any of you have noticed that our newspapers are now peppered with stories of surprisingly generous philanthropy by “masters of industry.” With formidable resources at their disposal, former President Bill Clinton, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and investor Warren Buffett have become a significant force in the world of international philanthropy.

As described in The Philanthropy News Digest and by Marilyn Chase of The Wall Street Journal, there is a “predictable, positive and dramatic impact this stunning corporate philanthropy” has on areas such as research and new medical discoveries. It starts with signature projects, which then serve as the catalyst for a broader network of giving.¹

Although there has been little formal collaboration between these individuals, their foundations have begun to work together, sharing their vision, resources and even the podium at the recent International Conference on AIDS in Toronto. Trevor Neilson, a former spokesman for President Clinton and the Gates Foundation and now a partner in the Endeavor Group, a philanthropic-strategy firm in Washington, D.C., said, “It’s not an exaggeration to say the two Bills are leading the world in the fight against AIDS.”¹

Recently the nation’s wealthiest man, Warren Buffett, surprised the philanthropic world by pledging $37.4 billion worth of stock from Berkshire Hathaway to five charitable foundations. He earmarked $31 billion of that for the foundation run by Bill Gates.

The immense power of these gifts has pushed philanthropy to the front pages of newspapers that are known more for business reporting, not promotion of charitable causes. Has generosity become a new “fad?”

In his article “Giving for a New Millennium,” Michael Liffman, M.D., of Swinburne University in Australia, agrees that several new categories of philanthropists have emerged, and each can be seen as emblematic of the new forces that are shaping the social investments of the 21st century.

Included in this group of new philanthropists are individual donors who are increasingly the beneficiaries of the “wealth transfer,” which commentators predict will be of phenomenal size in the coming years. Dr. Liffman explains that the savings of the parents of the baby boomers, and of the early baby boomers themselves, derived from industry, thrift and escalating home prices will “convert many who regarded themselves as modest middle class into people of real means.” Many of those who are merely comfortable rather than rich will have a capacity and a will for generosity. Some will be early retirees who find themselves with wealth, time, business networks and a desire to have another chance at saving the world, given the evident failure of their first attempts as students more than 40 years ago. Others are thinking about the effective and meaningful extension of their commitments beyond their own lifetimes. Here, too, are to be found young people who, knowing of the financial advantage they have or can foresee, may see philanthropy as part of the way they will shape the world.”²

A second group is the corporate sector, which is showing a real readiness to recognize its corporate citizenship obligations and to invest in community partnerships. “Employed in this sector are many who wish to develop their own skills in this field, realizing that, sadly, their business and M.B.A. degrees paid no attention to imperatives other than commercial ones.”²

The ability to make a philanthropic commitment is within the grasp of many of us. We give to our colleges and universities as a “payback” for the educational opportunities that they afforded us. As depicted in the novel Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde, this philanthropy may be even more powerful if we instead “pay it forward.”

When you consider your own version of venture philanthropy and wealth transfer, we hope that you will consider giving to the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER). Anesthesiology research has made our specialty safer and stronger and will continue to evolve as we embrace the science and the practice of medicine. Our commitment to research distinguishes us in our field from other practitioners. It is the quest for new knowledge that distinguishes leaders from followers. Help us to maintain the spirit and essence of what we do. This centennial year is the perfect time to begin a yearly pledge to FAER to support our future. Donate a day of your services or even a single case reimbursement. This is a perfect way to “pay it forward.”


References:
1. Chase M. Two Bills, One Mission. The Wall Street Journal. July 11, 2006. Story reprinted in Philanthropy News Digest, “Efforts of Gates, Clinton Foundations Increasingly Overlap,” July 22, 2006.
2. Liffman M. Giving for a New Millennium, posted Monday, August 14, 2006, in On Line Opinion. <www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=4770>. Accessed September 18, 2006.

Joanne M. Conroy, M.D., is Chief Medical Officer and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Western Region Atlantic Health System, Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown, New Jersey.

FAER Research Councils Soliciting Applications

n anticipation of the February 15, 2007, application deadlines for FAER Research Grants, the FAER Research Councils are seeking applications in the following areas of specific interest. Applications will be evaluated and scored through the same process as other FAER grant applications. Information regarding FAER grants and application materials are available at <faer.org/grants.php>.

FAER Pediatrics Research Council Request for Applications
The FAER Pediatrics Research Council is seeking research funding applications to promote and encourage research in pediatric anesthesia through basic, translational, patient-oriented and population-based investigations. Studies in the biology of anesthesia in the developing organism and studies on the plasticity and programming associated with anesthesia experienced during development are especially encouraged.

FAER Pain Research Council Request for Applications
The FAER Pain Research Council is encouraging research funding applications in the following area(s):

“Frameworks to evaluate safety, efficacy, competency and outcomes in patient populations with pain from preclinical to clinical settings.”

“Studies in the area of physician education in pain medicine.”

Although applications for all categories of FAER grants are welcome, applications for Research Starter Grants are especially encouraged.

FAER Geriatrics Research Council Request for Applications
The FAER Geriatrics Research Council is seeking applications for research funding for studies that will identify factors that are associated with or predictive of perioperative complications in geriatric patients. Although applications for all categories of FAER grants are welcome, applications for Research Starter Grants are especially encouraged.

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