In The Everyday Philanthropist: A Better Way to Make a Better World, dedicated fundraiser and social impact veteran Dan Pallotta delivers an insightful and inspirational treatment of giving, charity, impact, overhead ratios, and philanthropy for people of all ages and abilities. This breakthrough exploration of charity and activism brings home the message that philanthropy is for everyone - from wealthy benefactors to high school activists and families who want their lives to impact their communities.
In the book, you’ll find: - New ideas about turning giving into a daily activity and a lifestyle focused on making a difference - 32 digestible and easy-to-understand micro-chapters - complete with clear and helpful graphics - on critical aspects of everyday philanthropy - Comprehensive and actionable info designed to make this book your pocket guide to giving
An essential and engaging new way of thinking about charity, philanthropy, and giving, The Everyday Philanthropist is a must-read guide for activists, fundraisers, nonprofit managers and board members, and other social impact professionals and volunteers.
Table of Contents
Introduction I
Part One The Good Citizen: Philanthropy and You 1
Ch 1 Why Charity? 3
Ch 2 Why Giving? 9
Ch 3 You Are a Philanthropist 13
Ch 4 The Difference Between Acute and Chronic Issues: Empathy Today vs Strategy for Tomorrow 17
Ch 5 Is There a Difference Between Giving to a Nonprofit and Giving to a Charity? 21
Ch 6 Are All Cancer Charities Alike? Services vs Solutions 25
Ch 7 Why Do You Give? Do You Really Understand Your Motives? 29
Ch 8 What’s Your Cause for Life? 33
Part Two Good Information Gathering 39
Ch 9 Find a Great Organization 41
Ch 10 The Three Essential Questions 43
Ch 11 First Question: Goals 47
Ch 12 Second Question: Progress 51
Ch 13 Third Question: How They Improve 55
Ch 14 Don’t Rely on Others for Simple Answers 63
Part Three Good Information Filtering: Don’t Be Duped by Dumbed-Down Data 67
Ch 15 Questions NOT to Ask 69
Ch 16 Stop Asking About Overhead 73
Ch 17 Overhead Ratios Tell You Nothing About Impact 77
Ch 18 Overhead Ratios Weaken Charitable Services and Programs 85
Ch 19 Overhead Measures Discriminate Against Underdog Causes 91
Ch 20 Overhead Measures Weaken Civil Society and Diminish Civic Engagement 97
Ch 21 Overhead Measures Hide Unfair Differences in Accounting 105
Ch 22 Overhead Measures Discourage Growth 113
Ch 23 Demanding Low Salaries Undermines Your Strategy to Help the Most People 117
Part Four Good Media Consumption: Monitor Truth in Media 121
Ch 24 Be Responsible and Rigorous When Learning About Charities in the Media 123
Ch 25 Case Study: CNN and Boys & Girls Clubs of America 125
Ch 26 Case Study: The New York Times and Wounded Warrior Project 133
Ch 27 Case Study: ProPublica on the American Red Cross 141
Part Five Are We Good? 151
Ch 28 It’s Time to Rethink Charity 153
Ch 29 Recap 161
Ch 30 You 165
Ch 31 Afraid You’ll Forget? 167
Ch 32 Want to See It on Film and Video? 169
Thank You 175
