Raskob's Philanthropy
John Raskob's religious convictions motivated a lifetime of philanthropic action. He gave increasingly of his growing fortune, in sums small and large, to causes personal and international.
Raskob brought coats for paupers, served as "Santa Claus" to Wilmington's orphans, and provided incomes and scholarships to distant acquaintances and worthy individuals. Equally important to him, however, were his attempts to structurally reform the way in which the Catholic church organized its finances and its charitable mission. He provided the initial funding for a permanent charitable foundation to finance the Wilmington Diocese, and insisted on the active involvement of the laity, a principle that informs the activities of the enduring institutions founded by Raskob during his lifetime, The Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, and The Bill Raskob Foundation.
Raskob never failed in his obligation to charitable work. However, in his later years, his bitterness over the political and economic reforms engineered by Roosevelt, the failings and perceived betrayals of partners and protegees, and the increased tax burden on the wealthy began affecting his giving.
Related Correspondence and Documents:
Rev. Edmond J. FitzMaurice, Pastoral Letter -- announces the establishment of the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Wilmington (February 1928)
Raskob to Rev. Francis C. Kelley -- expresses his opinion on church fundraising (June 1929)
Raskob to William V. Griffin (The Commonweal Guaranty Fund) -- discusses donations made to Commonweal and Raskob's dissatisfation with the organization (December 1929)
Rev. Edmond J. FitzMaurice to Raskob -- discusses the dedication of St. Helena's Church (June 1936)
Raskob to Rev. J. J. Roe -- complains about taxation's negative impact on philanthropy (May 1937)
John R. McCrary (National Broadcasting Company) to Raskob -- inquires about the financing and operation of Warm Springs (August 1949)
Image: John J. Raskob, ca. 1950. View image in Hagley Digital Archives