The philanthropic landscape is changing dramatically as a new generation of wealthy donors seeks to leave its mark on the public sphere. This book reveals why these donors could benefit from having a comprehensive plan to guide their giving, and provides the framework to understand and develop this kind of philanthropic strategy. After listening for years to scores of individual and institutional funders discuss the challenges of giving wisely, the book argues here that contemporary philanthropy requires a thorough rethinking of its underlying logic. Philanthropy should be seen, the book conte ... More

The philanthropic landscape is changing dramatically as a new generation of wealthy donors seeks to leave its mark on the public sphere. This book reveals why these donors could benefit from having a comprehensive plan to guide their giving, and provides the framework to understand and develop this kind of philanthropic strategy. After listening for years to scores of individual and institutional funders discuss the challenges of giving wisely, the book argues here that contemporary philanthropy requires a thorough rethinking of its underlying logic. Philanthropy should be seen, the book contends, as both a powerful way to meet public needs and a meaningful way to express private beliefs and commitments. The book demonstrates that finding a way to simultaneously fulfill both of these functions is crucial to the survival of philanthropy and its potential to support pluralism in society. And it goes on to identify the five essential elements donors must consider when developing a philanthropic strategy: the vehicle through which giving will flow, the way impact will be achieved, the level of engagement and profile sought, the time frame for giving, and the underlying purpose of the gift. The book's point is that donors must understand strategic giving as the integration of these five critical dimensions to giving. The book provides a new basis for understanding philanthropic effectiveness and a new way for philanthropy to achieve legitimacy.