Rambam's Ladder: A Meditation of Generosity and Why It Is Necessary to Give
Julie Salamon

Workman Publishing, New York (2003)

Reviewed by Mary Case and Anita Durel

Complex systems can only be built step by step, whereas
destruction requires but an instant…every spectacular incident
of evil will be balanced by 10,000 acts of kindness, too often
unnoted and invisible as the ordinary efforts of the vast majority.
- Stephen Jay Gould

Why are people good? Thus begins Julie Salamon’s meditation on giving, an aspect of goodness. Salamon uses as her organizing principles the prolific writings of twelfth century Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known to his followers as Rambam. Her meditation provides the individual giver, nonprofit leaders, and fundraisers everywhere with a framework that opens the door to understanding generosity, donor motivations and the role nonprofits play in philanthropy.

Rambam argues that the world in inherently out of balance and the impulse behind all giving is to achieve a better balance. His treatise on the poor distills his philosophy on charity into eight steps on a ladder. Review of these steps causes you to consider your own beliefs on issues of proportion (what is the right amount to give?), timing, solicitation, and boundaries – all issues of vital importance in the nonprofit world.

Salamon, a critic for the New York Times, widely published, spends time within the ladder’s structure discussing compassion fatigue, philanthropy as big business, holier-than-thou experiments, celebrity charities, corporate giving, relinquishing control of a gift, and American aid to other countries.

The continuing growth of American nonprofits underscores desperate needs in our communities that can, collectively, overwhelm us and leave us feeling this is “just the way things are.” Instilling confidence, demonstrating that every gift counts, and that investment in our work does make a difference, remains a challenge for charities. One way to personally relieve the fatigue or helplessness is by making thoughtful, targeted gifts--gifts that reflect your values and concern.

Big salaries, bureaucratic structures, and generous endowments in many large institutions arouse suspicion and create an image of giving as a big business—almost a shakedown. That’s one reason why the circumstances that surround philanthropy are measured against the yardstick of accountability. Without the public trust, nonprofits cannot operate.

Just as important in this equation is the role of professional staff in guiding others through this maze as they consider gifts to our institutions. We forget that every member of the organization has a role to play in attracting and retaining supporters to do this good work. We have a responsibility to educate the entire staff on the development process and invite them to play cultivation and stewardship roles.

As you review the ladder, give thought to the way love for humanity as a noble precept helps rebalance the economy. Think about how your own motives for giving may or may not align with getting the job done (feeding the homeless, producing the exhibit, developing the community, educating the children). And seriously incorporate these values into your institutional approach to philanthropy and fundraising. In the end, if you serve your donor’s needs and deeply rooted honorable intentions, you will make a friend for life and you will both feel fulfilled in the partnership.

The Ladder of Charity

8/Responsibility
At the top of the ladder is the gift of self-reliance. To hand someone a gift or a loan, or to enter into a partnership with him, or to find work for him, so that he will never have to beg again.

7/Anonymity
To give to someone you don’t know and do so anonymously.

6/Corruption
To give to someone you know, but who doesn’t know from whom he is receiving help.

5/Boundries
To give to someone you don’t know, but allow your name to be known.

4/Shame
To hand money to the poor before being asked, but risk making the recipient feel shame.

3/Solicitation
To hand money to the poor after being asked.

2/Proportion
To give less to the poor than is proper, but to do so cheerfully.

1/Reluctance
To give begrudgingly.