DECONSTRUCTING THE GIVING PLEDGE
INTRODUCTION
It began with a hush-hush dinner in New York four years ago, a gathering of about a dozen people with deep pockets and a serious commitment to philanthropy, to discuss ways to spread the gospel of giving.
WHO ARE THEY
Self-made men and women. . .
WHY THEY GIVE
They want to make a difference. They want to make the world a better place and are grateful for the cards they drew.
WHERE THE MONEY GOES
When it comes to philanthropy, the very rich are different from everyday donors, and not only because they have more money. What follows is a snapshot of some of the more intriguing donations.
GREAT CASTLES: A ONE ACT PLAY
CHARACTERS INCLUDE: BILL AND MELINDA GATES AND WARREN BUFFET
The founders of the Giving Pledge sort through the global progress of their idea.
Why quiet, modest or so-called “humble” philanthropy is muting the potential for giving in countries across the globe.
Philanthropists everywhere are talking about "Fun" in philanthropy. What does "Fun" mean?
The British Government’s Founding Ambassador for Philanthropy 2009-2010, revisits her appointment.
Syria & Surrounds
Terrorist Funding and Philanthropy Dangerous LiaisonsOne person's terrorist may be another's freedom fighter.
There is an emerging style of philanthropy that will not accept anything but solutions and cures.
The do's and don'ts of citizen Surveillance, Sudan and George Clooney.
INDONESIA PHILIPPINES SINGAPORE THAILAND
Can Country PoliciesIn what ways is public policy encouraging or discouraging the growth of strategic philanthropy?
The fate of almost everything that's good, true and beautiful in America is in the hands of that exclusive group called trustees.
For Dickens, charity begins at home.
President of Hong Kong’s ZeShan Foundation speaks out.
One of the most profound Ottoman legacies to modern Turkey is a long history of private philanthropy.
A new coined phrase for the word 'philanthropist' is defined.
Once the masked marvel of anonymous giving, Chuck Feeney now preaches the gospel of “giving while living.”
Sudan/Britain
Mo Ibrahim: King of MobileIbrahim faces tough criticism of his prize for Achievement in African Leadership.
South Africa
Patrice Motsepe: The First African To Join The Giving PledgeHe signed The Giving Pledge with a commitment to raise millions out of poverty. Can he do it?
Chile/Argentina
Kris Tompkins: Protecting The Beauty Of The Southern WildFor Kris Tompkins, former CEO of Patagonia Inc, there was one obvious way to protect the wildlands she loves: buy, restore, and open them to the public.
Brazil
Jorge Paulo Lemann: Keeping Brazil Focused On EducationBrazil's richest man and international beer magnate, Lemann is plotting a steady philanthropic course helping his country's finest fulfill their potential.
Cuba
Gilbert Brownstone: Big Art Goes To CubaThe Swiss-American art collector thumbed his nose at American foreign policy with his biggest gift yet.
China
The Bipolar Nature of Philanthropy in Hong KongWith one of the highest concentrations of millionaires in the world, Hong Kong's philanthropic industry is still growing. But despite big donations, the city's giving remains a quiet affair.
China
Li Ka-Shing: At Home, Front and Center, With Business and GivingLi describes his foundation as a "third son" with his donating a third of his assets to support philanthropic projects in China and globally.
Indonesia Philippines Singapore Thailand
Can Country PoliciesIn what ways is public policy encouraging or discouraging the growth of strategic philanthropy?
Taiwan
Cynthia Wu: Tough LoveAfter attending The Philanthropy Workshop in New York, Ms. Wu came home and was gifted her family company's foundation. How has she done with it?
India
Shiv Nadar: Never Wait Till The Waves SubsideThe Indian billionaire is committed to rural youth in his native country. His plan? Grants for education.
China
Ada Wong: A UniterThe Good Lab, a Hong Kong initiative aimed at bringing together changemakers.
How a hundred-year old idea is reshaping philanthropy around the world.
