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It is commonly perceived that there is a wide gap between the rich and poor and that they do not share the same aspirations. But this notion is a far cry from what philanthropists do for the less fortunate. For the few who are blessed, their wealth provides the best avenue to create difference in society and help others who were born unlucky. Blessed as they are, the likes of the Rockefellers and the von Furstenbergs are reaching out their hands to those who need help.

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For the fortunate few, most funnel their wealth and money on improving education, health, communities, and the arts. The Rockefellers, the oil magnates, have been in the field of philanthropy since the 18th century. While oil magnate John Davison Rockefeller, who revolutionized modern philanthropy, has already passed away, his family’s efforts are continually felt through the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

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The von Furstenbergs are also noted for their philanthropy. Alex von Furstenberg, the director and secretary of The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, is one of the fortunate few who share their blessings with others. While he is of royal blood, he has made a name for himself in the field of finance and continues to support various organizations, including Friends of the Highline, City-meals on Wheels, and The Fortune Society.  

Know more about philanthropy here.

Charity begins at home: Ways of cultivating sympathy

Charity is one of the noblest of virtues and is not easy to practice for anybody who has no innate compassion for giving. It is hard to be indulgent with others unless one is able to cultivate this virtue at home. This latest Alex von Furstenberg blog update introduces three ways of cultivating generosity and compassion at home.

• Teaching children to give - A giving attitude is a lesson that should be taught at a young age. Encouraging children to gather their allowance money for Salvation Army buckets, baking cookies for hospitals and nursing homes, and donating old toys, among others, can help them grow to become great philanthropists someday.

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• Turning birthdays into a day of giving - Shari Nakakura, a mother of two, makes it a point that on occasions like birthdays, her family picks out a charity for their guests to give donations to.

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• Examining the difficulty for the working poor - Injecting the virtue of charitable giving at home is possible by looking into the lives of the disadvantaged. Parents can also enumerate the things that the family must spend money on every week so they can prioritize their needs over their wants. With their extra money, they can plan how they can give to others.

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The home is the center of society where goodness develops. From the home, that goodness can radiate to neighbors, communities, and the world.

Find out more about Alex von Furstenberg and his philanthropy by following this Twitter account.