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Opinions
Philanthropy’s blind spot
It is widely recognized among social psychologists that beliefs have a bigger impact on what we see of reality than does reality itself. In other words, our systems of belief filter what we see, creating …
Putting philanthropy on the front page
‘Making philanthropy mainstream’ is one way I am often tempted to answer the question of what New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) is trying to achieve. I usually resist this temptation because it begs so many questions. …
Investors’ perspectives − Bankrolling the emerging free press
Shortly after Zimbabwe’s power-sharing agreement between President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai a few years ago, citizens in the country were reintroduced to an independent daily newspaper – the first in seven years. …
Investors’ perspectives − Reflections on Bihar from a UK impact investor
The June issue of Alliance was totally illuminating, even for a European-based impact investor whose focus is solely on India. Despite my familiarity with existing ‘impact investment’ opportunities in the country, I found the profiling …
Advisers’ perspectives − Growing confidence and self-confidence in a youthful field
Over the last few years we have seen a dramatic increase in the number and quality of professional philanthropy advisory firms in the United States. This is now being mirrored globally. Several factors have contributed …
Why bother with a theory of change?
As a recent guest on BBC Radio’s Desert Island Discs, Martin Sheen described why he is a social activist. He said that he never expects to change anyone’s mind through his activism. He does what …
Payout issue raises profile of foundation assets
In December 2010 the UK Government included within its Green Paper on ways to encourage giving in England and Wales a deceptively short and speculative paragraph which proposed ‘that foundations should make a minimum pay …
Helping Indians to help India
On 24 March, behind closed doors in New Delhi, a select group of some of India’s richest families met Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett to discuss philanthropy. It is encouraging to those involved …
Advisers’ perspectives – The role of philanthropic advisers in continental Europe
The job of philanthropic adviser is quite new and still underdeveloped in continental Europe. Following the appearance in the US of a new generation of involved and proselytizing mega-philanthropists (as exemplified by the Giving Pledge), …
Investors’ perspectives – Aiming for full portfolio activation
I have just spent three days at PlayBIG with some of the most progressive philanthropists and investors on the planet. It was a diverse group: some had inherited great fortunes, some had made them; some …