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Greatest Graduation Gift

Philanthropy

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1. In May 2019, billionaire Robert F. Smith's speech at Morehouse College broke the internet. Why?

He offered job placement for all graduates
He offered to pay for all graduates to attend grad school
He offered to pay off each graduate's student debt
He offered to open investment accounts for all graduates

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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1. In May 2019, billionaire Robert F. Smith's speech at Morehouse College broke the internet. Why?

He offered job placement for all graduates
He offered to pay for all graduates to attend grad school
He offered to pay off each graduate's student debt
He offered to open investment accounts for all graduates

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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2. The amount of student loan debt Smith will pay off for all 400 graduates combined is...

$1 Million
$5 Million
$20 Million
$40 Million

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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2. The amount of student loan debt Smith will pay off for all 400 graduates combined is...

$1 Million
$5 Million
$20 Million
$40 Million

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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3. Someone who donates their money and/or other resources to charitable causes is called...

A philosopher
A philanthropist
An anthropologist
A psychologist

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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3. Someone who donates their money and/or other resources to charitable causes is called...

A philosopher
A philanthropist
An anthropologist
A psychologist

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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4. Smith signed the Giving Pledge, created by Melinda & Bill Gates & Warren Buffett, which is a...

pledge to award scholarship money to college grads yearly
pledge to use at least 50% of one's wealth for philanthropy
pledge to give food to struggling communities on holidays
pledge to use investment profits for social good

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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4. Smith signed the Giving Pledge, created by Melinda & Bill Gates & Warren Buffett, which is a...

pledge to award scholarship money to college grads yearly
pledge to use at least 50% of one's wealth for philanthropy
pledge to give food to struggling communities on holidays
pledge to use investment profits for social good

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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5. Which of the following is a reason why philanthropists might donate to a cause?

A new tax requirement to give annually
A sense of moral imperative (doing the right thing)
A desire to deter their community from improving
A desire to empathize and connect with others

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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5. Which of the following is a reason why philanthropists might donate to a cause?

A new tax requirement to give annually
A sense of moral imperative (doing the right thing)
A desire to deter their community from improving
A desire to empathize and connect with others

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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You’ve completed the exercise, now it’s time to learn

more about the current event:

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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Discussion Prompt:

Do you think a person who doesn’t have access to lots of wealth could still be a philanthropist? Explain.

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE

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Extend Your Learning

Relevant Resources from NGPF:

Mini-Unit: Philanthropy (Mini-Unit)
What is the #1 reason people contribute to crowdfunding? (Question of the Day)
ANALYZE: How America Gives (Activity)

References:

Robert Smith to pay student debt of Morehouse College grads (nbcnews.com)
Who’s Robert F. Smith, billionaire paying Morehouse student loans? (LAtimes.com)
Who is Morehouse billionaire benefactor Robert F. Smith? (cbsnews.com)
Why Robert F. Smith’s pledge to pay off Morehouse loans is a turning point for colleges

and the billionaires that support them (marketwatch.com)

GREATEST GRADUATION GIFT | MAY 24, 2019 EDITION | NEXT GEN PERSONAL FINANCE