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In this episode we talk to Sharna Goldseker and Michael Moody about their book Generation Impact: How Next Gen Donors are Revolutionizing Giving, which is now available in an updated and expanded 2nd edition. Including:
In what ways are Next Gen donors genuinely different from previous generations? Do Next Gen donors give to significantly different causes than their parentsâ generation, or simply give to the same causes but in different ways? Are Next Gen donors more likely to adopt non-traditional vehicles for their giving? If so, what does this tell us about the limitations of current non-profit models? Do Next Gen donors tend to seek advice on their giving (either at the outset, or on an ongoing basis)? If so, who do they turn to? Whilst almost all Next Gen donors agree that they âwant to see the impact of their givingâ, what they mean by âimpactâ varies considerably- some looking for rigorous metrics and outcome measure, others for human interaction or compelling stories. How can nonprofits cater effectively to these differing notions of impact? Are Next Gen donors more likely to take a holistic view of philanthropy, in relation to how wealth is created, how it is invested etc? What does this mean in practical terms? What are the key differences between inherited and earned wealth and how do they influence approaches to philanthropy? What role does philanthropy play in the planning of wealth transfer within families? (E.g. is philanthropy seen as a tool for engaging the younger generation in the familyâs financial affairs? What sorts of roles are Next Gens playing with regard to their familyâs giving?) Are Next Gen donors more likely to want to blur the boundaries between philanthropy and political activity in order to pursue their aims? Is the desire for more âhands-onâ engagement from Next Gen donors an opportunity to tap into additional skills, or does it present a new challenge in terms of awkward power dynamics? (I.e. is there a danger of Next Gen donors assuming that their knowledge is âbetter/more importantâ than that of people working in nonprofits, simply because of the power dynamics that come with funding?) Should we worry that the growing wave of scepticism, and even cynicism towards philanthropy, will have a negative impact on Next Gen donorsâ willingness to give?Related content:
More detail on the book from Sharnaâs 21/64 website Excerpt of 1st edition of Generation Impact in SSIR More on Next Gen philanthropy from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy -
In this episode we talk to Stelio Stefanou OBE, philanthropist and Founder of the For Babyâs Sake Trust (FBST) - a charity which focuses on working with parents to address the impact of domestic violence on the early years development of children. In a wide-ranging conversation, we discussed:
Is âphilanthropistâ a helpful or unhelpful word? How does a business background shape approaches to philanthropy? Why is it important to recognise that success in business doesnât automatically equate to expertise about social issues or the work of charities? Why is an evidence base so crucial to the work of FBST? How has the organisation worked with academics to build that evidence base? How important is it that philanthropy looks beyond addressing symptoms and tries to address underlying causes? Are there challenges to combining advocacy with direct provision of services, or do the two naturally go hand-in-hand? How has the pandemic affected the work of FBST? What, if anything, is the USP of philanthropy in relation to the public or private sector? Does the ability of philanthropy to work over a longer time horizon make it better suited to supporting early interventions? Do you see yourself as having any responsibility to encourage other wealthy people to give, or is giving entirely down to personal choice? Should philanthropists see themselves as having any responsibility to encourage other wealthy people to give, or is giving entirely down to personal choice? Is there a danger that the growing wave of scepticism, and even cynicism towards philanthropy, will have a negative impact on peopleâs willingness to give? Des fear of âfailureâ hold some wealthy people back from engaging in philanthropy? How should we understand failure in philanthropy (and how is this different to failure in the public or private sector?)Related Links:
For Babyâs Sake Trust website Info on FBSTâs approach to influencing Giving Thought podcast with Jo Kerr and Sonya Ruparel -
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In this episode Rhod sat down with Gemma Bull and Tom Steinberg, authors of new book "Modern Grantmaking: A Guide for Funders Who Believe Better is Possible". In a wide-ranging conversation, we discussed:
Humility & Funder Ego
Why is humility such a key part of Modern Grantmaking? Is part of the problem that traditionally our idea of what it means to be âgood at grantmakingâ has revolved around attributing genius to funders and grantmakers in terms of their choices/program design, rather than on the extent to which they nurture grantees? Do we need to redefine what counts as success and failure in grantmaking?Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Does grantmaking have a diversity problem? Are funders more effective when they reflect more closely the people and communities they serve? In what ways can they achieve this? Do some grantmaking practices exclude people from already-marginalised communities? (E.g. focus on the written-word, invitation-based grantmaking etc.)Privilege & Power
Is traditional grantmaking paternalistic, and too often about decisions being made about communities rather than by them? The book emphasises that modern grantmakers should see themselves as serving the people and communities they fundâ what does this mean in practice? Why is it so important for grantmakers to check their privilege, and what does this mean in practice? How do you navigate power dynamics within a grantmaking org- e.g. between trustees and grantmakers, or between philanthropic donors and the staff of a foundation?Participation & Movements
There is a growing amount of focus on participatory approaches to grantmaking at the moment as part of the solution to the criticisms being levelled at philanthropy. How much of the rhetoric is reflected in reality? Would all grantmaking be participatory in an ideal world? Or are there limits to participatory approaches? i.e. are there some situations in which it is better for expert funders to set aims and design programs? Or are there cause areas in which participatory approaches are not suitable for other reasons? Would it help if more funders supported grassroots organisations and movements?Funding practices
Are there signs that funders are changing their behaviour during the current crisis? (Moving to unrestricted funding, trust-based grantmaking etc.) Is this likely to lead to longer-term changes?Risk and Innovation
Many have argued that a key function of philanthropic funding is to drive society forward by taking risks and funding things that the state and market cannot â but how much current philanthropic grantmaking do you think meets this criterion? Is there a danger that âbeing innovativeâ becomes an end in itself, and results in continual chasing after shiny new things, rather than funding things that are already known to work?Evidence and Impact
The book argues that modern grantmaking requires more of a focus on evidence-based decisions- what kinds of evidence should grantmakers be considering? Do we need to ensure that different kinds of evidence and expertise are considered equally, in order to avoid perpetuating inequalities? What role can data play in making grantmaking more effective and equitable?Related Links:
Modern Grantmaking- the book The Grant Givers Movement Giving Thought podcast with Meg Massey & Hannah Paterson Giving Thought podcast with Nell Edgington Giving Thought podcast with Fozia Irfan -
In this episode we're joined by Lori Bezahler, President of the Edward W. Hazen Foundation, to discuss the role of philanthropy in supporting racial justice and funding grassroots organizing or social movements. Including:
