Philanthropisms
Episodes
Dr Xanthe Scharff: Mackenzie Scott gifts, collaborative funding & combatting modern slavery
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send us Fan MailOn this episode we are joined by Dr Xanthe Scharff, Managing Director for External Affairs and Editor-at-Large at the Freedom Fund, to...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #13
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send us Fan MailIn the thirteenth edition of our podcast partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we talk to more acade...
Craig Newmark on philanthropy
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send us Fan MailOn this episode we are joined by Craig Newmark - founder of Craigslist, philanthropist and recent Giving Pledge signatory - to discuss...
Myths of Philanthropy #3: Individualism and Scarcity, with Zaineb Mohammed & Devi Leiper O'Malley
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send a textIn the third and final episode of our "Myths of Philanthropy" series, Rhodri and Chiara are joined by Zaineb Mohammed (Kataly Fun...
Myths of Philanthropy #2: Presumed Expertise, with élysse marcellin & Tesmerelna Atsbeha
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send a textFor the second episode in our "Myths of Philanthropy" series, we are joined by élysse marcellin (Whose Knowledge?) and Tesmeraln...
Myths of Philanthropy #1: Legacy, with Lisa Cowan and Dimple Abichandani
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send a textIn the first episode of our mini-series on "Myths of Philanthropy", Rhodri and Chiara are joined by Lisa Cowan (Director of The H...
Myths of Philanthropy: Introduction, with Mandy van Deven & Chiara Cattaneo
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send a textRhodri is joined by Mandy van Deven and Chiara Cattaneo from Elemental, to introduce a new 3-part collaborative series on "Myths of Ph...
David Campbell & Lindsey McDougle: Can You Teach Philanthropy?
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send a textIn our 100th episode we talk to David Campbell (Binghamton University, State University of New York) and Lindsey McDougle (Rutgers Universi...
Jonathan Heawood: Philanthropy and Public Interest Journalism
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Jonathan Heawood, Executive Director of the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF), about the role philanthro...
Ann Mei Chang: Data and Civil Society
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Ann Mei Chang, CEO of Candid, about the opportunities and challenges when it comes to collecting and publishi...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #12
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the twelfth edition of our podcast partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we talk to more academics ...
What Next? 2026 Trends and Predictions for Philanthropy & Civil Society
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we offer thoughts on the trends and topics that are going to shape philanthropy and civil society in 2026. Including:Phi...
Philippa Charles: Foundations and Grantmaking
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this episode of the Philanthropisms podcast we speak to Philippa Charles OBE, Chief Executive of the DFN Foundation, about the role o...
Rachael Jarosh & Suzanne Ehlers: Women-led philanthropy for refugees and migrants
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Rachael Jarosh and Suzanne Ehlers, Chair and CEO respectively of USA for UNHCR, the US-based support organisa...
Asha Curran: Radical generosity & the power of everyday giving
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday, about the evolution of Giving Tuesday from its origins as a US-based givin...
Sonal Sachdev Patel: Reflections of a Philanthropist in Residence
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Sonal Sachdev Patel, CEO of GMSP Foundation, inaugural Philanthropist In Residence at the Marshall Institute ...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #11
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the eleventh edition of our podcast partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we talk to more academics...
Oli French & Sally Vivyan: Why and how do foundations spend down?
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Oli French (freelance consultant) and Sally Vivyan (Co-Director of Gower Street and Grants Advisor/Trustee to...
Philanthropy in an Era of Populist Politics
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we consider the rise of political populism across the world, the impact this is having on philanthropy and civil society...
Liv Egholm & Pia Gerber: Philanthropy & Democracy in Europe
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Liv Egholm, Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School, and Pia Gerber, Director of Freudenberg Stiftu...
Alisha Fernandez Miranda: Writing fiction about philanthropy
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this episode of the Philanthropisms podcast we talk to Alisha Fernandez Miranda, author of Someone's Gotta Give (out 5th August)...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #10
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the tenth edition of our podcast partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we talk to more academics wh...
RóisÃn Wood: Philanthropy & Civil Society in Northern Ireland
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Philanthropisms podcast we talk to RóisÃn Wood, CEO of the Community Foundation Northern Ireland (CFNI), about ...
