The motives of donors of large gifts are both simple and complex. What motivates the wealthy is very much what motivates someone at any point along the economic spectrum, but complexities of ability, spirituality, and association come into play in the making of major gifts.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Paul G. Schervish (2005) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 3 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: