are givers (see Chapter 18) and also encourage giving in others. This chapter reviews research finding that giving time and money can promote psychological well‐being, the quantity and quality of social relationships, and better physical health – even a longer life. Although the majority of research has been done in Western countries and among older adults, these benefits have been found for people of all ages, and all over the world. It is even possible to experience the joy of giving during difficult times. Giving feels good because it satisfies people's core psychological needs and helps them to shift their perspectives and manage stress. Giving is more beneficial when it is voluntary and not a burden, and there are a number of practices that can help to increase the joy of giving. Some people say that we should give until it hurts, but research suggests that giving until it feels good may be more accurate.
Discussion Questions
1 Discuss at least three ways that volunteering is beneficial to the volunteer and the donor.
2 Describe different effects of giving time versus giving money.
3 How can fundraisers use the knowledge in this chapter to enhance donors' experiences and engagement?
Application Exercises
1 Apply this information in your professional context. How can you use the research to build your confidence as a fundraiser?
2 Talk with a donor about how they have experienced the joys of giving, including during difficult times and in consideration of potential limits to its positive outcomes. Compare what the donor says to your experience and the information in this chapter.
3 Apply the V.A.C.C.S. formula to the fundraising approach of your or another organization, identifying areas of strength and opportunity.
CHAPTER SIX THE PHILANTHROPIC CONTEXT FOR FUNDRAISING
By Pat Danahey Janin and Dwight F. Burlingame
The context for philanthropy and fundraisers is continually changing. Economic upswings and crises, political stability and changes, increased or decreased physical well‐being, including from a pandemic, and finally, social peace or unrest all impact the focus and flow of resources destined to address societal needs. Philanthropy, too, is undergoing changes. This chapter helps readers reflect on the contemporary environment in which fundraisers work.
After completing this chapter, readers will understand:
Philanthropy's definition and roles.
Contemporary challenges to philanthropy.
The nonprofit sector's size and scope.
Digital and educational changes in philanthropy infrastructure.
Fundraising and the changing economic, social, and political climate for philanthropy.
Opportunities for philanthropy today.
Defining Philanthropy
Philanthropy comes from the Greek meaning love of humankind. It is a multifaceted term, with many layers of meaning in both its historical and its contemporary usages (Sulek 2010). Indeed, there are many motivations for philanthropic activities, including the love of other persons, the beautiful, the good, the divine, and wisdom; personal excellence, civic virtue or morality, rational understanding, moral sentiment, and goodwill; and the pleasures of social interaction. The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy uses Robert Payton's broad definition of philanthropy – voluntary action for the public good – as a foundation for its work. This voluntary action encompasses many forms of giving, volunteering, and association. In this conception, philanthropy is purposeful in both action and intention, seeking to improve the human condition and contribute to democracy through pluralism, community, and championing people's rights (Payton and Moody 2008).
Philanthropy is social action that addresses human and civic needs. Philanthropy improves the welfare of others and in doing so improves one's own life, providing multiple pathways for change and improvement. From this standpoint, the roles of philanthropy, as defined in Chapter 1 and illustrated in Figure 6.1, are generally considered to be: reducing human suffering; enhancing human potential; promoting equity and justice; building community; providing human fulfillment; supporting experimentation and change; and fostering pluralism (Tempel 2003). These seven roles of philanthropy can be seen as interconnected pieces, at the heart of which is community.
FIGURE 6.1. SEVEN ROLES OF PHILANTHROPY
Source: Tempel 2003.
The Contemporary Challenges Philanthropy Faces
Philanthropy is not without challenges, critiques, and failures. The scale of philanthropy continues to increase in overall donations, in the number of registered nonprofit organizations, and in volunteer hours served (AmeriCorps 2018a, 2018b; Giving USA 2021; Urban Institute 2020). However, the percentage of Americans giving and volunteering is declining. Just over 50 percent of Americans give to charities, and rural and suburban areas are experiencing noticeable declines in volunteering (Grimm, Jr. and Dietz 2018; Zarins and Osili 2018). Fundraisers can keep abreast of these trends and new developments by consulting valuable references and contemporary reviews (see Powell and Bromley 2020, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the HistPhil Blog).
American understanding of the sector as “nonprofit,” “voluntary,” “independent,” “third,” or “philanthropic” is relatively new. The sector was studied by the Commission on Private Philanthropy and Public Needs, which produced the Filer Commission report in 1975. The nonprofit sector was recognized as a powerful economic and social force with a close, yet sometimes adversarial, relationship to government.
Research reveals a long record of societal improvements through voluntary action, the numerous advances in health, education, civil rights, and the like (e.g., see reporting from Inside Philanthropy, The Conversation, Nonprofit Quarterly, and Philanthropy Roundtable's blog). It also has brought to light the reoccurring challenges philanthropy faces in the political choices of public and private approaches to addressing persistent social issues and inequalities. Challenges also occur when outcomes fall short of promises. Some critiques of philanthropy derive from the continued debate of the proper role of philanthropy in addressing the public good. Tensions are evident in the relation between wealth and power; in the balance between philanthropy's personal and public benefits; and in the power difference between donor and recipient. In addition, philanthropic action is challenged by desires for organizational and individual freedom and the public demand for transparency
