Many donors are less interested in charity than in change. They want to have a big impact by shifting the priorities of society, shifting what government does, shifting public policy
A small class of new super-rich billionaires are using their fortunes to shape every aspect of the society we live in: education, government, policy, public health, and social services.
We discussed this issue with David Callahan, author of “The Givers”, a book that carefully documents this phenomenon and the impact this trend is having on our society.
David Callahan is serial nonprofit entrepreneur, having founded both Inside Philanthropy and Demos. He’s also a prolific author of books and articles, including The Cheating Culture and Fortunes of change.
*****Timestamped Highlights*****
(4:08) Callahan describes the size, wealth, and dramatic increase of today’s billionaire class
(5:15) The societal forces that have centralized our nation’s wealth among several hundred
There is a fair amount of dark money in philanthropy. Quite a bit of philanthropy money is flowing anonymously now, and it raises some questions. In terms of who these donors are and what they want.
(6:48) Why billionaires are turning to philanthropy
(8:23) How these philanthropists are different from the last guilded age
(9:58) Why billionaire philanthropists like to donate large amounts
(13:56) The impact of dark money in philanthropy
(20:15) The impact that billionaire donors have on their millionaire peers.
(27:00) Something to Remember: Why and how ordinary citizens still have power in Washington and state governments.
Links:
Inside Philanthropy
Purchase The Givers on Amazon
David Callahan on Twitter
David Callahan on LinkedIn