• Book

Book Review: Steven Goldberg. Billions of Drops in Millions of Buckets: Why Philanthropy Doesn't Advance Social Progress. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley, 2009. 302 pp …

  • Source : SAGE Journals
  • 1 January 1970
This book review praises Steven Goldberg’s "Billions of Drops in Millions of Buckets: Why Philanthropy Doesn’t Advance Social Progress" for its original perspective on philanthropy. Goldberg critiques why much charitable giving yields limited social change and proposes "performance-driven philanthropy," where nonprofits are rewarded based on results. The reviewer highlights Goldberg’s call to reinvigorate nonprofit capital markets by directing funds more effectively. The book is presented as a crucial read for philanthropists, foundations, and policymakers, offering compelling ideas to enhance the social sector’s effectiveness and the transformative capacity of social entrepreneurs.
  • Academic / Journal Article

Beyond the veneer of strategic philanthropy

  • Source : The Foundation Review
  • 1 January 1970
This article examines "strategic philanthropy" and why many foundations, despite developing strategic plans, fail to implement them effectively. It identifies four key challenges: strategies developed in isolation from grantees, and misaligned internal structures, processes, and cultures. The authors argue that foundations must clearly define their role in creating change, develop strategic capacities, and continuously refine their approach based on experience. The piece emphasizes that true strategic philanthropy requires deep institutional changes beyond mere planning documents, acknowledging that implementation rarely goes as planned and requires ongoing adaptation and learning for impact.
  • Academic / Journal Article

Reflections on Images of Organization and Its Implications for Organization and Environment

  • Source : Sage
  • 1 January 1970
Gareth Morgan revisits his seminal metaphors for organizational analysis from "Images of Organization," reflecting on their profound impact on environmental and social perspectives within organizational theory. He underscores the necessity of developing pluralistic, adaptive frameworks to effectively address increasingly complex socio-environmental realities. Morgan's re-evaluation reinforces the idea that organizations are not static entities but dynamic systems, best understood through multiple lenses. This approach encourages a more nuanced and holistic understanding of organizational behavior, promoting flexible strategies that can respond to multifaceted challenges and foster sustainable interactions with both social and ecological environments.
  • Academic / Journal Article

Reconsidering philanthropy.

  • Source : Australasian Journal of Volunteering
  • 1 January 1970
Loo critically examines conventional philanthropy models in Australia, particularly volunteer-led giving. The article advocates for an asset-based framework that redefines donors and volunteers as collaborative partners. It emphasizes participatory design, community ownership, and relational transparency as crucial elements to enhance the inclusivity and responsiveness of philanthropic efforts. This approach aims to empower local communities and ensure that philanthropic initiatives are more aligned with their actual needs and priorities, fostering sustainable social change through genuine collaboration and shared responsibility, rather than top-down approaches, creating a more equitable and impactful philanthropic ecosystem.
  • Book

Art in action: Expressive arts therapy and social change

  • Source : Jessica Kingsley Publishers
  • 1 January 1970
This book explores the transformative power of expressive arts therapies in regions affected by conflict, political unrest, poverty, or natural disasters. Contributors delve into how arts therapies inspire social action and facilitate broader societal change, not just individual or group transformation. It examines methods for engaging community consciousness and improving social conditions through the arts, considering contextual issues. The book features inspiring accounts from leading practitioners, demonstrating how creative arts, such as poetry or storytelling workshops, are used in trauma intervention and community integration, offering visionary perspectives on arts’ role in social change.
  • Academic / Journal Article

Andrew Carnegie and the foundations of contemporary entrepreneurial philanthropy

  • Source : Taylor & Francis
  • 1 January 1970
This paper examines the relationship between the business and philanthropic endeavors of "world-making entrepreneurs," exploring why and how they extend their societal influence beyond business. It introduces an original model of entrepreneurial philanthropy, illustrating how philanthropic investments can generate positive returns in cultural, social, and symbolic capital, potentially leading to economic growth. The model is applied to Andrew Carnegie’s career, revealing a more complex and unified story than simply accumulating wealth and giving it away, showing how his philanthropy enhanced his standing, networks, and influence.
  • Academic / Journal Article

Amplifying social impact in a connected age: A survey of technology-related philanthropy for social benefit

  • Source : John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  • 1 January 1970
The world is witnessing a surge in communities using low-cost communication technologies to drive positive social change, from Egypt to East Los Angeles. Despite this, philanthropic investment in non-profit technology, particularly in the US, largely remains confined to operational efficiencies like hardware, software, and website maintenance. This article surveys this landscape, highlighting the missed opportunity for philanthropy to support the strategic use of mobile phones, online video, texting, and social media to amplify social movements and generate greater impact.
  • Book

Pan-Africanizing philanthropy: Toward a social theory of an emerging sector

  • Source : Springer
  • 1 January 1970
This chapter proposes a social theory addressing Pan-African philanthropy, focusing on diaspora giving practices and identity formation. Drawing on Kenyan and Nigerian cases, it considers Africa's philanthropic sector as an emergent field shaped by transnational communities and rooted in cultural values and solidarity. The author argues that African philanthropy, inherently built on notions of solidarity and interconnectedness, provides a foundational approach for development, highlighting the potential of indigenous gifting practices to finance continent-wide development.
  • Book

Oprah Winfrey's Global Philanthropy

  • Source : Media, Spiritualities and Social Change
  • 1 January 1970
This chapter explores Oprah Winfrey's philanthropic approach, emphasizing empowerment narratives. The analysis highlights how Winfrey's global giving practices reinforce specific values and power dynamics, situating her philanthropy within neoliberal frameworks. It further examines the cultural and spiritual significance of her philanthropic endeavors, portraying her journey from poverty to a global symbol of empowerment. The chapter reflects on lessons from her life, including authenticity, resilience, empathy, and purpose-driven leadership.
  • Academic / Journal Article

Philanthropy is dead, long live philanthropy?

  • Source : Philanthropy Management Review
  • 1 January 1970
Harrow & Jung reflect on philanthropy's evolving role amid welfare retrenchment, noting governments' renewed interest in collaboration with funders. They argue for realism, cautioning against overstating philanthropic potential, and call researchers to critically assess philanthropy–state dynamics in post-welfare contexts. The article provides a nuanced perspective on the future of philanthropy, suggesting that while private giving can play a vital role, it cannot fully replace the welfare state. It encourages a pragmatic approach to partnerships between governments and philanthropic organizations, advocating for realistic expectations and rigorous evaluation of their collective impact.
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