Philanthropy touches all of us.
It aims to relieve, protect, cushion, inspire, improve, bring joy. It makes a profound difference in our lives and influences our paths. For me, philanthropy has been more than just a concept—it has been a personal journey, shaping my values and guiding my actions from an early age.
Her Name Was Eva
My parents and our faith community taught me my first lesson in philanthropy when I was around six years old. It was a simple yet powerful message – be kind. Help neighbors, friends, and those in need to experience a better life. “Love Thy Neighbor” (Book of Leviticus 19:18). As a family, we did just that in 1969. Our church was a vehicle through which the Fresh Air Fund had an affiliation seeking host families to provide the opportunity for a child from New York City to experience life outside of the city in a rural setting over summer vacation. Our community program was called “Camp Friendly.” To this day, the Fresh Air Fund provides opportunities for New York City youth from underserved communities by investing in a child’s journey to learn, grow and thrive through new experiences in the outdoors.
Conceived in 1887, the idea for the Fresh Air Fund was the brainchild of Reverend Willard Parsons, a minister of a small, rural parish in Sherman, Pennsylvania. He solicited members of the congregation to provide country vacations to New York City’s disadvantaged children. In the first year, the Fresh Air Fund served 60 children and twenty years later served over 100,000 in “Friendly Towns.” A century later, 1,300,000 children have participated since the time my family ‘adopted’ Eva into our family for one summer. Together, we rode bikes, played as kids do, walked in the woods discovering nature. We took Eva to our favorite lake, taught her how to swim and had backyard barbecues. It was a wonderful summer.
Vision, Mission and the Moral Imagination
As I reflect on my role in this expression of philanthropy, I see that Rev. Parsons had a clear vision for giving a child a better life. Using his “moral imagination” he created an intervention for children who would be exposed to life outside inner cities, to meet new friends, to explore new paths to a future unknown, “a voluntary action for the public good” (Payton & Moody, 2008, p. 6). Rev. Parsons’ era harkens back to a time in history demonstrating the “social power of associationalism” as expressed in Nonprofit Organizations, whereby “local community actions support a network in pursuit of special interests” (Anheier & Toepler, 2023, p. 30). The authors further reference Alexis de Tocqueville’s 1830 travelogue, which observes that “Americans of all ages are forever forming associations” to solve problems. This tradition of collective action is vividly reflected in Rev. Parsons’ movement, which embodied the spirit of self-organization and self-governance to create a better life for underprivileged children.
The Fresh Air Fund also exemplifies the ideas in David Smith’s essay on the significance of grassroots philanthropy, where he emphasizes that “dark matter matters.” He highlights how informal philanthropy (dark matter) is often overlooked in sector research, remaining hidden from view. Hosting a child in one’s home was a warm, community-driven form of charity—an approach that operated outside formal structures. Smith argues that research on philanthropy is flawed because it primarily captures only the ten percent of documented charitable giving reported to the federal government (the “bright matter”), while informal philanthropy (the “dark matter”) goes unrecognized. This omission creates a distorted understanding of the nonprofit sector, akin to viewing a ‘flat earth’ rather than a ‘round earth’ depiction of philanthropy, ultimately undervaluing its true impact.
A Brighter Future
Today, I hope Eva is doing well. I hope the experience sparked dreams for her future beyond the inner city. But who are we to say she was not happy in her environment? When is intervention inappropriate? Did Rev. Parsons do the right thing? While these questions linger, one thing is clear—the seeds he planted grew into a movement that gave children the chance to imagine a different future, one filled with new passions, choices, and opportunities.
That movement lives on today. The Fresh Air Fund continues its mission to serve children, evolving over time to reach even more young lives. Its growth into more formally structured camps—now supported by high-profile donors like Mariah Carey (Camp Mariah)—is a testament to its lasting impact and ability to inspire new generations. It teaches students about the connection between education and career opportunities, supporting them in making positive choices, providing leadership opportunities, and a College Connections program. Its evolution embodies the “scientific philanthropy” theory espousing education as a way out of poverty in that it is the “quintessential avenue for fulfilling the dictum ‘Help people to help themselves’” (Payton & Moody, 2008, pp. 143-145).
I’m truly grateful for this early experience in grassroots philanthropy, as it shaped my understanding of the power of community-driven impact from a young age. That same passion continues to drive my work today, helping organizations strengthen their fundraising efforts and expand their reach. Feel free to reach out—I’m just a phone call away! Let’s explore how we can work together to elevate your mission.
References
Anheier, Helmut K. & Toepler, Stefan. (2023). Nonprofit Organizations: Theory, Management, Policy (Third Edition). Routledge Publications.
Payton, Robert L. & Moody, Michael P. (2008). Understanding Philanthropy: Its Meaning and Mission. Indiana University Press.
Smith, David H. (1997). The Rest of the Nonprofit Sector: Grassroots Associations as the Dark Matter Ignored in the Prevailing “Flat Earth” Maps of the Sector. Sage Publications Inc.
The Fresh Air Fund Website. Mission statement: https://freshair.org/
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The author, Deborah Barton, is a Senior Consultant with Global Philanthropic Canada and brings over three decades of exceptional leadership in the nonprofit sector, joining the team in 2025. A dynamic and accomplished fundraising strategist and Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Deborah has spearheaded initiatives that have raised millions for healthcare, cultural, and community organizations across Canada. Highlights of her career include co-leading community engagement for a capital campaign for Canada’s first children’s museum in London, Ontario, and implementing legacy gift programs for causes that have transformed children’s healthcare.