Racial Justice
Is racial injustice such a big/cross-cutting issues that it should not be seen as a cause area, but rather as something that is the responsibility of ALL philanthropic funders and nonprofits? What does this mean in practice re racial justice issues? (E.g. supporting more grantees led by BIPOC leaders, promoting more BIPOC employees into positions of authority within foundations, acknowledging where philanthropic assets have been created in ways that exacerbated racial injustice, paying reparations etc?) Should we be optimistic that the current recognition of the need to apply a racial justice lens across philanthropy will be maintained?The âMovement Momentâ
Is the current enthusiasm for social movements reflective of a frustration people have that traditional nonprofits have failed to move the needle on issues such as the climate crisis or racial justice? Is the fact that participation is inherent to the approach of social movements part of their appeal, as it gives people a greater sense of agency over problems that can seem insurmountable? Are traditional nonprofits and funders too often a reflection of existing systems and power structures to push for the kind of radical solutions we need to deal with huge global, structural challenges? Does the ability of social movements to be more overtly political, or to employ more challenging tactics (e.g. protest, direct action), give them an advantage over civil society organisations (CSOs) that might be more constrained by legal/regulatory requirements? Can movements that have grown to huge scale very quickly find that they are lacking some of the elements of organisations infrastructure that they might need if they are to be sustainable over the longer-term? If so, can traditional CSOs and nonprofits work with them to provide some of that infrastructure? Does this happen in practice?Funding movements
How can a funder determine where best to allocate their resources in order to support a movement most effectively? How big a risk is there that foundations and other funders co-opt social movements by deliberately introducing grant stipulations etc. aimed to direct the focus of the movement away from controversial areas or soften their tactics? Can funding from donors/foundations confer legitimacy on movements as well as financial resources? Is this useful for the movements? Can funders use their power positively on behalf of the movements they fund? Why is core-cost and multi-year funding so important when supporting movements? Are we seeing more funders recognise this and adapt the way they fund?Spending Down
The Hazen Foundation took the bold decision in 2019 to spend down its remaining endowment over 5 years. What was the rationale for doing this at this point, after nearly 100 years of operating? What is the foundation aiming to fund over the coming years to ensure the foundation leaves a strong legacy? Should more foundations should consider spending down?Mission Related Investment
Why did the Hazen Foundation decide to take a fully mission-related investment approach? What does this mean in practice? Does this involve going beyond screening to look for active opportunities to invest in activities that further the foundationâs mission? How are trade-offs between financial return and social impact assessed?Related Links:
The Edward W. Hazen Foundation Loriâs Chronicle of Philanthropy opinion piece, âTo Achieve Justice, Philanthropy Must Give Up Its Powerâ Loriâs joint article with Lateefah Simon in Chronicle of Philanthropy, âHow Foundations Can Grapple With the Reality That Their Wealth Was Accumulated Unjustlyâ Loriâs piece for Inside Philanthropy, âPhilanthropy Has a Duty to Respond Quickly to the COVID-19 Outbreak. Hereâs How We Can Do Itâ Our Giving Thought podcast interview with Regan Ralph Our Giving Thought podcast interview with Megan Ming Francis Rhodâs Medium article, âLanguage Barriers: why the ways in which we talk about philanthropy & civil society are holding us backâ -
In this episode we talk to Jo Kerr and Sonya Ruparel, from UK charity Turn2Us, about poverty, participation and the impact of the pandemic. Including:
Impact of Covid Pandemic
How has the Covid 19 pandemic affected Turn 2 Us, and the people and communities the charity serves? What are the biggest challenges for the organisation over the coming months and longer-term post-pandemic?Digital Transformation
Has the necessity to adapt due to the pandemic accelerated Turn2Usâs digital adoption or transformation at all? If so, how? How important is the collection and use of data to the charityâs work? How is a focus on data incorporated into the organisationâs strategy? To what extent is digital transformation about employment practices rather than technology? (E.g. flexible/remote working, making charity work more appealing than private or public sector). Has the pandemic presented an opportunity in this regard? How might the charity workplace change over the next decade or so? What are the major barriers to the charity sector when it comes to engaging with and making use of technology?Poverty
What, for Turn 2 Us, are the key areas of focus when it comes to tackling poverty? How have issues of poverty changed during the pandemic? Do particular communities or geographic localities face particular challenges when it comes to the impacts of poverty? How do you combine the specificity to address these particular challenges with the generality required to work at scale?Role of charities
What is the core role of civil society which differentiates it from either state or market provision? A lot of the work of Turn 2 Us is about helping people to understand and claim rights and benefits provided by the state- so is it more about âjusticeâ than âcharityâ? How should we view the balance between addressing the symptoms of poverty through direct services and addressing its causes through advocating for fundamental systemic reform?Participation & Power
Turn 2 Usâs approach is rooted in ideas of co-production and empowering those in need to determine their own solutions. Why is this so important? What should we make of approaches such as participatory grantmaking, which seek to shift power as well as money towards recipients? Will we see more of this in coming years?Infrastructure
Has the Covid pandemic highlighted the importance of strong civil society infrastructure? What are the key elements of this infrastructure? How do we ensure that infrastructure is fit for the challenges of the future?Related Links
The Turn2Us website Independent article about Turn2Us new benefits calculator, âThe new financial tools supporting those hit hardest by Covidâ Rhodâs Giving Thought blog on âMutual Aid, Charity & Philanthropyâ Rhodâs Giving Thought blog on âPhilanthropy and Civil Society after Covid-19: Key questions for the futureâ Our Giving Thought podcast series on âCovid 19: Voices From Civil Societyâ -
In this episode we talk participatory approaches in philanthropy and social investment, with Meg Massey, co-author of âLetting Go: How Philanthropists and Impact Investors Can Do More Good by Giving Up Controlâ and Hannah Paterson, Senior Portfolio Manager at the National Lottery Community Fund. Including:
