Hilary Pearson

Hilary Pearson

Hilary Pearson is the former president of Philanthropic Foundations Canada. She works as an independent policy consultant and co-chaired the federal Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector from 2019 to 2023.

Written By Hilary Pearson

A toolbox for crafting social impact

In his new book, author Jacob Harold presents nine “tools” that can be used – in combinations or recombinations, depending on one’s strategy – to address complex social problems.

Talking to (and with) the sector

How can the charitable sector and government make better policy together? Hilary Pearson, outgoing co-chair of the Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector, suggests four structural elements that shape the effectiveness of these processes – but notes we already have the roadmap we need for deeper policy dialogue.

What is philanthropy for – and can it be made better?

A new book by UK historian Rhodri Davies defines philanthropy not as a stand-alone concept but in relation to social values and political and economic systems – and casts a searching eye on its dilemmas. Reviewer Hilary Pearson recommends it as a good starting point for any new philanthropist or student of philanthropy.

William MacAskill’s latest book is an argument for long-life philanthropy

“Future people count. There could be a lot of them. We can make their lives go better.” These statements capture the essence of the argument made by the author of What We Owe the Future. William MacAskill is widely known as the primary exponent of effective altruism, an approach to “doing good,” in his words, that has as much impact as possible on the well-being of people across the world.

Money, time, and data: How we give now

Lucy Bernholz’s central message in her book is that giving is about participation and engagement by all of us for all of us. But to be fully realized, giving must involve participation with others, must be driven by a clear set of moral and political values, and must contribute to shaping the society we want.

In defence of philanthropy

In her strongly argued new book, author Beth Breeze takes on three main critiques of the urge to give and offers her own prescription for how philanthropy can be improved.