India
Lady Natasha Ri Isaacs & Lavinia Brennan: Fashion With A Philanthropic FocusIn a crusade to raise awareness, Lady Natasha and Lavinia Brennan found the power of the celebrity-crazed press to be their greatest weapon in the fight against human trafficking.
China
When West Meets EastPresident of Hong Kong’s ZeShan Foundation speaks out.
Brought down under to lead the Australia Communities Foundation, Brooks shares what she calls her 'marvellous adventure.'
“If you give, let people know,” says Australia’s first Giving Pledger.
Allan English wants to microfinance a million people out of poverty by 2020. How's he doing?
How a hundred-year old idea is reshaping philanthropy around the world.
Once the masked marvel of anonymous giving, Chuck Feeney now preaches the gospel of “giving while living.”
The British Government’s Founding Ambassador for Philanthropy 2009-2010, revisits her appointment.
Hohn is a powerful backer in a new era of giving.
In a crusade to raise awareness, Lady Natasha and Lavinia Brennan found the power of the celebrity-crazed press to be their greatest weapon in the fight against human trafficking.
The mighty lion's most famous philanthropic quote.
Her Ambitions For Localgiving.com
How a hundred-year old idea is reshaping philanthropy around the world.
Ibrahim faces tough criticism of his prize for Achievement in African Leadership.
An icon of the art world is leveraging culture and creativity against global challenges.
A Soviet emigrant to the US, Blavatnik is becoming a generous establishmentarian in education and beyond.
How the Lord's Gatsby Foundation has spent more than fifty years at the cutting edge of British philanthropy.
Founder, backer, and global ambassador of The Funding Network, Fred Mulder explains his commitment to social giving and crowd funding.
Facilitating professional volunteering is growing in popularity in the UK as an answer to 21st century life pressures.
You can go home again.
Canada/USA
Jeff Skoll: Man and SupermanSkoll's rise is a tale of ingenuity and a belief in the power to change the world.
Canada/Britain
Fred Mulder: The Art of Giving EverydayFounder, backer, and global ambassador of The Funding Network, Fred Mulder explains his commitment to social giving and crowd funding.
Canada/Britain
Louise Blouin: Sculpting Social ImpactAn icon of the art world is leveraging culture and creativity against global challenges.
France
Chateau CharlyBed, breakfast and a bridge to development to Haiti and Sri Lanka, this social enterprise is giving their guests the power to give back.
Italy
Miuccia Prada: A Modern Day Medici?From the runway to the founding of her eponymous foundation, the designer's philanthropy is an intellectual embodiment of everything she touches.
Russian oligarchs not only face a moral responsibility to give back, their evergreen President makes sure they’re doing their bit.
Turkey/USA
Haldun Tashman: Connecting American and Turkish CommunitiesTaking the community foundation model international, social investment advocate Haldun Tashman is connecting the Turkish diaspora through interest-based giving.
Monaco/USA
Princess Grace Foundation: Celebrating 30 YearsOriginally created to salve Monaco's royal family's grief, the Princess Grace foundation celebrates three decades assisting emerging talent in theater, dance, and film.
How a hundred-year old idea is reshaping philanthropy around the world.
Turkey
The Persistence of PhilanthropyOne of the most profound Ottoman legacies to modern Turkey is a long history of private philanthropy.
Lessons From An Advisor
Sweden
Ingvar Kamprad: Ikea’s Founder is Stepping UpFrugality, philanthropy, and flat packed furniture, a fan of modest means, the Swedish billionaire has chosen local impact over luxury travel.
Ireland/USA/Australia
The Anonymist: Chuck FeeneyOnce the masked marvel of anonymous giving, Chuck Feeney now preaches the gospel of “giving while living.”
Cuba/Switzerland/USA
Gilbert Brownstone: Big Art Goes To CubaThe Swiss-American art collector thumbed his nose at American foreign policy with his biggest gift yet.
Jordan
Queen Rania Al Abudullah: Redefining Her Royal RoleQueen Rania challenges stereotypes in the Middle East and beyond.
United Arab Emirates
His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum: Poet Of InnovationHis Highness is using one of the largest charitable donations in history to ignite effective human development across Arab communities.