There is a growing amount of focus on participatory approaches to grantmaking at the moment as part of the solution to the criticisms being levelled at philanthropy. How much of the rhetoric is reflected in reality? If there is resistance to adopting participatory approaches, why is this? Whatâs the core case for adopting participatory approaches: that it democratises philanthropy (and thus helps to answer various critiques) or that it results in better outcomes? Or is it both? What different kinds of models of participatory grantmaking are there? What kind of challenges are there for traditional grantmakers when it comes to bringing communities and people with lived experience into decision making processes? Do participants in a grantmaking decision process need to be representative of a wider community? If so, how do you select them to ensure that representation? How can existing grantmakers transition some or all of their grantmaking to participatory methods? Would all grantmaking be participatory in an ideal world? Or are there limits to participatory approaches? i.e. are there some situations in which it is better for expert funders to set aims and design programs? Or are there cause areas in which participatory approaches are not suitable for other reasons? Can participatory approaches be used outside traditional grantmaking too, e.g. in impact investing/social investment? Does the prominence of XR, BLM and other ânew powerâ organisations suggest an unmet demand within civil society for participation and sharing power? What lessons should traditional CSOs and funders take from this? What should we make of criticisms that since philanthropy is to some extent a product of structural inequality, it can never truly be part of the solution? Are some donors and funders recognise the challenges and are genuinely pursuing structural change?Related Links
Megâs new book (co-authored with Ben Wrobel) âLetting Go: How Philanthropists and Impact Investors Can Do More Good by Giving Up Controlâ Meg on Twitter Hannahâs website Hannah on Twitter The Participatory Grantmaking community Meg and Benâs article for Pioneers Post âHow philanthropists and impact investors can do more good â by giving up controlâ Meg and Benâs article for NonProfit Quarterly âPhilanthropy and the Zen of Participationâ Rhodâs World Economic Forum article, âPhilanthropy is at a turning point. Here are 6 ways it could goâ CAF Giving Thought podcast on participatory philanthropy with Rose Longhurst -
On this episode we talk to Teddy Schleifer, Senior Reporter, Money & Influence at Recode (part of the Vox Media group), about billionaires, Silicon Valley and philanthropy. Including:
Silicon Valley Philanthropy
Do most tech billionaires see their wealth as âself-madeâ, or do they recognise any sense of societal debt, luck etc? How does this shape their giving? How does the wider public view the philanthropy of modern tech billionaires? Are tech donors particularly prone to solutionism or a desire for âmoonshotsâ in their philanthropy? Are many big tech donors happy with the idea of giving away power as well as money? Or are they likely to want to retain control of decision-making about their philanthropy? Does this make them any different to other big money donors? Are donors like Mackenzie Scott, who seem to be trying to shift power as well as financial resources through her philanthropy, merely outliers; or do they signal a wider trend?Reporting on Philanthropy
Why is it important to have journalists focussing on philanthropy? How do you balance focussing on the individual stories of philanthropists vs systemic issues about philanthropy as a whole? Is there an argument for more philanthropic funding of journalistic scrutiny of philanthropy? Could increased philanthropic funding of news media actually undermine journalismâs ability to hold philanthropy itself to account? (E.g. if outlets self-censor to avoid upsetting existing or potential patrons).Critiques of Philanthropy
Is there a danger that scrutiny can tip over into cynicism when it comes to philanthropy? Should we worry that the growing wave of scepticism, and even cynicism towards philanthropy, will have a negative impact on peopleâs willingness to give? Of the current critiques levelled at philanthropy, which are potentially misguided or overstated, and which are genuinely important to heed? Do these critiques only really apply to big money/elite philanthropy?Transparency in Philanthropy
Do wealthy donors deliberately use philanthropy to deflect or preclude criticism of their business dealings, tax affairs etc, or are reputational benefits merely a side-effect of genuinely altruistic behaviour in some cases? Do foundations (and donors) need to be more transparent? If so, why and about what? Who does it benefit (the foundations themselves, their donors, grantees, taxpayers etc.) Should we be concerned about the growing trend for elite donors to use LLCs and other vehicles that may be less transparent?Related Links
Some of Teddyâs Recode articles: âWhat Americans really think about billionaires during the pandemicâ Jeff Bezos will spend $1 billion a year to fight climate change Americaâs billionaire philanthropists gave away more during the pandemic. But thereâs a catch MacKenzie Scott, the Amazon billionaire, is giving away $1 billion a month to charity Jeff Bezos plays it safe on his $10 billion climate giveaway CAF Giving Thought podcast on âMackenzie Scott and the Reimagining of Philanthropyâ. CAF Giving Thought podcast on âJeff Bezos, Big Philanthropy and Climate Changeâ Rhodâs 2020 Alliance article âBezosâ $10bn donation should not pitch philanthropy and taxation against each other â that would be a zero-sum gameâ Rhodâs 2018 Alliance article âPhilanthropy should fund the media for its own sakeâ -
In this episode we talk to Denis Mizne, CEO of Lemann Foundation - Brazilâs largest educational funder â about philanthropy in Brazil during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Lemann Foundationâs pivot to supporting vaccine trials in the country. Including:
Vaccination
How and why did Lemann Foundation get involved in Covid vaccine trials? How does this fit with the foundations normal focus on education and leadership, and will it result in any shift of focus longer-term? Is there a danger that ongoing controversies about the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, and about the distribution of vaccines more broadly will have a knock-on impact on trust in philanthropy?Education & Leadership
How has the Covid pandemic affected education in Brazil and what has Lemann Foundation done in response? Will the pandemic have a lasting impact on childrenâs education in the country and how is the foundation adapting its strategy to reflect this? A key focus of Lemann Foundationâs funding is developing leadership- what is the theory behind this? Are their challenges when it comes to assessing the impact of leadership development, where timescales may be very long-term and outcomes may be widely dispersed and difficult to link to interventions? Are foundations uniquely well-placed to follow these kinds of long-term/upstream strategies?Philanthropy in Brazil
What does the landscape of philanthropy in Brazil look like? E.g. how much HNWI giving is there? How much mass market giving? What role does corporate philanthropy play? What role do foundations play? What kind of domestic causes receive philanthropic funding in Brazil? Is there any cross-border giving to other countries? What is the attitude of the Brazilian government towards civil society in general? What is the attitude of the Brazilian government towards philanthropy? What is the attitude of the Brazilian public towards philanthropy?Philanthropy in Wider Context
What is the core role of philanthropy within society which differentiates it from either state or market provision? Do recent critiques of philanthropy in the US and elsewhere resonate in the Brazilian context? Why should we not see philanthropy as the âsolutionâ to intractable social problems in isolation, and how do we get better cross-sector collaboration?Related links
https://fundacaolemann.org.br/en Denisâs Alliance Magazine article âVaccination and collaboration: what we can achieve in a divided worldâ Denisâs Alliance magazine article âWe must develop talent and leadership to meet the challenges of the post-Covid worldâ Interview with Denis about Lemann Foundationâs vaccine trial work in Alliance magazine (ÂŁ) CAFâs Global Alliance partner in Brazil, IDIS CAFâs 2019 Brazil Giving report Rhodâs article for Stanford Social Innovation Review (with Paula Fabiani from IDIS) âBrazilâs New Endowment Law Could Strengthen Philanthropy and Democracy Around the Globeâ -
In this episode we talk to Andy Haldane, Chief Economist of the Bank of England about his long-standing interest in civil society, why he thinks it is so important yet undervalued, and what sort of challenges and opportunities the coming years may bring. We also have some analysis and additional insight from CAF CEO Neil Heslop.
