Not surprisingly, there is an entire infrastructure of resources available to people grappling with issues related to having wealth.
These include personal growth, investment services, philanthropic advisory services, networks, support groups, and publications. Through the organizations listed below, you will be able to find a whole universe of activity.
One very comprehensive guide is: Taking Charge of Our Money, Our Values and Our Lives , published by More Than Money. It is an overview of 350 wealth and money-related publications and organizations. For ordering information, contact: More than Money, 226 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02474; info@morethanmoney.org
Links to Resource Organizations:
www.resourcegeneration.org Resource Generation is an alliance of young people supporting and challenging each other to effect social change through the creative, responsible and strategic use of financial and other resources. See the terrific set of links and resources on their web site.
www.responsiblewealth.org Responsible Wealth is a national network of businesspeople, investors and affluent Americans who are concerned about deepening economic inequality and are working for widespread prosperity. Their three primary areas of work are tax fairness, corporate responsibility and living wages. This is a place with wealthy individuals use their political clout and business ownership to work for a fairer economy.
www.inheritance-project.com The Inheritance Project (also known as Trio Press) was founded in 1992 to explore the emotional and social impact of inherited wealth. Check out their ten publications for individuals with inherited wealth and professionals.
www.suddenmoney.com Sudden Money Institute calls itself a “reliable source for evolutionary thinking, wisdom and practical solutions to the challenges of a sudden change in your financial position.”
www.thresholdfoundation.org Threshold is a progressive foundation and a community of individuals united through wealth, mobilizing money, people and power to create a more just, joyful, and sustainable world.
Books:
Aldrich, Nelson W. Jr. Old Money, The Mythology of America’s Upper Class . New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1988.
Blouin, Barbara with Gibson, Katherine, and Kiersted, Margaret. The Legacy of Inherited Wealth: Interviews with heirs. Trio Press, 1995.
Blouin, Barbara. Like a Second Mother: Nannies and housekeepers in the lives of wealthy children. The Inheritance Project/Trio Press. 1999.
Brooks, David. Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There. New York: Touchstone Books, 2001.
Conniff, Richard. The Natural History of the Rich: A Field Guide. New York: WW Norton, 2002.
Cookson, Peter Jr. and Persell, Caroline Hodges. Preparing for Power: America’s Elite Boarding Schools. New York: Basic Books, 1985.
Hochschild, Adam. Half the Way Home: A Memoir of Father and Son. Viking, 1986.
McNamee, Stephen & Miller, Robert Jr. The Meritocracy Myth. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2004.
Inheritance and Wealth in America. New York: Plenum Press, 1998.
Mogil, Christopher & Slepian, Anne with Pete Woodrow. We Gave Away a Fortune: Stories of People Who Have Devoted Themselves and Their Wealth to Peace, Justice and a Healthy Environment. Gabriola Island, British Columbia: New Society Publishers, 1992.
Otis Graham, Lawrence. Our Kind of People, Inside America’s Black Upper Class . New York: Harper Collins, 1999.
O’Neill, Jessie H. The Golden Ghetto: The psychology of affluence. Hazelden Press, MN. 1997
Ostrander, Susan. Women of the Upper Class . Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1984.
Perry, Ann. The Wise Inheritor . New York: Broadway Books, 2003.
Phillips, Kevin. Wealth and Democracy: A Political History of the American Rich. New York: Broadway Books, 2002.
Pittelman, Karen and Resource Generation with illustrations by Molly Hein. Classified: How to Stop Hiding Your Privilege and Use It For Social Change. Brooklyn, NY: Soft Skull Press. 2006.
Schervish, Paul G. Gospels of Wealth: How the rich portray their lives. Westport, CT: Praeger. 1994.
Veblen, Thorstein. The Theory of the Leisure Class . Penguin, 1994. Originally published in 1899, this is a classic and witty look at the superficial status anxieties of the wealthy and conspicuous consumption.
Willis, Thayer Cheatham. Navigating the Dark Side of Wealth: A Life Guide for Inheritors. Portland, OR: New Concord Press, 2003.
Books About Philanthropy:
Arnove, Robert F. Philanthropy and Cultural Imperialism: The Foundations at Home and Abroad. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1982.
Collins, Chuck, Rogers, Pam and Garner, Joan. Robin Hood Was Right: A Guide to Giving Your Money for Social Change. New York: W.W. Norton, 2001.
Dowie, Mark. American Foundations: An Investigative History. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2001.
Gaudiani, Claire. The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and Can Save Capitalism. New York: Henry Holt, 2003.
Gary, Tracy, and Kohner, Melissa. Inspired Philanthropy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2002.
Odendahl, Theresa. Charity Begins at Home: Generosity and Self-Interest Among the Philanthropic Elite. Basic Books, 1990.
Ostrander, Susan. Money for Change: Social Movement Philanthropy at Haymarket People’s Fund. Temple University Press, 1995.
Wagner, David. What’s Love Got to Do with It?: A Critical Look at American Charity. New York: The New Press, 2000.
