Giving Compass' Take:

• Jon Stryker, founder and President of the Arcus Foundation, discusses why he doesn't demand high praise or named credit for his charitable contributions.  

• Stryker further explains that choosing when to name his charitable gifts after others can be more powerful, influential, and supportive of the work of the foundation. 

• Read more about philanthropists' perspectives of when to use names and when to hold back. 

Jon Stryker, founder and president of the Arcus Foundation, explains how the act and choice of naming gives power and influence to the work we support. Moderated by Van Jones of REFORM Alliance.

Van Jones:  You are one of the least egotistical, self-promoting people to that's ever given away half a billion dollars to make the world a better place. And when you've given this money away - not even usually in your own name - usually in the name of the Arcus brand. Why are you doing so much good and demanding so little credit?

Jon Stryker: ...We named the foundation Arcus, because, first of all, arcus pluvium is the latin word for rainbow and  I'm also an architect, I love the idea of an arc that supports, shelters, and spans distances. And I wanted to kind of be like a rainbow, where it's like a symbol to people of a place to go for resources and for power. So it's not, it's not about me. A lot of people never even see me. They see the people working on the front lines.”

Read the full article about the power of a name from the Ford Foundation.