The Gates Foundation and timescales for philanthropy
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we take a look at the recent announcement by Bill Gates that he now plans to give away 99% of his wealth and spend down ...
Allison Fine: Using AI to make fundraising better
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Allison Fine (President of Every.org and nonprofit tech expert) about the impact of AI on philanthropy, and h...
Sarah Jeffrey, Victoria Tayler & Lonnie Hackett: Risk, Success & Failure in Philanthropy & International Development
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we discuss risk, success and failure in the context of international development and philanthropy, with Sarah Jeffrey (V...
Natasha Friend and Maria Ahmed: Participatory Grantmaking
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we discuss participatory grantmaking with Natasha Friend, Director of Camden Giving, and Maria Ahmed, a participant in C...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #9
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the ninth edition of our podcast partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we talk to more academics wh...
Marina Jones: The history of fundraising
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Marina Jones, Executive Director of Development & Public Affairs at the English National Opera and proj...
Farai Chideya: Philanthropy, Democracy & Multiracial Pluralism
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, we talk to Farai Chideya, journalist, writer, academic and lead author of a recent report from Bridgespan Group, "...
Edouard Morena: Climate philanthropy
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we discuss climate philanthropy with Edouard Morena, Senior Lecturer in French Studies and International Politics at the...
Ted Lechterman: The philosophy of philanthropy
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to political philosopher Ted Lechterman about why philanthropy should be an important topic of study for philoso...
Daniel Stid: Philanthropy, Pluralism & Democracy
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Daniel Stid, Director of Lyceum Labs and former Program Director of U.S. Democracy at the William and Flora H...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #8
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the eighth edition of our podcast partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we hear from more academics...
2025 Philanthropy & Civil Society Trends and Predictions
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we look ahead to 2025, and offer our annual set of predictions-that-aren't-really-predictions-but-more-like-thought...
Scott Greenhalgh: Social Investment & Impact Investing
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we discuss social investment and impact investing with Scott Greenhalgh, Chair of Social and Sustainable Capital. Includ...
Milos Maricic & Giuseppe Ugazio: Philanthropy and AI
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Milos Maricic (entrepreneur and founder of the Altruist League) and Giuseppe Ugazio (Edmond de Rothschild Ass...
Why do we have tax breaks on donations?
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we explore the way that philanthropic donations are taxed. Why do so many governments around the world choose to offer t...
Lisa Greer: Philanthropy & Fundraising
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Lisa Greer, philanthropist and author of "The Essential Fundraiser's Handbook" and "Phila...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #7
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the seventh edition of our partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we hear from more academics whose ...
Philanthropy & Social Justice
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we take a deep dive into the relationship between philanthropy and social justice. Does philanthropy necessarily deliver...
Philanthropic Foundations: history, role and controversy
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we take a deep dive into the world of philanthropic foundations. What are they, how did they evolve, and what light can ...
Pamala Wiepking: Understanding Global Generosity
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, we sat down to talk about how we understand and measure global generosity with Pamala Wiepking, Stead Family Chair in...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #6
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the sixth edition of our partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we hear from more academics whose wo...
Mandy van Deven & Chiara Cattaneo: Building and resourcing narrative power
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to philanthropy and social change experts Mandy van Deven and Chiara Cattaneo about their work on building and r...
Kate Symondson: Family Foundations, Grantmaking & Next Gen Philanthropy
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Kate Symondson, Head of Philanthropy at the Symondson Foundation, about family foundations, grantmaking &...
Ian MacQuillin: Disintermediation & Fundraising Ethics
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Ian MacQuillin, Founder and Director of the fundraising think tank Rogare about the promise and perils of dis...
Fozia Irfan: Transformative Philanthropy
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Fozia Irfan OBE, Director of Impact & Influence at BBC Children in Need and recent Churchill Fellow, abou...
Anelise Hanson Shrout: The Great Irish Famine and the origins of transnational philanthropy
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to historian Anelise Hanson Shrout about her fascinating new book Aiding Ireland: The Great Famine and the rise ...
