Good For Ratings? MrBeast & Philanthropy in the Attention Economy
Hugely successful YouTuber MrBeast has become well known for his model of on-screen “Beast Philanthropy”. We take a look at what it is, why it has become controversial & what we should make of it.
Lost in the Crowd: Philanthropy, Population Debates & The Shadow of Eugenics
As debate grows over whether we should be more concerned about over-population or declining birth rates, we explore why philanthropy has such a problematic history when it comes to engaging with population issues, and what lessons this holds for modern-day donors and non-profits.
You’re the Philanthropist Now!: A roll-your-own adventure
If you had the resources to be a philanthropist, how would you go about it? We explore some of the key choices and issues.
Politically Correct? Charities, Campaigning & Politics
Why does the relationship between charities and politics in the UK continue to cause so much debate? What benefits does charity campaigning bring, and what risks does it pose? And are the rules governing this area fit for purpose, or do we need a radical rethink?
The Business of Philanthropy: Patagonia and nonprofit corporate ownership
Yvon Chouinard’s decision to hand ownership of outdoor fashion company Patagonia to two newly-created nonprofit entities has made headlines around the world. We explore the precedents for his approach and what they might tell us about the questions we should be asking.
Why am I not an Effective Altruist?
We explore why, despite there being plenty to admire about Effective Altruism, many are still uneasy about the movement’s ideas and influence.
Keeping Bad Company: What Does the Blackbaud/NRA Controversy Mean For Nonprofits?
Following concerns about links between social good tech provider Blackbaud and the NRA, we assess how this fits into wider debates about “tainted” money and the ethics of tech platforms.
Cold as Charity: philanthropy and the notion of the “undeserving poor”
As political controversy over food banks rages once more, we take a look at the deep historical connections between philanthropy and how we understand poverty.
Funding Change: Lessons from the history of philanthropy & the fight for LGBT+ rights
As we enter LGBT+ history month, we shine a light on one piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked: the role that philanthropy and charity has played.
Give Full Measure: Why are we so bad at measuring giving and why does it matter?
Why is it so difficult to say exactly how much giving there actually is?
Mock Generosity: A Brief History of Satirising Philanthropy
Why has philanthropy long been a favourite target of satirists, and what can this tell us about giving today?
The Edgelord Giveth: Elon Musk & a new era of discourse about philanthropy?
Will the world’s richest man bring his usual combative approach to his giving? What could this mean for philanthropy more broadly?
Learn from our past to better understand our future.
Philanthropy has a long and varied history. We’ve created bite-size chapters that you can jump in and out of to better understand philanthropy.
