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Philanthropy, Civil Society & Covid-19: What now, what next?

Giving Thought

Release Date: 05/06/2020

Next Gen Philanthropy, with Sharna Goldseker & Michael Moody show art 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

info_outline Philanthropy, Domestic Violence & Partnering with the Public Sector, with Stelio Stefanou show art 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.

info_outline Modern Grantmaking, with Gemma Bull & Tom Steinberg show art 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"

info_outline Philanthropy, Racial Justice & Funding Grassroots Organizing, with Lori Bezahler show art 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.

info_outline Poverty, Participation & The Pandemic, with Jo Kerr & Sonya Ruparel show art 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.

info_outline Participatory grantmaking, with Meg Massey & Hannah Paterson show art 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.

info_outline Silicon Valley, Billionaires & Philanthropy, with Teddy Schleifer show art 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.

info_outline Philanthropy in Brazil during the pandemic, with Denis Mizne show art 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

info_outline Why Civil Society Matters More Than Ever, with Andy Haldane (and Neil Heslop) show art 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.

info_outline Technology, Philanthropy & Civil Society, with Nanjira Sambuli show art 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.

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More Episodes

In episode 75 we take a look at the key issues facing civil society and philanthropy during the covid-19 pandemic crisis and beyond. We explore the benefits of historical insight, highlight some of the main challenges civil society organisations face right now, and consider the most important questions to ask as we look ahead to the future. Including:

 

The history of philanthropy and civil society in times of crisis

  • Centralization- what can we learn from C18th Hamburg and WWI in the UK about how crises lead to a desire to rationalise philanthropy?
  • How do views on the causes of crises affect the philanthropic response? Religious views on plagues and the role of charity, and how the understanding of epidemic illness affects collectivism and mutualism.
  • Poverty, Power & Inequality: The unequal effects of crises and the dangers- does philanthropy entrench inequality, or can it help to overcome it?

 

Key current trends

  • Reduced income but increased demand. Many orgs in survival mode.
  • Universal nature of crisis makes fundraising ask more complex (i.e. not “them”, but “us”)
  • Enforced pivot to digital - how do you adapt to new tools and avoid pitfalls?
  • Funder behaviour: unrestricted grants, core-cost funding, reduced reporting, trust-based grantmaking
  • Collaboration, cooperation & coordination
  • New digitally-enabled networks emerging alongside traditional charities
  •  

 

What might the future hold?

  • Will we see a shift in public expectations of state vs philanthropic provision?
  • Will there be a rebalancing of the mutual vs charitable tradition?
  • Philanthro-localism or philanthro-globalism?
  • Will the reputation of philanthropy improve or deteriorate?
  • Are decentralised and networked organisational models an opportunity or a threat for civil society?
  • Does the response to the pandemic highlight an unmet desire for participation?
  • Will the current period of enforced digitisation lead to more CSOs engaging with the opportunities and challenges of technology?
  • Is the short-term imperative to meet critical need going to lead to a longer-term desire to rationalise philanthropy?
  • Will we see more transparency and sharing of data?
  • Are we seeing the end of organisational ego in philanthropy?
  • Will there be longer-term changes in attitudes to core costs, unrestricted grants and reporting requirements?
  • Will we see a shift in perception/norms with regard to endowed assets?
  • Will there be more recognition of the need for foresight among funders and civil society?
  • Will the crisis create new problems for civil society to address?

 

 

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