Philanthropy

Listen to “More than Enough” by Fred Smith   My wife, Carol, was sleeping in the passenger seat as we drove past the exit sign for Tyler, Texas. It was 1977 and we were on our [...]

Listen to “Is the Glitter Gone?” by Fred Smith   In 1929, in the grip of a global depression, Americans flocked to theaters to escape the harshness of their lives and catch a [...]

Listen to “What’s the Outlook?” by Fred Smith   The difference between weather and climate is important. Weather alters constantly while climate changes are slow but the [...]

Listen to “The Gospel Drone” by Fred Smith   In 1967 film maker (and devout Christian) Irwin “Shorty” Yeaworth  produced “The Gospel Blimp” as a send-up of the craze [...]

Listen to “Paper Dolls” by Fred Smith   There is no topic more widely discussed and fretted about in family philanthropy than that of donor intent. Horror stories (both true and [...]

Listen to “I Am Somebody” by Fred Smith   Two times in the Gospel of Luke the disciples are caught asking who will be great in the Kingdom. It’s not a bad question. In fact, [...]

Listen to “The Family Farm” by Fred Smith   I’ve had many conversations over the years with friends about the dangers of leaving wealth to children only to ruin them. It’s taken [...]

It was a delight to see two amateurs, which literally means “those who do it for the love of it.” What drew them together was their love of the game.

Listen to “Freely Given” by Fred Smith   On April 6, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson and Congress declared war on Germany. With the same declaration they created the War Chest and [...]

Listen to “Songs of Joy” by Fred Smith   Studies are showing that giving, especially smaller gifts, has increased substantially during the pandemic. In fact, donations to food [...]