The Power of Focused Philanthropy: A Look back at Garland’s Fund
In a time marked by vast wealth inequality and a struggle for social progress, historian Jonathan Witt’s new book offers a compelling case study in the potent impact of strategically deployed philanthropy. Garland’s Fund: A History of Radical american philanthropy details the remarkable story of a small, privately funded institution that, between 1920 and 1941, quietly but decisively shaped the landscape of American civil liberties and social justice.
Founded by milton Garland,a Chicago attorney who inherited a significant fortune,the fund wasn’t interested in mainstream charity. instead, it deliberately targeted “unpopular” causes, providing crucial financial support to individuals and organizations fighting for progressive change. This included bolstering self-reliant journalism to combat misinformation, advocating for reproductive rights through the legalization of birth control, and providing vital resources to groups like the NAACP, the ACLU, and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Garland’s Fund didn’t shy away from controversial projects, funding radical publications like Cultura Obrera and even a documentary by Max Eastman exploring the Russian Revolution.
Witt meticulously traces the fund’s involvement in landmark legal battles, from the Scopes trial to Brown v. Board of Education, demonstrating its consistent presence at the forefront of civil rights litigation. He doesn’t simply chronicle the fund’s impact, though. He delves into the complexities of the individuals behind it, revealing their motivations, disagreements, and personal lives. Witt portrays them not as infallible heroes, but as passionate advocates grappling with arduous decisions and constantly questioning the best path forward.
The book highlights the fund’s remarkable efficiency. With a mere $67,000 spent on administrative costs over nineteen years,compared to $1.85 million in grants, Garland’s Fund maximized its impact.Yet, even with such success, its directors often wrestled with doubts, wondering if their resources could have been allocated more effectively.
Ultimately, Witt argues, the fund’s strength lay in its willingness to support projects that were too risky or unconventional for larger, more conservative foundations. It could champion issues that elected officials avoided and that mainstream organizations couldn’t sustain. This ability to address neglected needs is the book’s central and most resonant message.
Witt draws striking parallels between the concentration of wealth in the 1920s and the present day, noting how the super-rich then, as now, wielded important influence over public opinion and the political process. He subtly suggests that a similar, focused philanthropic effort – even with modest resources – could have a profound impact today. while stopping short of providing a detailed roadmap, he implies that the prospect for impactful, progressive change exists once more, echoing Upton Sinclair’s sentiment that “the opportunity presents itself once more.” Garland’s Fund is a timely reminder that even small investments, directed strategically, can be a powerful force for good.
