Send us a text
In this episode Rhod talks to philanthropy adviser Emma Beeston and academic Dr Beth Breeze about their new book Advising Philanthropists. Including:
- What are some of the key elements of philanthropy advice?
- How much is philanthropy advice about objective, technical things (e.g. tax, structures etc) and how much is it about subjective things (about finding purpose, understanding values etc)?
- At what stage in their ‘philanthropic journey’ are donors most likely to seek advice?
- Where do donors tend to get philanthropy advice from? What impact does the source of the advice have on the nature of the advice?
- Is philanthropy advice normally a one-off or time limited service, or an ongoing relationship?
- To what extent do advisers see their role as neutral agents servicing the demands of donors vs active agents challenging them/shaping their approach?
- What factors make for a successful donor/adviser relationship?
- What does “success” look like for a philanthropy adviser? (i.e. more giving, ‘better giving’, both?)
- What are some of the biggest challenges/frustrations for philanthropy advisers?
- How common is it for private banks/wealth management firms to offer philanthropy advice?
- When they do, is this seen as a business proposition (i.e. by increasing client retention, strengthening relationships etc), or part of the company’s social responsibility?
- What are the core skills you need to be a philanthropy adviser?
- What is the relationship like between philanthropy advisers and fundraisers? Do the latter see the former as useful points of contact with wealthy donors, or unhelpful gatekeepers?
- What role can philanthropy advisers play in helping to manage the transfer of wealth between generations?
- Are there any signs that next gen donors are more or less willing to seek advice on their giving?
- Are next gen donors looking for the same kind of advice as previous generations or different kinds?
- How much power do advisers have to shape donor’s giving?
- Does this bring responsibilities (e.g. to be transparent about who they are, and what role they play?)
- How many advisers see it as part of their role to make donors aware of critiques of philanthropy and offer them ways of addressing them?
Related Links:
