizations that played a key role in reshaping the world in the wake of war.
They drew upon the experiences of the previous decades, when traditional notions of charity gave way to the use of wealth to provide for the public good. This transition helped establish the modern American philanthropic movement.