Millennials, faith and philanthropy: Who will be transformed?

This video features a conversation between Mike Milken, Chairman of the Milken Institute, and Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises, on the topic of philanthropy. Milken, known for his work as a financier, public health innovator, and philanthropist, shares his insights during this discussion. The conversation likely delves into various aspects of strategic philanthropy, social impact investing, and the role of individuals and institutions in driving positive change globally. It provides a unique perspective from prominent figures in finance and philanthropy on contemporary charitable giving.

Making philanthropists: entrepreneurs, evangelicals and the growth of philanthropy in the British world, 1756–1840

This book examines the period of Lower Canada from 1791 to 1840, focusing on the significant social changes and the rise of nationalism. The author explores how economic shifts, land scarcity along the St. Lawrence Valley, and British immigration fueled class struggles, gave rise to political parties, and fostered nationalist sentiments. It also delves into the economic disparities between ethnic groups and the anxieties of rural Francophone peasants and urban workers, contributing to a reformist movement and ultimately the rebellion of 1837.

Local welfare systems and the risks of short-term innovation: philanthropy role in fostering permanent and inclusive social change

This study explores the effectiveness of student philanthropy and service-learning as pedagogical tools for understanding organizational change. It argues that engaging students in real-world grant-making and community service projects provides a unique and impactful learning experience. Through these live case studies, students gain practical insights into the complexities of organizational dynamics, social needs, and the processes of implementing and managing change within non-profit organizations. The paper highlights the experiential learning benefits in fostering civic engagement and understanding philanthropic impact.

Knowledge as leadership, belonging as community: How Canadian community foundations are using vital signs for social change

This article explores how Canadian community foundations utilize the "Vital Signs" reporting tool to implement a knowledge-driven leadership approach for social change. It argues that a community foundation’s greatest asset is its knowledge of the community, rather than just its endowment size. The paper discusses how these foundations reframe the concept of "community" to be less about strict locale and more about engagement and belonging, using data to drive change agendas both locally and nationally through inclusive models.

Introduction: American Philanthropy and the Rebirth of Higher Education in Africa

This chapter examines how American philanthropic organizations have contributed to the revival and transformation of higher education across Africa. It analyses motivations, funding models, and partnerships driving institutional development, capacity building, and academic excellence. The discussion highlights both benefits—such as innovation and access—and criticisms, including dependency, cultural misalignment, and sustainability concerns.

Introduction: A new 'new'philanthropy: From impetus to impact

This introductory chapter re-examines the concept of ‘new philanthropy,' analysing its evolution and distinguishing characteristics. It reflects on the shift from traditional charitable giving to more strategic, outcome-oriented practices that prioritize measurable impact. The authors trace the emergence of new actors, methods, and motivations, questioning the assumptions underlying this shift. Drawing on empirical evidence and interdisciplinary literature, the chapter critiques the instrumentalisation of philanthropy and urges a balanced understanding that acknowledges power dynamics and long-term societal transformation.

Internal culture, external impact: How a change-making culture positions foundations to achieve transformational change

This article argues that a foundation’s internal culture is crucial for achieving large-scale social change, a factor often overlooked in strategic discussions. While there’s no singular ideal culture, foundations aiming for transformational impact must embody characteristics such as an outcomes focus, transparency, authenticity, collaboration, racial equity, inclusion, continuous learning, and openness to risk. The piece examines challenges in cultural change, offers case studies of successful transformations, and provides advice for foundations aspiring to cultivate a change-making culture for greater external impact.

Insisting and resisting: women's funds lead the way for local philanthropy

Women’s funds are recognized as key agents of social change, leading local philanthropy efforts. This piece highlights their role in building sustainable, local support for women and girls’ rights, particularly amidst restrictions on foreign funding. It emphasizes the importance of local resource mobilization for autonomy and responsiveness to community needs. Women’s funds innovate in fundraising strategies, like HER Fund in Hong Kong, and engage in relationship-building to become visible change actors, inspiring local contributions to human rights movements.

Individual giving and philanthropy in Turkey

This paper investigates individual giving and philanthropy in Turkey, with a particular focus on informal giving directly to individuals in need. Based on surveys conducted in 2004 and 2015, the research finds significantly higher levels of informal giving compared to formal giving, though informal giving decreased over the period. Turks overwhelmingly prefer giving to individuals over institutions, a contrast to findings in many other countries. Despite this preference, the determinants of informal giving in Turkey largely align with broader research on motivations for giving, indicating common underlying factors influencing philanthropic behavior.

Indigenous philanthropy

This piece explores the concept of ‘indigenous philanthropy’ as the non-state transfer of material and non-material resources among a given population. It argues that this form of giving, distinct from professional philanthropy, has historically been marginalized in academic and policy discussions. Key characteristics include its generally horizontal nature (among people of similar socioeconomic status) and its long, albeit problematic, interaction with Western knowledge. The authors emphasize that acknowledging mutual exchange between indigenous and Western knowledge does not negate power imbalances, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of diverse philanthropic practices.
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