Including:
The economy and charitable giving
If the UK economy is like a âcoiled springâ, and once lockdown measures are relaxed we will see a significant bounce-back as people start to spend again, will we also see a corresponding rise in charitable giving? Are there any concerns that some charities will have lost operational and fundraising capacity as a result of the pandemic, and this might limit their ability to harness any increase in giving?The Role of Civil Society
What is the core role of the voluntary sector within society which differentiates it from either state or market provision? As the landscape for doing good appears to be expanding (with the emergence of mutual aid networks, digital social movements, purpose-led businesses, impact investing etc) do we need to make a renewed case for the unique value of charitable organisations? If so, what is that USP? Should we have any concerns that some of our models for engaging in civil society have become too transactional and thus may not be developing social capital in the way we might want?Measurement
Many argue that a major challenge facing civil society is that most current systems of measurement do not capture the full value of what charities and other civil society organisations do. What should we be measuring instead? Is this more about better measurement within civil society, or about changing the measures government uses (e.g. GDP) so that they capture a wider notion of value? Or is it both? What would this entail in practice? Are there potential risks in putting more emphasis on measurement? E.g. that any measures become targets and thus skew activity (a la Goodhartâs Law); or that the decision about who gets to set measures introduces problematic power dynamics?Civil Society Narratives & Influence
Andy has previously argued that âdespite its crucial role, the social sector goes largely unnoticed in many policy discussionsâ- is this primarily due to the current lack of appropriate measurement, or are there wider issues when it comes to our understanding and narratives around civil society? How can we get better understanding and clearer narratives about civil society and its role in the minds of policymakers? Are there any practical barriers that are currently limiting the ability of civil society to âhave a seat at the tableâ when it comes to policy discussions? What could we do to overcome these?Infrastructure
The pandemic has highlighted more starkly than ever how vital it is to have strong infrastructure in civil society. Where are the greatest weaknesses or biggest gaps in existing infrastructure that we need to address? How do we get government to think of social infrastructure alongside physical infrastructure? What might civil society infrastructure that is fit for the future (rather than based on the structures of the past) look like?Digital
Evidence suggest that the charity sector is currently lagging behind in its adaptation to digital technology. What are the key barriers preventing charities from harnessing digital? How can we address these? What more could be done to match the existing supply of skills and capacity around technology in the private sector with the potential demand in civil society. How might this work? What role would the private sector, government and the charity sector need to play in making it happen? Will the current period of enforced digitisation as a consequence of the COVID pandemic lead to more CSOs engaging with the opportunities and challenges of technology?Civil Society in the 4th Industrial Revolution
Civil society played a key role in previous periods of rapid social and technological change - by helping people and communities to navigate challenges and opportunities, and by speaking out against any unintended harms of progress. Is civil society in a position to play this vital role in the current Fourth Industrial Revolution? If not, why not? What do we need to do to strengthen civil society capacity in this regard? What are some of the biggest opportunities that emerging technology could bring for civil society? Could widespread automation lead to a blurring of the boundaries between our notions of work, volunteering and leisure? Will we need to adjust our understanding and narratives of civil society accordingly? Should civil society organisations make a case for their value as sources of knowledge and insight about the potential impacts of technology on people and communities, which can help to inform wider policy debates about technological development?Related Links:
Andyâs speech for the Pro Bono Economics 10th anniversary lecture, âThe Third Pillar and the Fourth Industrial Revolutionâ FT, âAndy Haldane: Bring charities out of the technological dark agesâ Civil Society, âCharities 'underestimated and overshadowedâ says Bank of England chief economistâ Civil Society âAndy Haldane: Covid-19 has reinforced the values of community purpose and social solidarityâ The Guardian, âAndy Haldane: âWe have allowed the voluntary sector to witherââ Andyâs speech for Charity Finance Week 2020, âThe Role of Charities in an Era of Anxietyâ Andyâs slides for his 2020 lecture, âThe Health, Wealth & Happiness of Nationsâ Mark Carneyâs CAF Giving Thought podcast, âPhilanthropy, civil society and COVID-19: what now, what next?â CAFâs âA Covid-19 Philanthropy Stimulus Packageâ policy paper, 2020 Rhodâs WEF article, âWhere are the charities in the great AI debate?â Rhodâs Alliance magazine piece, âRiding the tiger of technological changeâ -
In this episode we talk to Nanjira Sambuli about technology, philanthropy and civil society. Nanjira is a researcher, policy analyst and advocacy strategist based in Nairobi, Kenya and in a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion we touched on:
Digital civil society
Is there any meaningful distinction between âcivil societyâ and âdigital civil societyâ now? I.e. is technology no longer something that should be seen as a cause area or a tool, but a cross-cutting factor that affects all CSOs? What dangers are there for CSOs in assuming that platforms are objective or neutral public spaces? Are these problems likely to be made worse by the enforced pivot to digital for so many orgs as a result of COVID? How do we link existing work by digital activists etc. to more traditional actors within civil society (e.g. foundations) that might be interested in engaging on technology issues?Influencing the wider development & implementation of tech
Can CSOs play a meaningful role in ensuring that tech is designed and implemented ethically? Is this even the right framing? Does the focus on âethicalâ tech development beg the question of whether we should even do some of these things at all (and not just âdo them ethicallyâ)? Does it divert attention from the need for more traditional mechanisms of legislation and regulation? Do CSOs from the âglobal southâ face particular challenges when it comes to influencing the development of tech? What role can foundations and funders can play in helping nonprofits engage with technological change?Power Dynamics
What challenges do the inherent power imbalances between CSOs and tech companies create? Do power imbalances within civil society also pose challenges? (E.g. between funders and recipients, or between CSOs in the global north and those in the global south?) Do we need to make philanthropy more democratic, or accountable to the people and communities it is supposed to serve? If so, how?Automation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Should we take an optimistic or pessimistic view of the impact of technology on civil society? Should we be worried that CSOs and funders are not getting to grips with either the challenges or opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution? What role is there for CSOs in addressing the impact of algorithmic bias? Is such bias likely to affect CSOs themselves? If so, how?The Future Role of Philanthropy in Society
What should we make of criticisms that since philanthropy is to some extent a product of existing structural inequality, it can never truly be part of the solution? Are the donors and funders who recognise these challenges and are genuinely pursuing structural change? Does the fact that a growing proportion of philanthropic wealth comes from donors who have made their money in tech present challenges when it comes to getting philanthropy to focus on the societal impacts of technology? E.g. Are these tech donors particularly prone to âtech solutionismâ or more likely to assume the inevitability of technological development?Predictions and Foresight in civil society:
