David Rubenstein, 65, the Baltimore-born co-founder of the private-equity firm the Carlyle Group, practices what he calls patriotic philanthropy. Among his efforts: buying an original 1297 Magna Carta, an Emancipation Proclamation, and a Declaration of Independence for public display. He also gave $7.5 million to fix the earthquake-damaged Washington Monument.

“Philanthropy” comes from an ancient Greek word that means “loving humanity.” It doesn’t have to mean writing checks. I have more money than I really need, so I am giving it away to places that were good to me, or to good causes. Most of my money actually goes to education or medical research. I like to say that if you have a last name like mine and your father was