Israel
Len Blavatnik: Homage to Oxford, Science, & Israeli EducationA Soviet emigrant to the US, Blavatnik is becoming a generous establishmentarian in education and beyond.
Syria & Surrounds
Terrorist Funding and Philanthropy Dangerous LiaisonsOne person's terrorist may be another's freedom fighter.
One of the most profound Ottoman legacies to modern Turkey is a long history of private philanthropy.
Saudi Arabia
Her Royal Highness Princess Banderi Bint Abdulrahman Al FaisalThe Princess has a clear definition of successful philanthropy and, being a woman in Saudi Arabia, is a plus, in her view.
Originally created to salve Monaco's royal family's grief, the Princess Grace foundation celebrates three decades assisting emerging talent in theater, dance, and film.
The do's and don'ts of citizen Surveillance, Sudan and George Clooney.
Introducing social innovators directly to philanthropists, Liz Ellers is making global impact philanthropy more accessible.
Giving Pledge signatory and 2013's most generous American, Zuckerberg may not have mapped out his vision in detail, but he's wasting no time jumping in.
The leading man casting Sundance's future.
The CEO of the National Philanthropic Trust is going global with the brand and donor-advised-funds.
Learning from the Norton divorce.
LinkedIn's co-founder brings his venture capital savvy to philanthropy.
A series of international events aims to catalyze young wealth holders on their way to becoming philanthropists.
The Miami based couple think of themselves as custodians with a grand purpose, sharing their 5,000 piece modern art collection with the world.
Taking the community foundation model international, social investment advocate Haldun Tashman is connecting the Turkish diaspora through interest-based giving.
A self-made business success, Gerry Lenfest has pledged to give away most of his wealth.
A Soviet emigrant to the US, Blavatnik is becoming a generous establishmentarian in education and beyond.
The fate of almost everything that's good, true and beautiful in America is in the hands of that exclusive group called trustees.
Philanthropists everywhere are talking about "Fun" in philanthropy. What does "Fun" mean?
Skoll's rise is a tale of ingenuity and a belief in the power to change the world.
The Swiss-American art collector thumbed his nose at American foreign policy with his biggest gift yet.
Once the masked marvel of anonymous giving, Chuck Feeney now preaches the gospel of “giving while living.”
How a hundred-year old idea is reshaping philanthropy around the world.
Technology, Data-based Storytelling, and CSR
A quick look into the world of Corporate Social Responsibility.
Technology, Data-based Storytelling, and CSR
Facilitating professional volunteering is growing in popularity in the UK as an answer to 21st century life pressures.
A look at the biggest corporate givers in the U.S.A.
For Dickens, charity begins at home.
Whether you give time, money, or expertise, the author outlines how individuals can be most effective with their gifts.
How fundraising can be a socially satisfying art rather than a "have to" activity that most would prefer not do to.
Successfully challenging Princeton's (mis)use of his parents' endowment, William Robertson stood up for donors and the terms of designated contributions.
From the runway to the founding of her eponymous foundation, the designer's philanthropy is an intellectual embodiment of everything she touches.
The Miami based couple think of themselves as custodians with a grand purpose, sharing their 5,000 piece modern art collection with the world.
An icon of the art world is leveraging culture and creativity against global challenges.
How a hundred-year old idea is reshaping philanthropy around the world.
One of the most profound Ottoman legacies to modern Turkey is a long history of private philanthropy.
Skibo Castle remains one of the world's most exclusive private clubs and a catalyst for philanthropic giving.
Syria & Surrounds
Terrorist Funding and Philanthropy Dangerous LiaisonsOne person's terrorist may be another's freedom fighter.
Learning from the Norton divorce.
The CEO of the National Philanthropic Trust is going global with the brand and donor-advised-funds.
Technology, Data-based Storytelling, and CSR
With data dominating, Guidestar.org has become as familiar as Google to many American donors. Has the website filled a void for consumer education in philanthropy?
Facilitating professional volunteering is growing in popularity in the UK as an answer to 21st century life pressures.
Lessons From An Advisor