Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Sr., and William H. (Bill) Gates III are well-known American philanthropists. Not as well-known are Charles Loring Brace, founder of the Children's Aid Society, Frederick Harris Goff, founder of the Cleveland Foundation, and Frederick Douglass Patterson, founder of the United Negro College Fund. Notable American Philanthropists: Biographies of Giving and Volunteering fills a void in the literature by bringing together, in one resource, both the well known and not-so-well known figures in American philanthropy. This is a unique collection of profiles of philanthropic leaders who made substantial contributions to American philanthropy either through charitable donations or voluntary service. Notable American Philanthropists, a biographical encyclopedia, includes individuals from different social strata and ethnic backgrounds who represent all of the major philanthropic fields —— the arts, education, environment, health, human services, and religion.

Notable American Philanthropists discusses the charitable activities of more than 110 individuals, spanning the seventeenth century to the present. Entries examine a philanthropist's early years, education, career, philanthropic philosophy and important societal contributions. Profiles, submitted by more than sixty contributing authors, pay close attention to the motivations and justifications behind an individual's philanthropy. Each entry also includes references for further reading, information on the location of personal papers, and a photograph, if available. Profiles in Notable American Philanthropists, approximately four pages in length, are brief. Taken as a whole, however, the collection conveys a diverse portrait of American philanthropy. Susan V. Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation, has provided the Foreword.

Most of the entries in Notable American Philanthropists are historical. One exception is the inclusion of living American philanthropists William H. "Bill" Gates III and George Soros because of their noteworthy contributions to date. Philanthropic families such as Guggenheim, Mellon, and Pew are also included. An impressive timeline of American philanthropy from the 1600s to the present adds value to this already invaluable reference book, while a comprehensive index completes an already easy-to-use resource.

Notable American Philanthropists, which appeals to a broad audience, illustrates the depth of the philanthropic tradition in America. It is a true testament to the individuals who significantly contributed to American society by their dedication to charitable action and voluntary service.

For citations to other materials on this topic, refer to the Literature of the Nonprofit Sector Online, using the subject heading "Philanthropists-biographical directories."