Krystian Seibert - Criticism of philanthropy: why, how & where next?
Release Date: 01/29/2019
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 StefanouGiving 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 SteinbergGiving 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 BezahlerGiving 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 RuparelGiving 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 PatersonGiving 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 SchleiferGiving 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 MizneGiving 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)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 SambuliGiving 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 42 we chat to Krystian Seibert, an Industry Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. We discuss the current wave of critiques of philanthropy, why criticism is important, how to make that criticism constructive and what the response from policy and lawmakers should be. Including:
- How do we criticise ‘well’?
- Is some criticism in danger of ‘preaching to the converted’?
- To what extent does personal philosophy or ideology dictate how receptive you are to certain criticisms?
- Which criticism of philanthropy is hardest to answer?
- How much do the current US-focussed critiques resonate elsewhere (e.g. the UK or Australia)?
- Is there an argument to change how philanthropy is regulated by the state?
- How do we balance the freedom to make individual philanthropic choices with the responsibility to ensure philanthropy doesn’t create greater inequality?
- In the US the focus has been on the potential for philanthropy to subvert democracy by offering a means of influence outside the electoral system. Yet in many other places, the concern is the opposite: that the ability of civil society (funded by philanthropy) to campaign is being stifled. How do we square these two concerns?
- Should more philanthropic funders support journalism or other mechanisms that can hold philanthropy itself to account?
- Is there an inherent power imbalance in philanthropy, between those who have the assets and those that require them? Can we address this balance, and if so how?
- Do we need to make philanthropic decisions more democratic? If so, how?
- Do we need to make philanthropy more accountable to the people and communities it is supposed to serve? If so, how?
Related Links
- Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas
- Just Giving: Why Philanthropy is Failing Democracy and How it Can Do Better by Rob Reich
- The Givers by David Callahan
- Decolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva
- Dark Money by Jane Mayer
- The Prize by Dale Rusakoff
- Rob Reich on the Giving Thought podcast
- Krystian’s article in Stanford Social Innovation Review on “Cultivating Legitimacy in Philanthropy”
- My Giving Thought blog on “Winners Take All”