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of looking ahead to the future. How can we get more foresight and futures thinking embedded in civil society? What role could foundations and funders play? What role should civil society and philanthropic funders be playing in developing imagined futures that are informed by the voices of people and communities on the ground around the world?Related links
Nanjira on Twitter Nanjiraâs recent article for WINGS, âOn the Patient Capital Needed from Philanthropy in Techâ. Video of the WINGS Forum 2021 event on âPhilanthropy and the Digital Revolutionâ that Nanjira and I were both involved in. âWhat is Digital Equality?â Interview with Nanjira Sambuliâ in European Sting Rhodâs WEF articles, âPhilanthropy is at a Turning Point: Here are 6 Ways it could goâ and âWhere are Charities in the Great AI Debate?â Our CAF Giving Thought podcasts with Lucy Bernholz and Cassie Robinson. Rhodâs 2018 Alliance article âRiding the Tiger of Technological Changeâ -
In this episode we talk to Nell Edgington, President of non-profit consultancy Social Velocity, about her new book âReinventing Social Change: Embrace Abundance to Create a Healthier and More Equitable Worldâ. We discuss:
What is the book about, who should read it and what should they do as a result? Why does a scarcity mind-set affect so many donors and funders? Is this particular to philanthropy? Why is the âoverhead mythâ so prevalent, and why is it so problematic? Are there signs that funders are changing their behaviour during the current crisis? (Moving to unrestricted funding, trust-based grantmaking etc.) Is this likely to lead to longer-term changes? What misconceptions are there about what makes for a sustainable non-profit, and why do these misunderstandings persist? How many donors are willing to give away power as well as money? (And will the current crisis put even more focus on approaches such as participatory grantmaking?) Do we need to redefine what counts as success and failure in philanthropy? How should we rate philanthropyâs response to the current crisis? What is the core role of philanthropy within society which differentiates it from either state or market provision? Why has the idea that non-profits need to be âmore business-likeâ become so widespread? What is wrong with it? Should we seek to measure impact better? What challenges might this bring in terms of distorting activity or creating power imbalances? How can donors and funders use philanthropy to challenge or transform the very systems in which wealth has been created?Related Links
Nellâs book Reinventing Social Change Nellâs Social Velocity blog Rhodâs WEF article âPhilanthropy is at a Turning Point: Here are 6 Ways It Could Goâ CAF Giving Thought podcast with Phil Buchanan CAF Giving Thought podcast with Kris Putnam-Walkerly CAF Giving Thought podcast with Louise Pulford, Josiane Smith & Dame Julia Unwin CAF Giving Thought blog âPhilanthropy and Civil Society after Covid-19: Key questions for the futureâ -
In this episode we talk to Professor Sir David Cannadine about history, philanthropy and his forthcoming book on the history of the Ford Foundation. Among Davidâs many public roles he is Dodge Professor of History at Princeton University, President of the British Academy, Chair of Trustees of the National Portrait Gallery and a Trustee of the Wolfson Foundation; and in a wide ranging conversation we discuss:
Involvement in philanthropy:
What insights has involvement with many charities, foundations and public institutions given about the strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities of philanthropy? What value has historical insight brought to these practical roles? There is currently a lot of controversy over the commemoration of historical figures, including many philanthropic donors, as well as the sources of historical wealth. Why is it important for philanthropic organisations to engage with potentially problematic elements of their history, and how can they navigate some of the challenges this may bring?Studying the History of Philanthropy:
Do academic historians think in terms of charity or philanthropy as a standalone thematic area of study, or are they more likely to think of it in the context of a particular period or a wider theme (e.g. welfare)? If it is thought of as a thematic area in its own right, is it one that has been sufficiently well-studied? Is the study of the history of philanthropy (even in the UK) too US-focussed; dominated by the great industrial donors of the Gilded Age? Does this lead us to under-appreciate the UKâs own history of philanthropy? Does âarchival inequalityâ mean that we end up focusing more on institutions and big name donors when we study history (as they tend to leave more records), at the expense of the huge numbers of âeverydayâ donors whose giving may well go unseen? Does this skew our view of the development of philanthropy?The History of the Ford Foundation:
Why is it worth studying the role of an institution like the Ford Foundation? Is the history of the Ford Foundation merely the history of a single institution or does it bring to light wider truths about philanthropy? The history of the Ford Foundation contains many fascinating characters (e.g. McGeorge Bundy or Paul Ylvisaker). Is the role of these âphilanthropoidsâ (i.e. people who work in foundations, rather than donors) an under-researched area of the history of philanthropy? The question of the relationship between foundations and social movements (especially in the context of racial justice) is once again a major area of debate. What, if anything, can we learn from the Ford Foundationâs experiences in this area, which have seemingly won both praise and criticism?Related Links
Davidâs introduction to Pellew & Goldman (ed) 2018, Dethroning Historical Reputations: Universities, Museums & The Commemoration of Benefactors Rhodâs blog for the British Academy, âReshaping Philanthropy for the 21st Centuryâ CAF Giving Thought blog, âPast Caring: Why Study the History of Philanthropy?â CAF Giving Thought blog, âPhilanthropy and the Sins of the Pas: Statues, Slavery & Tainted Donationsâ CAF Giving Thought podcast on Tainted Donations CAF Giving Thought podcast with Paul Ramsbottom from the Wolfson Foundation CAF Giving Thought podcast with Ben Soskis Rhodâs book, âPublic Good by Private Means: How Philanthropy Shapes Britainâ -
In this episode we look at the relationship between sport, philanthropy and civil society through history and up to the present day. Including:
Sportspeople as donors
Big name examples of sportspeople who give generously: David Beckham, Roger Federer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams, Andre Agassi What drives this high-profile giving? Altruism, or brand-management/PR? Lance Armstrong and the potential risks of making philanthropy over-reliant on the individual Does the fact that many sportspeopleâs careers end relatively early leave them searching for purpose, and can philanthropy fill that gap? Can philanthropy be partly motivate by a desire to create positive narrative about wealth accrued through sport? Is sport one area where people from poor backgrounds can become rich, and what does this mean for their approach to philanthropy?Sportspeople as campaigners
Are some sportspeople perceived as campaigners simply by virtue of who they are? When have sportspeople campaigned for change within their sport and when have they taken on wider social issues? After many notable examples of campaigning by sportspeople in the 1960s and 70s, why did we see a decline in the 1980s and 1990s? Are we seeing a resurgence in campaigning by sportspeople, with figures like Colin Kapaernick, Megan Rapinoe and Marcus Rashford coming to the fore? How do sports fans perceive campaigning by sportspeople?Sports and Fundraising
