Alex von Furstenberg: Philanthropy as a form of giving back

If you were worth millions of dollars, what would you do?

a) Invest assets in bonds and securities?
b) Buy luxury properties?
c) Count money all day?

Alex von Furstenberg however, has a better option: generously give back a portion of your wealth to the less fortunate.

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There are a myriad of reasons why people engage in philanthropy. Others do so out of appreciation; others, out of religious devotion; while others, out of competition.


However, true philanthropy is ultimately defined by a single purpose: altruism—a genuine universal love for humanity, which in effect resounds the donor’s sense of making the world a better place. Altruism is the most profound of all volitions. It is a love that is spawned by a previously received love, being passed on to inspire others to do the same.

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Alex von Furstenberg supports over 60 charitable institutions that are involved in community-building, education, arts, environment, and health.

In this sense, altruistic people are always trying to give back to whoever has most deeply motivated them in the past; only this time, it is their moment to impart whatever temporal possessions they have to benefit those in need.


They might have been reduced of their riches, but they have been made wealthier by love.


A quote by best-selling author Brian Tracy sums it up accurately: “Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.”

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For more information on the philanthropic endeavors of Alex von Furstenberg, visit his website at www.alexvonfurstenberg.com.

Alex von Furstenberg: Saving the arts through philanthropy

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Art lovers, like business maven Alex von Furstenberg, realize that doing philanthropy for the arts has a way of preserving a nation’s heritage, culture, and history. This is the reason why Mr. von Furstenberg supports the following non-profit organizations on various art forms:

• Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
• CAA Education Foundation (Playwrights)
• The Museum of Television and Radio
• Danielandsomesuperfriends
• Roundabout Theatre Company
• PEN American Center
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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While many are skeptical about the motives of American art philanthropy in saving the arts, it has somehow helped support the blood flow of art preservation organizations. Art philanthropy is crucial because it has paved the way for struggling American artists, dancers, singers, and writers have the world recognize the valuable talents they have.

Alex von Furstenberg is actively involved in a variety of philanthropic endeavors. He is the Director and Secretary of The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation and serves on the board of Friends of the High Line, a private non-profit partner of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.

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South West Surrey culture secretary Jeremy Hunt once said, "If you said to me what is the one thing I could do . . . that would make a real difference to the arts, I would say it would be to help foster an American-style culture of philanthropy to the arts and culture here in the UK."


Aside from his financial support for art organizations, Alex von Furstenberg has made several other contributions to non-profit projects that support the environment. Know more of his philanthropic efforts from this website.

Alex von Furstenberg on valuing women's "Vital Voices"

Alex von Furstenberg’s supported charities are nothing short of eclectic. He backs more than 60 organizations, under the umbrella of different niches. Among these, one organization caters to one of the most neglected groups in society: women. 

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“Vital Voices” is an international non-profit organization that collaborates with women from different countries in the areas of economic empowerment, women’s political participation, and human rights. The organization centers in on women empowerment—pushing them to get past the established societal borders that have constricted them through the years.

In its website, Vital Voices states that it aims to “identify, invest in, and bring visibility to extraordinary women around the world by unleashing their leadership potential to transform lives and accelerate peace and prosperity in their communities.”

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Through Alex von Furstenberg and other philanthropists’ fiscal support, Vital Voices is able to realize its following mission statements:

• Be at the frontiers among other international coalitions in aggressively combating human trafficking and other forms of injustices against women and girls 
• Be catalysts in enabling women to become change agents in their respective state governments, promoters of social justice, and advocates of democracy and the rule of law 
• Be hardline in equipping women with the necessary skills to become self-sustaining, autonomous, and valuable entities in the society

Past generations have greatly downplayed the potentials and contributions of women in building a sustainable community. Fortunately, more people are recognizing their inherent worth. After all, women are among the ‘vital voices’ of today.

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Access more information regarding Alex von Furstenberg’s advocacies by visiting his website.

Alex von Furstenberg: The characteristics of successful entrepreneurs

Alex von Furstenberg is the chief investment officer and founder of Ranger Global Advisors. He is known for having diverse business ventures that have all been considered a success. 

Find out the qualities of successful entrepreneurs like Mr. von Furstenberg by reading this blog.

 

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Regardless of the industry, success is believed to be the fruit of a specific set of characteristics that achievers possess. Entrepreneurs who aspire to be successful must practice the following techniques, matched with a winning attitude:  

Do things that they enjoy.  As the famous idiom says, “you reap what you sow,” entrepreneurs should remember that whatever they invest into would lead to the business’ success or failure. Alex von Furstenberg and other successful business magnates believe that the formula to success has been and will always be “wanting and loving what they do.”  

Plan everything.  Planning is a vital component in every business – big or small. Without laying out a good plan and strategies on how to go through the business, entrepreneurs will clearly find themselves in the brink of failure.

