Disciplining Generosity

Since 2017 we have taught a graduate course on Advising Donors within the MA Philanthropic Studies programme at the University of Kent in the UK. Whilst designing and delivering that course it became clear how little robust research or best practice information was available on this topic, so we decided to write a book to fill that gap. Advising Philanthropists: Principles and Practice draws together the knowledge and practical insights that we have gained during our combined 48 years working in fundraising and studying philanthropy (Beth) and working in grant-making and as a philanthropy advisor (Emma). This material is enhanced by interviews with 40 philanthropy advisors across 15 countries who kindly shared with us their motivations for doing this work, what it involves, the challenges they face, the highlights that make it worthwhile, and their hopes for the impact of this work. Shining a spotlight on philanthropy advisors - who they are, how they work and to what effect - has been a pleasurable task. It has also been an important step in making this part of social change work more transparent. We hope the insights in our book help to attract more people into this profession, enable colleagues to better understand their work, and lead to greater understanding that philanthropic funding of successful social innovation rarely happens by accident.