The role of a museum of modern art is to make a good selection and identify what we believe to be the coming movements, and that requires taste.
David RockefellerRead
Philanthropy is involved with basic innovations that transform society, not simply maintaining the status quo or filling basic social needs that were formerly the province of the public sector.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Philanthropy aims to create significant societal change rather than merely addressing immediate social needs.
David Rockefeller's quote emphasizes the transformative role of philanthropy in society. Rather than settling for temporary solutions or merely sustaining existing systems, effective philanthropy seeks to introduce innovative ideas and changes that fundamentally reshape and improve societal structures, moving beyond traditional public sector roles.
Themes
PhilanthropyInnovationSocietyTransformationSocial Change
In practice
Example use cases
In a keynote address on social entrepreneurship, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of innovation in philanthropy.
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