Next Gen Philanthropy, with Sharna Goldseker & Michael Moody
Giving Thought
In this episode we talk to Sharna Goldseker and Michael Moody about their book Generation Impact: How Next Gen Donors are Revolutionizing Giving, which is now available in an updated and expanded 2nd edition
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Philanthropy, Domestic Violence & Partnering with the Public Sector, with Stelio Stefanou
Giving Thought
In this episode we talk to Stelio Stefanou OBE, philanthropist and Founder of the For Baby’s Sake Trust (FBST) - a charity which focuses on working with parents to address the impact of domestic violence on the early years development of children.
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Modern Grantmaking, with Gemma Bull & Tom Steinberg
Giving Thought
In this episode Rhod sat down with Gemma Bull and Tom Steinberg, authors of new book "Modern Grantmaking: A Guide for Funders Who Believe Better is Possible"
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Philanthropy, Racial Justice & Funding Grassroots Organizing, with Lori Bezahler
Giving Thought
In this episode we're joined by Lori Bezhaler, President of the Edward W. Hazen Foundation, to discuss the role of philanthropy in supporting racial justice and funding grassroots organizing or social movements.
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Poverty, Participation & The Pandemic, with Jo Kerr & Sonya Ruparel
Giving Thought
In this episode we talk to Jo Kerr and Sonya Ruparel, from UK charity Turn2Us, about poverty, participation and the impact of the pandemic.
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Participatory grantmaking, with Meg Massey & Hannah Paterson
Giving Thought
In this episode we talk participatory approaches in philanthropy and social investment, with Meg Massey, co-author of “Letting Go: How Philanthropists and Impact Investors Can Do More Good by Giving Up Control” and Hannah Paterson, Senior Portfolio Manager at the National Lottery Community Fund.
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Silicon Valley, Billionaires & Philanthropy, with Teddy Schleifer
Giving Thought
On this episode we talk to Teddy Schleifer, Senior Reporter, Money & Influence at Recode (part of the Vox Media group), about billionaires, Silicon Valley and philanthropy.
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Philanthropy in Brazil during the pandemic, with Denis Mizne
Giving Thought
In this episode we talk to Denis Mizne, CEO of Lemann Foundation - Brazil’s largest educational funder – about philanthropy in Brazil during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Lemann Foundation’s pivot to supporting vaccine trials in the country
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Why Civil Society Matters More Than Ever, with Andy Haldane (and Neil Heslop)
Giving Thought
In this episode we talk to Andy Haldane, Chief Economist of the Bank of England about his long-standing interest in civil society, why he thinks it is so important yet undervalued, and what sort of challenges and opportunities the coming years may bring. We also have some analysis and additional insight from CAF CEO Neil Heslop.
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Technology, Philanthropy & Civil Society, with Nanjira Sambuli
Giving Thought
In this episode we talk to Nanjira Sambuli about technology, philanthropy and civil society. Nanjira is a researcher, policy analyst and advocacy strategist based in Nairobi, Kenya and we had a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion about the intersection of tech and civil society.
info_outlineIn episode 56 we take a deep dive into the issue of "tainted donations". Is some money "bad", and if so can it ever be turned to good uses through philanthropy? Including:
- Recent versions of the tainted donation issue: Epstein & MIT Media Lab, the Sacklers, The Presidents Club
- The history of tainted donations: mediaeval prostitutes, Rockefeller & Carnegie in the firing line, George Cadbury, George Bernard Shaw, William Booth
- What do we mean by tainted? In cases where there is no clear illegality, how do we navigate much more contested ethical grey areas?
- Do we need to differentiate between criticisms of specific ways in which has been made (e.g. fossil fuels, arms manufacture, tobacco) and broader structural critiques of capitalism as a whole?
- Do the ethical concerns associated with a particular source of money relate directly to the way in which the money was made, or are they indirect? Does this affect the moral status of a donation?
- In a highly interconnected world, with global financial systems, does it make sense to talk of any money as ‘tainted’ or ‘pure’?
- Is it better for charities to refuse ethically dubious donations in order to avoid damaging themselves by association, or do they have a responsibility to take the money and put it to good uses?
- What level of control is a tainted donor seeking to exert over how their money is used? How does this affect the decision about whether to accept it or not?
- Will the donor get personal benefit from their donation- either in the form of tangible thanks or recognition, or in the form of more intangible social status and connections? Does this make accepting a gift more problematic?
- Does a organisation’s decision to take money always imply approval of the donor to some degree? Is it possible to counteract this implication through overt condemnation whilst still taking the money?
- In order to justify taking a charity accepting a tainted donation, does its work have to address a harm related to the way in which the money was made i.e. does there have to be some element of reparation?
- Is there a statute of limitations on tainted donations? What should we do in cases of historic wrongs that occurred so long ago that no one affected is still alive?
- On what legal basis can charity trustees decide to refuse a donation?
- How do trustees balance the potential reputational risk of accepting a tainted donation against the certainty of financial loss from not accepting it?
- Does public opinion actually support charities turning down donations from tainted sources?
- If a donation has already been made, is it even possible in charity law for it to be returned?
Related Links
-Ronan Farrow's New Yorker piece on Jeffrey Epstein and MIT MEdia Lab
-CAF Giving Thought Blog, “When Should Charities Say No To Donations?”
-CAF Giving Thought Blog “The Wages of Sin: Doing good with bad money”
-The “Criticisms of Philanthropy” chapter from my book Public Good by Private Means
-Matthew Ross’s HistPhil article about the history of donations to Notre Dame
-Ben Soskis’s Atlantic article “Dirty Money: from Rockefeller to Koch”
-G.K. Chesterton's attack on J.D. Rockefeller: "Gifts of the Millionaire"
-Beth Breeze’s Guardian article “Should charities accept contrition cash from dubious donors?”
-John Picton’s Conversation article “Sackler donations: why museums and galleries can be stuck with gifts – even if they don’t want them”