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Become a shameless self-promoter.  This is important especially for start-up businesses that need to get their names out there. Self-promotion is easier nowadays through the use of the Internet, which serves as a free-for-all advertising platform for entrepreneurs to leverage on.  

Build a credible team.  Entrepreneurs should regard the power of teamwork as an important aspect in establishing business success. This is possible by building a team with members who can work together on the same page, toward the same goal.  

Read, learn, invest.  One of the keys to reach business success is to continue learning. Entrepreneurs, even those who are already successful like Alex von Furstenberg, should continue to aspire being educated. They should, as Entrepreneur.com shares, invest in themselves by considering education as a never-ending process.

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For more about Alex von Furstenberg’s impressive journey as a businessman, visit this blog.

Alex von Furstenberg: Clothing the naked heart

Alex von Furstenberg is a fiscal supporter of over 60 different charities, each with a different approach in tackling the task of making the world a better place. One of the charities he is actively backing is Naked Heart Foundation, a child-centric philanthropic organization.

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Play has been viewed by prominent psychologists as endemic to the human species. Jean Piaget and Sigmund Freud have stressed the importance of play in the development of a child’s interpersonal, critical, and focusing abilities—all which are needed to survive the harsh adult reality that await them.




Sadly, not all children get the chance to run around and play to their hearts’ content. This can result to a deep psychological scar to the child, and this is the very concern that Naked Heart Foundation—one of Alex von Furstenberg’s beneficiaries—seeks to address.

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The foundation was founded by model and actress Natalia Vodianova after a visit to her homeland Russia with her son. She saw the deplorable lack of suitable playgrounds that resulted to the children’s rather sedentary lifestyles. Vodianova also claims to have been affected by the infamous 2004 Beslan school siege where about 700 children were hostaged and more than 300 were killed.




Since its inception in 2005, Naked Heart Foundation has built more than 30 play parks and playgrounds, providing due opportunities for children to exercise their right to play and enjoy a worry-free life—unbound by any restrictions.

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Learn more about Alex von Furstenberg by visiting his website.

Of fashion and philanthropy: Alex von Furstenberg and the DVF Studio

Alex von Furstenberg is a partner and director of Diane von Furstenberg Studio, LP. He also serves on the board of directors of the company alongside Diane von Furstenberg, Barry Diller, Tatiana von Furstenberg, Paula Sutter, and Hamilton South. Together, they use the business of fashion as a means to lessen the suffering brought about by poverty, illiteracy, and illnesses all over the world.

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Some of the organizations that the company supports are:

Vital Voices Global Partnership -- It identifies and provides opportunities for extraordinary women around the world by honing their leadership skills so that they may help their respective communities prosper.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital -- The institution is among the world's leading centers in terms of research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other children’s diseases.

Alex von Furstenberg also serves on the board of directors of Friends of the High Line.

Teach For America -- This comprises recent college graduates of varying academic majors and career interests who are willing to make a two-year-long commitment to teach in urban and rural public schools. These outstanding individuals aim to expand educational opportunities and eliminate educational inequity among the youth.

Alex von Furstenberg. Image Credit: DVF.com

Diane von Furstenberg, one of the prominent names in the fashion world, founded the global luxury lifestyle brand DVF in 1972. Headquartered in New York City, DVF has been known worldwide for its iconic wrap dress and signature prints. With its 45 freestanding shops and availability in 70 countries, DVF has expanded its collection to bags, shoes, eyewear, fragrance, and jewelry, among others.

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Alex von Furstenberg supports numerous organizations that help alleviate poverty and advance the lives of the less fortunate. Learn more about his philanthropic efforts from this website.

Whitney Museum honors Alexander von Furstenberg and the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation

Over the years, philanthropist Alex von Furstenberg, partner and director at The Diller - von Furstenberg Family Foundation, has shown sustained commitment to the artistic and cultural heritage of various arts in the country. Because of his and the foundation’s efforts, The Diller - von Furstenberg Family Foundation was honored at the Whitney Museum's 19th annual American Art Award Gala. The gala took place in a large tent under the High Line at the future site of the downtown Whitney Museum on Washington at Gansevoort.

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It was a momentous evening for the Diller – von Furstenberg family, especially when Alex took the center stage for his acceptance speech. It was a sight to behold as Alex von Furstenberg spoke while his beloved mother and fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg and his step father Barry Diller took photos of him and beamed their proud smiles.

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The fund-raising gala attracted about 300 guests and raised $1.6 million, with tables costing $75,000 each. Among the members of the crowd included John McEnroe, Dorothy Lichtenstein, several artists like Roni Horn and Fred Wilson, and New York painters Wade Guyton and Kelley Walker, who designed Mr. von Furstenberg’s award: a 4x8-foot panel painting on sheet rock.

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The outdoor celebration culminated with a performance by rocker Lou Reed, which signaled the guests to head for the after-show party at the Top of the Standard.


Receive updates about Alex von Furstenberg’s philanthropic endeavors by following this Twitter account.