Amy Schiller: Reimagining the role of philanthropy
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we hear from author Amy Schiller about her fascinating and thought provoking new book The Price of Humanity: How philant...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #5
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the fifth edition of our partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we hear from more academics whose wo...
Krystian Seibert: Developing philanthropy in Australia
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Australian philanthropy expert Krystian Seibert about his work with the Productivity Commission's Public...
UnCharitable Special (feat. Stephen Gyllenhaal)
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this episode we take an in-depth look at the 2023 documentary film "UnCharitable", based on the book and TED talk by Dan Pa...
David Clarke: Wealth Shared
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we discuss the 'Wealth Shared' project that took place in 2023 in Liverpool, UK -Â in which 12 randomly-selec...
Mary Rose Gunn: Supporting Small Charities to Thrive
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we speak to Mary Rose Gunn, Founder and CEO of The Fore, about why small charitable organisations are so valuable and ho...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #4
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the fourth edition of our partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we hear from more academics whose...
J. Bob Alotta: AI, Philanthropy & Civil Society
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to J. Bob Alotta - SVP, Global Progammes at Mozilla - about what is happening at the intersection of artificial ...
2024 Predictions for Philanthropy & Civil Society - Part 2
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAs is now tradition, in our final episode of the year we take a look at some of the key themes and trends in philanthropy and civil soci...
2024 Predictions for Philanthropy & Civil Society - Part 1
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAs is now tradition, in our final episode of the year we take a look at some of the key themes and trends in philanthropy and civil soci...
Farahnaz Karim: Catalytic philanthropy, impact investing & the UN SDGs
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Dr Farahnaz Karim, Founder & CEO of Insaan Group, about catalytic philanthropy, impact investing and the ...
Elizabeth Barajas-Román: Feminist funding and gender equity
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we speak to Elizabeth Barajas-Román, President & CEO of the Women's Funding Network, about taking a feminist a...
Sara Lomelin: Community, Identity & Collective Philanthropy
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we speak to Sara Lomelin, founding CEO of Philanthropy Together, about the rise of giving circles and the intersection b...
Joshua Amponsem: Funding youth climate justice work
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Joshua Amponsem, co-founder and Strategy Director of the Youth Climate Justice Fund, a newly-formed organis...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #3
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis is the third edition of our partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), in which we talk to academics...
Aaron Horvath: Civil Society & the Limits of Measurement
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Aaron Horvath, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Stanford University's Center on Philanthropy & Civi...
Lorena Gonzalez & Jes Olvera: Philanthropy, justice and child migrants
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, we talk to Lorena Gonzalez and Jes Olvera from the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights about their work supp...
Martha Awojobi: Anti-Racism, Philanthropy & Fundraising
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Martha Awojobi, Founder/CEO of JMB Consulting about the upcoming BAMEOnline conference and about what it mean...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #2
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we hear from three academics whose work is featured in the latest batch of short, practitioner-focused Research Notes fr...
Philanthropy, Civil Society and AI
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we take a deep dive into the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence might bring for philanthropy and ...
Patricia Illingworth: Philanthropy & Human Rights
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this episode, we talk to philosopher and lawyer Patricia Illingworth about her recent book Giving Now: Accelerating Human Rights for...
Pluralism in Philanthropy
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we take a deep dive into an issue that has been generating a lot of debate recently: is pluralism in philanthropy a good...
Philanthropy & Music
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we take a look at the long history of the relationship between philanthropy and music. Including:Philanthropy supporting...
Dr Ewan Kirk - philanthropy & giving 'permission to fail'
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to philanthropist Dr Ewan Kirk, founder of the Turner Kirk Trust, about why he believes it is so important that ...
Michael Thatcher: Rating charities
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Michael Thatcher, CEO of US nonprofit rating service Charity Navigator, about why and how the organisation ...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #1
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis episode is the first of what will hopefully be a regular series, in partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy ...
Emma Beeston & Beth Breeze - Advising Philanthropists
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode Rhod talks to philanthropy adviser Emma Beeston and academic Dr Beth Breeze about their new book Advising Philanthropist...
