Donor and Governmental Perceptions of Philanthropy

Philanthropy is, and always has been, supply led rather than demand driven:

the freedom to distribute as much as one wants, to whom one chooses, is

what distinguishes giving from paying tax. Yet the depiction of philanthropy in

governmental documents often underestimates its subjectivity and complexity.

Take, for example, this statement from the Giving White Paper:

We believe that everyone can make a difference. So we want to empower

and encourage more people to get involved, support each other and

create the change they want to see. (HM Government, 2011: 8)

Such a statement raises many questions: Who wants to make a difference, and

to what? Who wants to get involved, and in what? Which people are interested

in supporting which other types of people? Do all donors want to create change,

or are some indifferent to change, or indeed seeking to resist change?