Review of What Is Philanthropy?

Nickels reviews Salvatore Alaimo's What Is Philanthropy?, noting its strengths in clarifying definitions and taxonomies, but also its limitations in engaging critically with power and equity. She recommends integrating more diverse perspectives and addressing philanthropic accountability to hearten future scholarship on civil society. The review calls for a more nuanced and critical examination of philanthropy, moving beyond mere definitions to explore its broader societal implications, particularly concerning issues of power dynamics and equitable distribution of resources. It advocates for scholarship that challenges conventional understandings and promotes greater accountability within the philanthropic sector.