Giving Thought

In episode 53, we look at structure and philanthropy. Exploring how philanthropy and civil society has become structured over time, what the drivers for this are, and what new possibilities the future may hold. Including:  The reformation and the dismantling of medieval catholic infrastructure for giving Urbanisation, poverty and associated philanthropy The charitable/philanthropic tradition vs the mutual/cooperative tradition in the UK Concerns about 'faction' and voluntary association in the US Benefits of structure: coordination, economies of scale, setting and maintaining strategy, separating the individual from their role, making rules explicit Structure and power: formalisation as a form of social control? Endowed structures: foundations, trusts and waqfs Nonprofit and charity structures in the UK and US Donor Advised Funds and Charitable Remainder Trusts Non-traditional structures: LLCs, B Corps etc. Disintermediating giving: direct cash transfers and crowdfunding Network social movements and the "Tyr