The long history of sporting charity fundraising events and the role of charity matches in the evolution of professional football Sportspeople fundraising: from the traditional of testimonial matches to raise money for playersâ retirements to sportspeople taking on charity fundraising challenges in other sports Has the pandemic hit sports fundraising particularly hard, and what does this mean for charities that rely on running events etc?Sports clubs and civil society
What is the history of the relationship between sports clubs and voluntary associations? How did the development of sporting associations helped to foster civic engagement skills and ideals of mutual aid? What is the role of modern sports clubs as corporate donors? Is owning sports club a form of philanthropy� What role do clubs play in acting as community anchors and giving people a sense of shared identity? How can this inform social action?Related Links
CAF Giving Thought blog on Marcus Rashford, Dolly Parton & Public Perceptions of Philanthropy CAF Giving Thought blog on mutual aid post-Covid CAF Giving Thought podcast on mutual aid, charity & philanthropy CAF Giving Thought podcast with Jon Dean 2013 NY Times article about Lance Armstrongâs philanthropy HistPhil article âGiving Athletes: Why Sports Philanthropy Deserves Our Attentionâ Forbes, âThe New Wave of Female Soccer Players as Philanthropistsâ BBC article, âWhy Wealthy Sport Stars Get Passionate About Charityâ The Common Goal Initiative The PFA page on player foundations Kay & Vamplew, âBeyond altruism: British football and charity, 1877â1914â Vamplew, ââIt is pleasing to know that football can be devoted to charitable purposes': British football and charity 1870â1918â -
In this episode we explore mutual aid: what is it, why is there so much interest in it right now and how does it relate to charity and philanthropy? Including:
Defining the distinction between mutual aid and charity William Beveridgeâs thoughts on mutual aid Peter Kropotkin and mutual aid as a fundamental element of human nature How does mutual aid relate to notions of solidarity and class identity? Why has mutual aid historically been so important for marginalised groups such as immigrant communities? Medieval mutual aid: the guilds Why did mutual aid become so prominent in the 19th century? What were the Friendly Societies, why were they important and why are they no longer around? How does mutual aid fit in with the post-WWII development of the voluntary sector? Why has mutual aid become so prominent as an idea during the pandemic? Is this a reflection of the unique circumstances of the pandemic or will it herald any longer-term changes in civil society? Does the enthusiasm for mutual aid networks demonstrate an unmet appetite for greater participation in addressing social causes? Is there a dark side to mutual aid? Can solidarity become exclusionary? Will the growth of mutual aid come at the cost of more traditional charitable giving and volunteering? Do mutual aid networks build social capital? If so, is it merely âbondingâ social capital or also âbridgingâ? What is the role of technology in making mutual aid networks possible? What can we learn from other cultures of giving around the world in which mutual aid is much more prominent?Related Links
CAF Giving Thought blog, âCharity, Philanthropy & Mutual Aidâ CAF Giving Thought blog âPhilanthropy & Civil Society post-Covid: Key questions for the futureâ Excerpt from unpublished Giving Thought discussion paper on the science of giving: "Altruism, Evolution and Economics" CAF research on giving in East Africa NLGN report Communities vs. Coronavirus: The Rise of Mutual Aid Guardian long read, âThe way we get through this is together': the rise of mutual aid under coronavirusâ New Yorker, âWhat Mutual Aid Can Do During a Pandemicâ Bloomberg, "A Visual History of Mutual Aid" Peter Kropotkinâs âMutual Aid: A Factor of Evolutionâ -
In this episode we take a look at the philanthropic giving of MacKenzie Scott (former wife of Jeff Bezos), who has garnered a great deal of attention and praise for the scale, pace and approach of her philanthropy. We ask: what are the key aspects of received wisdom about giving that she is rejecting? And will this lead to wider changes in how big money philanthropy works in future? Including:
-Rejecting the myth of the "self-made billionaire", in favour of recognition that luck, privilege & reliance on wider society are always factors in wealth creation.
-Rejecting the Carnegian idea that "it's harder to give money away intelligently than earn it", and that if you're willing to cede power & give unrestricted grants it's actually eminently possible.
-Rejecting the idea that philanthropy needs to be done slowly, or that it should aim towards perpetuity.
-Rejecting the idea that grants need to be restricted or short-term.
-Rejecting the idea that the donor has all the answers or should set the agenda
-Rejecting the idea that being "strategic" means being top-down or technocratic.
-Rejecting the idea that we need to maintain distance between donor and grantee, or avoid human connection in philanthropy.
-Rejecting the idea that philanthropy by itself can ever be a solution to inequality.
-Rejecting the idea that philanthropy needs to be secretive or opaque.
Related Links:
MacKenzie Scott's July 2020 and December 2020 Medium posts Vox article on MacKenzie Scott's philanthropy Marker piece on MacKenzie Scott's background story Giving Thought podcast with Paul Vallely Giving Thought podcast on Jeff Bezos, Big Philanthropy and Climate Change Giving Thought podcast on philanthropy and structure Giving Thought podcast on philanthropy and rationality Giving Thought podcast on philanthropic pledges
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In this episode we unpick the complex relationship between philanthropy and democracy. Does philanthropy undermine democracy, or strengthen it? Do we need to make philanthropy itself more democratic? And if so, how?
Including:
Does philanthropy automatically introduce a âplutocratic biasâ into public discourse and policy? Is lack of transparency a particular issue? Does the trend towards using structures like LLCs exacerbate this problem? Does the ability of individuals at any level of wealth to associate within civil society lead to the dangers of âfactionâ - with minority groups able to exert an undue negative influence on the democratic system? How does this relate to digitally-enabled conspiracy groups like QAnon? Does perpetuity in philanthropy result in intergenerational injustice as a result of the âdead hand of the donorâ? What role does philanthropy play in giving voice and power to marginalised groups and thus overcoming âthe tyranny of the majorityâ in a democracy? How does civil society campaigning and advocacy strengthen democracy? What role can philanthropy play in the countering disinformation and online extremism that has tarnished the public sphere? Can philanthropic support for public interest journalism bolster democracy? Can big money philanthropy be justified on the grounds of its ability to drive innovation & âdiscoveryâ? What role does philanthropy play in enabling a âbattle of Ideasâ, and is this to the benefit or detriment of democracy? Is voluntary action a ânursery school of democracyâ, as many have argued? Do we need to democratise philanthropy itself? Does this need to be with respect to donors or recipients, or both? What models are there for doing so?Related Links:
Giving Thought blog âDoes Philanthropy Help or Hinder Democracy?â Giving Thought discussion paper, âFrom the Margins to the Mainstream: Philanthropy & Social Movements Furthering Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Societyâ Rhodâs Cass Business School Masterâs course lecture on âPrinciples of Philanthropy Policymakingâ Stanford Social Innovation Review, âHow Can Philanthropy Help Rehabilitate US Democracy?â Rob Reichâs book âJust Giving: Why Philanthropy is Failing Democracy and How it Can Do Betterâ Sir Arthur Hobhouseâs book âThe Dead Handâ Giving Thought podcast interviews with Rob Reich, Lucy Bernholz, Sameer Padania, Paul Vallely and Rose Longhurst. Giving Thought deep-dives on philanthropy and structure; philanthropy, risk and innovation; philanthropy diversity & inclusion; Effective Altruism; philanthropy and the welfare state -
In this episode, at the end of a tumultuous and unpredictable year, we attempt (wisely or not!) to give some predictions for what 2021 might bring...
