Charles Garland (philanthropist)

Charles Garland (1898-1971) was an American philanthropist who famously inherited a significant fortune and chose to give nearly all of it away. He was the son of a prominent New York lawyer and financier. Upon his father's death in 1920, Garland inherited a substantial trust fund.

Disturbed by the vast inequalities of wealth in American society and influenced by his socialist leanings, Garland decided he did not want to live off what he considered to be unearned money. He resolved to donate the bulk of his inheritance to charitable causes.

Garland established the American Fund for Public Service, also known as the Garland Fund, in 1922. This fund focused on supporting radical and progressive causes, including labor organizations, civil rights groups, and educational initiatives promoting social change. Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and various labor unions received funding from the Garland Fund.

The Garland Fund operated until 1941, distributing millions of dollars to causes considered controversial at the time. Charles Garland remained largely anonymous for many years, preferring to let the work of the fund speak for itself. He lived a modest life, supporting himself through various jobs, including working as a carpenter and a farmer.

Garland's act of renouncing his wealth and dedicating his life to philanthropy, particularly in support of radical causes, made him a notable, albeit often overlooked, figure in the history of American philanthropy. His story highlights the potential for individuals to use their wealth to address social and economic inequalities, and the complexities involved in supporting controversial but impactful movements.