Six years ago, I began reviewing books on philanthropy and social purpose leadership for The Philanthropist Journal. I can now look at a bookshelf’s worth of reviews – 16 books written by 20 authors.
These authors are all from the English-speaking world, primarily the US and the United Kingdom, joined by two Canadians, an Australian and a German. Their backgrounds range from journalism to history, from philosophy to fundraising, from research to consulting. Some are nonprofit leaders. Many are academics. They have different starting points, from ethics and morality to history and politics, and from bird’s eye to grassroots. Some write intellectual analyses, some write practical advice, some take a long view while others comment on the present moment. This diversity is an indication of the fascination and complexity of philanthropy across disciplines and perspectives.
I was curious to see if common themes emerge from these books, which were written over years during which philanthropy and nonprofit leadership have been increasingly under scrutiny. When I reread the reviews, I am struck by the optimism that all authors attach to the idea and practice of philanthropy and social purpose work. Giving for improvement of the common good is an enduring human impulse. Most of these books start from this place. They intend to inform and encourage the students and practitioners of philanthropy. The faults and negative characteristics of philanthropy are not ignored by these authors. They name issues of power, privilege and opacity. But they also share a belief that private philanthropy has value and that philanthropic practice can be improved and “modernized”. They bring thoughtfulness and rigour to our understanding of philanthropy’s role in our societies.
Networking, partnership, collaboration, participation –more than one author points philanthropy in this direction. Several of them make the case for philanthropy to remain anchored in values, moral purpose and heart – philanthropy should not be bloodless. And many believe that risk, imagination and innovation are assets that philanthropy can contribute to our shared benefit, if “done right” as Phil Buchanan would say.
If you are new to philanthropy, or a practitioner looking for inspiration, you will find much to learn from in one or several of these books. All 16 reviews are reposted on my virtual bookshelf, with thanks to The Philanthropist Journal.
Here are some quotes from my reviews to encourage your browsing.
- The possibility of building rapid feedback loops with beneficiaries and grantees; giving agency to the beneficiaries and to the non-profits who support them; bringing multiple voices to the table; designing data collection directly with the owners of the data; and designing projects together rather than at arm’s length, are all instances of new power thinking and practice. From review of Henry Timms and Jeremy Heimans’ New Power
- Private foundations are democratic society’s “risk capital”... Because of their institutional design, they can use their resources to fund higher risk social policy experiments and identify potential social problems decades away or innovations whose success might be apparent only after a longer time horizon. Foundations can and should do what democratic governments routinely fail to do: think long. From review of Robert Reich’s Just Giving
- Foundations and individual givers play an important role that the state cannot. They can take on issues and make positive advances that benefit the public in ways that governments can’t (at least not alone). Buchanan cites public health campaigns, innovations in agriculture and health research, progress on human rights, and strengthened civic engagement as instances where foundations played a unique and productive role, in collaboration with community leaders. From review of Phil Buchanan’s Giving Done Right.
- Social innovation is the space in which philanthropy, government, and business seem to feel most comfortable in exploring partnerships. This suggests that non-profit leaders could open new possibilities for their work if they think about corporations not just as sponsors, event donors, or sources of volunteers for projects, but as partners in design, delivery, and even advocacy. From review of Derrick Feldmann and Michael Alberg-Seberich’s The Corporate Social Mind
- Participatory funding is more effective because it brings lived community expertise into funding decisions, and it is more equitable because it “gives smaller organizations more of a shot [at getting funded] by neutralizing the advantage of money and connection … it democratizes access to the skills needed to raise money from funders, breaking down false barriers of language and culture … [and] it fundamentally changes power dynamics by changing the role of funders from givers and deciders to supporters and connectors. From review of Ben Wrobel and Meg Massey’s Letting Go
- Philanthropy is imperfect, messy and complex, but it is better than a world without philanthropy. From review of Beth Breeze’s In Defence of Philanthropy
- Giving is political in that it is a statement of values, something to build community around and something that powers communities. Giving has always been available to every human being. In itself, it can be deeply rewarding. Yet, to be fully realized, giving must involve participation with others, must be driven by a clear set of moral and political values, and must contribute to shaping the society we want. From review of Lucy Bernholz’s How We Give Now
- Giving with trust and with sustained commitment to communities will effectively meet present needs. Yet giving with conscience and rigorous thought to work that may be essential to future human survival is also morally compelling. Who better than endowed foundations to meet that call? The future will not take care of itself if we don’t ensure that there is indeed a future. From review of Will MacAskill’s What We Owe The Future
- The pursuit of social justice remains in uneasy tension with philanthropic power. Yet this does not mean that philanthropy is inherently unjust or unable to advance justice… Philanthropy is not an alternative to public spending, but it can be clearer about the roles it can play in relation to the state. It can be more active in strengthening democracy and civil society while being more open itself about its operations. All of these are strong suggestions that reinforce the movement toward modernizing today’s philanthropy. From review of Rhodri Davies’s What Is Philanthropy For?
- A social changemaker must work with ethical integrity. Tools and strategies can be used for good or ill. Ethics will decide what purpose they are devoted to. Picking your way through social change is not easy. Your values are the thread that guides you through the thickets and the doubts. From review of Jacob Harold’s A Toolbox for Crafting Social Impact
- The project of philanthropy is to make the earth more of a home and to encourage inhabitants of the spaces and institutions it provides to feel at home in the world. Ours is a world for humans. It should serve all of us not the few who can exploit the many for maximum profit. The money we use to build the common world communicates our belief in that world and in all who inhabit it. It affirms the value of humanity beyond price. From review of Amy Schiller’s The Price of Humanity