How philanthropy went wrong and how to fix it
Amy Schiller’s criticism of philanthropy is not that it is fundamentally wrong but that it needs to focus less on utility and more on beauty, writes reviewer Hilary Pearson.
Book Reviews
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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.
How we work isn’t working: Seven practices from breakthrough organizations
The authors of Beloved Economies believe that businesses, co-operatives, non-profit organizations, and public institutions are microcosms that have the potential to effect real change – that pockets of innovation, using the seven practices described in the book, will lead to ripple effects in the whole economy and change “business as usual.”
Making a difference through breakthrough community change
Anyone interested in making a difference in their community should read Breakthrough Community Change, writes Sherri Torjman. It is a treasure trove of wisdom gleaned from decades of experience, thousands of community stories, and evidence-based research.
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.
Resilience and the management of non-profit organizations
The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the resilience of many organizations. In their practical and timely book, Dennis Young and Elizabeth Searing take the opportunity to look at the larger question of preparedness in sector groups for dealing with circumstances – society-wide or unique to a specific organization – that threaten their viability.
From Charity to Change: Inside the World of Canadian Foundations
Frequent Philanthropist Journal book reviewer Hilary Pearson’s new book profiles a selection of Canadian foundations that have evolved from static grantors to active participants in building capacity, strengthening community, influencing public policy, addressing climate change, and engaging in reconciliation through relationship.