Tris Lumley (NPC): Open Philanthropy
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this episode, as part of our occasional mini-series in partnership with NPC, we talk to Tris Lumley about open philanthropy: what it ...
Claire Dunning: Philanthropy, State & Society in the US
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to historian and political scientist Claire Dunning about her book Nonprofit Neighborhoods: An urban history of ...
Jake Ferguson & Vanessa Thomas, Baobab Foundation: Creating a new kind of philanthropic funder
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode Rhod talks to Jake Ferguson and Vanessa Thomas, two of the Committee members of the Baobab Foundation - a new member-led...
Profit and Purpose? Philanthropy's relationship with business
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we take a deep dive into the relationship between philanthropy and business. Commercial ventures have always played a ke...
2023 Predictions for Philanthropy & Civil Society
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn our last episode of the year, we take a look at some of the key issues and trends affecting philanthropy and civil society right now ...
Too Much Philanthropy News! (The downfall of Sam Bankman-Fried, plus Bezos's big pledge & Scott's latest gifts).
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we take a look at a few of the biggest stories from what has been a notable newsworthy couple of weeks for philanthropy ...
Sara Slaughter & Derek Mitchell: Proximity and Radical Humility in Grantmaking
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, Rhodri talks to Sara Slaughter, Executive Director of the W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation, and Derek Mitchell...
Philanthropy, Gratitude & Recognition
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we explore whether it is always necessary to say thank you for a philanthropic gift, whether it might sometimes be probl...
Martha Lackritz-Peltier: Technology, International Development & Cross-Border Giving
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, Rhod talks to Martha Lackritz-Peltier, General Counsel of nonprofit technology specialist TechSoup, about using tech to...
The Cost of Living Crisis: with Angela Kail (NPC)
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode Rhodri is joined by Angela Kail (Director of Consulting at New Philanthropy Capital (NPC)) to take a look at the growing...
Emma Saunders-Hastings: Philanthropy, Inequality & Democracy
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to political philosopher Emma Saunders-Hastings about her new book Private Virtues, Public Vices: Philanthropy ...
Derek Bardowell - Philanthropy, Justice & Giving Back
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Derek Bardowell, CEO of Ten Years Time Ltd and author of new book Giving Back: How to do good better, We di...
Charles Keidan - Philanthropy Journalism & Key Issues in Civil Society
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Charles Keidan, editor of Alliance magazine, about why we need philanthropy journalism and what some of the k...
Tainted Donations: Can you do good with bad money?
23 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we explore the long history of concerns that some money may be "tainted", and ask what this means for philanth...
David P. King: Faith & Philanthropy
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we discuss the links between religion, faith and giving with David P. King, Karen Lake Buttrey Director of the Lake Inst...
Cryptophilanthropy: boom or bust?
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we take a look at the opportunities and challenges that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology bring for giving and ...
Tyrone McKinley Freeman: Madam C. J. Walker & the History of Black Philanthropy
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Tyrone McKinley Freeman, Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies at the Lilly Family School of Philanthr...
Philanthropy and Disaster Response
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, in light of recent high-profile disasters in places like Ukraine, Afghanistan and Tigray, we take a look at the long-st...
Sadaf Shallwani: Shifting Power & Supporting Communities
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Sadaf Shallwani, Director of Learning and Evaluation at the Firelight Foundation, about funding systems chang...
Teddy Schleifer: Reporting on Big Money Philanthropy
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Teddy Schleifer, Senior Reporter at Puck News, about what is going on in big money philanthropy in the US, an...
Cassie Robinson: Transforming Philanthropy From Within?
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Cassie Robinson, a leading philanthropy thinker, connector and innovator, and formerly Deputy Director of Fun...
Mihaela Giurgiu: An Eastern European Perspective on Philanthropy
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Mihaela Giurgiu, a philanthropy expert from Romania who works as a mapping, research and peer-learning expert...
The Platformisation of Philanthropy
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we take a look at the growing prevalence of "platform philanthropy" (i.e. giving and organising via online pla...
Maribel Morey: White Philanthropy
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, Rhod talks to author and historian Maribel Morey about her new book White Philanthropy: Carnegie Corporation's &ap...