ECONOMIC DOWNTURN Impact of Pandemic & Brexit: more demand, charity finances hit, less giving? Charity closures/mergers? Reimagining resilience? Political Division Ongoing division Ongoing politicisation of charity/culture wars Closing space for civil society Foreign funding restrictions Nationalism/Globalism/Localism Will the pandemic make us think for locally, nationally or globally? Will we see more moves towards devolution? Philanthrolocalism The Post-Pandemic workplace How will changes made through necessity during the pandemic affecting the charity workplace longer term? Will we see more orgs thinking through the optimum balance offline and online for their work as we become more aware of the strengths and weaknesses of both (e.g. efficiency and ability to reach wider geographic area vs value of offline serendipity, human connection) Will there continue to be more adoption of remote/mixed working? Will we see orgs change how they think about the purpose of the office? Will this begin a geographic rebalancing of the charity sector workforce?
The Expanding landscape for doing good Further expansion of space for âdoing goodâ as we see more networked movements, informal P2P giving, mutual aid groups, corporates with purpose etc. What is the USP of charities in this context? Rebalancing of corporate/charity relationships as companies lay claim to purpose? Continuing rise of networked movements Continuing interest in Mutual Aid? The participation premium- what can charities learn? Cross cutting issues Will the focus on racial justice/equality decline across wider society as we move further away from this yearâs momentum around BLM? Can civil society take a lead in maintaining that momentum? Will we see the focus on climate renewed? Will these issues increasingly be seen not as âcause areasâ, but as cross-cutting concerns that all CSOs need to take into account? What does this mean in practice- e.g. re investment approaches, leadership in civil society, composition of the non-profit workforce etc? Post-pandemic Philanthropic funding trends Unrestricted/core cost/trust based grantmaking. Will the trend continue? More collaboration Push for centralisation Continuing pushback on impact measurement More participatory approaches New areas of funding focus: social movements infrastructure digital foresight Journalism Philanthropy Under Fire Ongoing critiques: Tainted donations (expect more examples) Anti-democratic nature of big philanthropy Philanthropy part of the problem re inequality New critiques: Pace, perpetuity (e.g. US DAF legislation) Philanthropy & conspiracy theories Mass Giving What is happening to giving? Long term decline or not? Giving pulled forward in response to the pandemic, or increased overall? Will we see more big philanthropy focussed on encouraging mass giving? Disintermediation & Platform Philanthropy Acceleration of existing growth of online giving due to pandemic will put more emphasis on platforms, leading to: more focus on responsibilities of those platforms (Neutrality of platforms/advisers under greater scrutiny Further moving away from donors giving to orgs towards P2P giving/crowdfunding Use of payment apps (Venmo/CashApp) to give direct to individuals More commercial platforms offering giving functionality Awareness of Platform dependency Risks CSOs will become more aware that platforms are not digital public space Examples of platform dependency risks: Terms of Service changes Censorship Engagement of civil society in tech issues Will the enforced pivot to digital during the pandemic lead to wider awareness of, and engagement in, technology issues? Growing interest in civil society alternatives to commercial digital infrastructure? Continuing pushback on tech ethics framing? AI trends Further development of giving via conversational AI interfaces (and growing awareness of opportunities & challenges)? More examples of use of AI for process automation, e.g. in grantmaking? Immersive Tech More supporter led fundraising using short-form video content (TikTok-style)? VAR becomes more popular; more examples of it being used for fundraising? Further forays into gaming and E-sports for fundraising? Cryptocurrency & blockchain Renewal of interest in crypto-philanthropy? More examples of practical/ ethical challenges (e.g. anonymous donations from problematic sources, volatility of crypto-assets). Cybersecurity & RegTech challenges Ransomware/cyber attacks on charities increase (linked to increase in remote working?)
Related Links:
Rhodâs Alliance magazine piece on âThe Ethics of Platform Philanthropyâ Rhodâs guest appearance on Zoe Amar and Paul Thomasâs Starts At The Top podcast CAF report on global responses to supporting philanthropy and civil society during the pandemic âThe Giving Apps: How Venmo and CashApp Upended a Centuries-Old Modelâ OneZero Medium âCharity, Philanthropy & Mutual Aid Post-Pandemicâ, Giving Thought blog âPhilanthropy and Civil Society After Covid-19â Giving Thought blog Our Giving Thought podcast with Louise Pulford, Josiane Smith and Dame Julia Unwin Our Giving Thought podcast with Paul Vallely Our Giving Thought podcast with Ingrid Srinath Our Giving Thought podcast with Lucy Bernholz Lucy Bernholz's 2021 Blueprint philanthropy & civil society industry forecast for Stanford PACS Our Giving Thought podcast with Regan Ralph Our Giving Thought podcast on The History of Philanthropy & Civil Society in Times of Crisis Our Giving Thought podcast on Tainted Donations âStatues, Slavery & Tainted Donationsâ, CAF Giving Thought blog âHow Nonprofits Can Utilize Decentralized Financeâ, session at the BitGive Foundationâs DePhi conference CAF submission to DCMS inquiry into Immersive & Addictive Technology CAF Giving Thought paper âMachine Made Goods: Charities, Philanthropy & Artificial Intelligenceâ CAF Giving Thought work on blockchain and cryptocurrency CAF Giving Thought paper âNetworking Opportunities: Rediscovering Decentralisation in Philanthropy & Civil Societyâ -
In this episode we talk to Iqbal Nasim, CEO of the National Zakat Foundation, about Islamic giving and using technology to transform the way Zakat works. Including:
What is Zakat and how does it fit within Islamic teaching? What does Islamic teaching say about how Zakat is to be given? (i.e. are there specific causes, should it be anonymous etc?) Is Zakat the primary focus of giving for most Muslims, or do many give in other ways too? What is Sadaqa, and how does it relate to Zakat? Does most Zakat from Muslims in the UK go to international causes? Why, then, did NZF decide to focus on distributing Zakat in the UK? How much Zakat goes to individuals and how much to organisations (charities, NGOs etc?) How does this reflect Islamic teaching? How is Zakat viewed by givers and recipients- is it seen as a gift made through charity or a payment made as a requirement of justice? Is there any stigma to being a recipient of Zakat? What responsibilities are there as a digital platform towards those giving and receiving zakat? Should you aim to be a neutral intermediary, or do you have to take a more active role in informing donors, assessing recipients etc? Disintermediation through technology brings benefits in terms of allowing more direct connection between giver and receiver, but it may also bring challenges- e.g. in individual crowdfunding there are growing concerns we are seeing biases and old-fashioned distinctions between the âdeservingâ and âundeservingâ poor emerge. Are there similar challenges when it comes to zakat? How can they be mitigated? Does the focus on giving to individuals make it harder to address issues at a more systemic level? (i.e. because you canât fund campaigning or advocacy for larger-scale change) There is a lot of interest in the wider world of philanthropy (particularly in an international development context) in tapping into Zakat as a potential new source of funding for existing causes, or aligning it with the SDGs etc. Is this feasible, or does it misunderstand what Zakat is and the motivations behind it?Related Links:
The National Zakat Foundation Islamic Relief UKâs guide to giving in Islam Rhodâs Alliance magazine blog on âThe Ethics of Platform Philanthropyâ -
In this episode we talk to Asha Curran, CEO of Giving Tuesday - ahead of this yearâs event on Tuesday 2nd December -about distributed leadership, movement building and the importance of mass giving. Including:
Decentralisation & Social Movements
What is the key appeal of networked movements? Do people believe they are more effective (particularly when it comes to huge global challenges that might require radical solutions, like the climate crisis and racial inequality/injustice) or is it more about their ability to democratize participation and offer more active modes of engagement? How can traditional nonprofits embrace some of the benefits of networked or decentralized approaches? Does this require a major change of structure, or just mindset?Distributed leadership, new power and leaderlessness
GT is a combination of elements with formal structure and many informal elements - how do these different parts of the movement interact? How much centralised input is there in shaping/setting parameters for the formal elements? Are there necessary limits on the freedom of informal elements? (E.g. parameters/red lines on what can be associated with GT brand, even informally) How are these set and policed? How do you manage power dynamics within a decentralised movement to prevent the emergence of hidden cliques/elites, and to ensure that everyoneâs voice can be heard equally?Mass giving
Can mass giving movements like GT help to counter concerns about the potentially anti-democratic impact of big money philanthropy? As GT has developed into a global movement, how has this informed your understanding of what we should think of as âgivingâ? Can GT help us to develop a better global perspective & understand differences and similarities between cultures of giving around the world? Do different countries around the world place more emphasis on non-financial giving in their approaches to GT? Has this had an impact on thinking in the US? What is the idea behind the Starling Collective? How does this fit with the wider work of Giving Tuesday?Platforms, philanthropy & civil society
Is there an important role for movements like GT in ensuring that as more giving shifts to the online world, we have platforms and infrastructure that is driven by civil society values rather than ceding control of online giving to commercial platforms (who may wish to offer giving functionality as an add-on for users)? What responsibilities do giving platforms have towards those giving and receiving through them? Are they ever neutral intermediaries, or do they need to accept a more active role in informing donors, assessing recipients etc?Data
What is the Giving Tuesday Data Collaborative? How did it come about? What have you learned about giving trends in the US (and elsewhere) so far through the GTDC? Can we use data to drive more giving/better giving? If so, how?Related Links:
Giving Tuesday The Giving Tuesday Data Commons Giving Tuesday UK The Starling Collective Ashaâs interview with Stanfordâs Digital Impact blog and podcast Our Giving Thought podcast interview with Lucy Bernholz on digital civil society Our Giving Thought podcast interview with Regan Ralph on funding social movements Our Giving Thought podcast on philanthropy and structure Rhodâs paper âNetworking Opportunities: Rediscovering Decentralisation in Philanthropy & Civil Society?â -
In this episode we talk to Paul Vallely, author of Philanthropy: From Aristotle to Zuckerberg about his new book and what we can learn from history that can help inform our understanding of modern philanthropy and our thinking about where it should go in the future. Including:
What value does a historical perspective bring? Would people working in philanthropy/civil society would benefit from more historical perspective? What is the fundamental distinction between the Greco-Roman tradition of philanthropy and that which emerged from the Abrahamic religions, and why it is still important in understanding philanthropy today? What does history tell us about the relationship between charity and justice: i.e. do they exist in opposition, or is charity a means of delivering justice? How is this debate is reflected in the history of philanthropy, and why does it remain relevant today? How have views on the nature of poverty shaped philanthropy? I.e. Is poverty seen as a moral failing on the part of the individual, or a structural flaw in society? Are poverty & inequality âproblems to be solvedâ or merely part of the natural order that accords some wealth and some poverty- and what does this mean for the role of charity? As we see controversy once again about âVictorian attitudesâ towards the âdeserving and undeserving poorâ, are these issues that we need to grapple with in thinking about philanthropy? What can we learn from history about the question of âtainted donationsâ, and the extent to which the way in which wealth has been created determines the legitimacy of trying to do good through giving it away? What is the distinction the book draws between âstrategicâ & âreciprocalâ philanthropy? It is clearly almost impossible to understand the history of philanthropy without understanding some theology, as religion and charity were inextricably entwined for a long time. But what role does religion play in driving and shaping modern philanthropy? The freedom that philanthropy and civil society have to run counter to the status quo or the policies and public opinion of a particular time has been a key part of driving historic social change. How do we preserve this freedom, whilst also answering concerns that unchecked philanthropic power could end up being anti-democratic? What is the core role of philanthropy within society which differentiates it from either state or market provision? The book speaks approvingly of celebrity activists (making the point that they are in some ways following the template set by the original âphilanthropistâ John Howard). What role can this kind of philanthropy play? Why is it often viewed somewhat cynically?Related Links
Philanthropy: From Aristotle to Zuckerberg website Guardian extract from Paulâs book, âHow Philanthropy Benefits the Super-Richâ Paulâs blog for NPC âWhy history should matter to philanthropists and philanthropy professionalsâ Paul on BBC Radio Threeâs Free Thinking. Paulâs Jewish Chronicle piece, âTzedakah: a concept that changed the worldâ Rhodâs book, Public Good by Private Means (and free PDF version) Our CAF Giving Thought podcast with Beth Breeze Our CAF Giving Thought podcast with Ben Soskis Our CAF Giving Thought podcast with Andrew Rudd Rhodâs World Economic Forum article, âPhilanthropy is at a turning point. Here are 6 ways it could goâ - Se mer
