Celebrity philanthropy and activism: Mediated interventions in the global public sphere

This book critically explores the role of celebrities in philanthropy and activism, focusing on their ability to raise awareness, mobilize resources, and influence public opinion. It analyzes media representations and the effectiveness of celebrity-led campaigns in promoting social causes. The author discusses the complexities and critiques of celebrity philanthropy, including issues of authenticity, power, and commodification of altruism.

2018 Policy community Survey: Final Report on South Asia

In 2018, the Think Tank Initiative (TTI) commissioned GlobeScan to survey policy stakeholders in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. This report presents results from the Africa survey, aiming to understand information needs, uses, and perceptions of think tanks among policy actors in specific countries like Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. It provides valuable insights into how policy communities engage with research and analysis, highlighting key areas where think tanks can enhance their relevance and impact. The findings contribute to a better understanding of evidence-informed policymaking in the region.

Shifting notions of philanthropy: Themes in scholarship and practice

Farley synthesizes contemporary scholarship to identify a shift from altruistic giving toward impact-driven philanthropy that emphasizes governance, policy influence, and "giving to gain. " Through comparative literature reviews, she highlights how academic focus now explores foundations' policy influence, donor–recipient dynamics, and accountability mechanisms in shaping equitable philanthropic practices. The article elucidates the evolving landscape of philanthropy, moving beyond traditional charitable models to embrace more strategic and outcome-oriented approaches. It critically examines the implications of this shift for governance, policy engagement, and the crucial aspect of accountability in ensuring equitable and impactful philanthropic endeavors.

Responsibility and Philanthropy in Nineteenth-Century Business

Heald examines how businesses in the 19th century employed philanthropic giving as part of corporate responsibility. He traces motivations—moral obligation, paternalism, reputation—and the emergence of early corporate philanthropy. The chapter connects these practices to modern corporate social responsibility, highlighting historical roots in moral economy, and demonstrating how historical philanthropic endeavors laid the groundwork for contemporary CSR initiatives. It analyzes the evolving motivations behind corporate giving, from altruistic impulses to strategic business considerations, providing a historical context for understanding the role of businesses in societal well-being.

Rationalities of goodwill: On the promotion of philanthropy through sports-based interventions in Sweden

This article by Ekholm & Dahlstedt analyzes Swedish sports-based interventions, such as Midnight Football, to understand the underlying "goodwill rationalities." It reveals how sport is positioned as a civic remedy, yet may inadvertently reinforce assimilation norms. The study highlights the dual role of public–private partnerships in promoting social inclusion, while also urging critical reflection on sport's broader function in policymaking and philanthropy. It emphasizes the political potential of such provisions as a means of promoting social change, guided by specific notions of a "good society" and "good citizen," often animating contributions as non-political acts of goodwill.

Foundations of Radical Philanthropy

This article examines "radical philanthropy," arguing it offers an alternative to "philanthro-capitalism," which often masks structural inequalities. It engages with a radical theory of poverty, elucidates key principles of radical philanthropy, and highlights its potential as a distinct approach. While traditional philanthropy is often criticized as insufficient or serving capital interests, radical philanthropy seeks to transcend and provide alternatives to the status quo by addressing root causes of inequality. The authors suggest that although individual foundations may not embody all principles, collectively, radical philanthropies can contribute significantly to achieving a more equitable world.

Asian-Australian diaspora philanthropy

This report reviews the giving practices among Asian-Australians, recognizing the growing prominence of Asian diaspora communities in Australia’s social, business, and public life. It addresses the existing knowledge gap regarding how, why, where, and what causes Asian-Australian philanthropists support. The Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation commissioned this study as a crucial first step towards understanding this demographic’s philanthropic nature. The goal is to identify and realize opportunities for Australia's mainstream philanthropy sector to engage more closely with Asian-Australian donors for mutual benefit and enhanced societal impact.

A Will in Search of a Way: Philanthropy in Education in Peru

This paper investigates emerging philanthropic and social investment models in Peru, an upper middle-income country where human development and education indices lag behind economic growth. With overseas development assistance shifting, local philanthropists aim to fill the social investment gap. Based on a survey of 157 philanthropic organizations in Peru’s largest cities, the study explores how strategic leveraging of philanthropic spending, relative to the public education budget, is critical for achieving impact at scale.

Plutocratic philanthropy

Saunders-Hastings investigates how elite philanthropy can entrench plutocratic influence. He contends such practices consolidate elite power and calls for public scrutiny to ensure democratic accountability. The article critically examines the potential for philanthropic endeavors by the wealthy to reinforce existing power structures, advocating for greater transparency and oversight to safeguard public interest and prevent undue influence on societal norms and policies.
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