Philanthropisms Marina Jones: The history of fundraising
Mar 20, 2025
52:45
In this episode we talk to Marina Jones, Executive Director of Development & Public Affairs at the English National Opera and project lead on the history of fundraising for the fundraising think tank Rogare. Including:
- Why is a historical perspective on fundraising valuable?
- Is fundraising a particularly hidden part of the history of charity/philanthropy? If so, why?
- Are there useful practical lessons modern fundraisers can learn from their historical counterparts about techniques and approaches that work?
- Are there relevant historical lessons about some of the potential ethical issues that arise from fundraising?
- Can we find useful historical precedents for some of the recurrent criticisms of fundraising?
- How have fundraisers harnessed new communications technologies throughout history (e.g. printing, radio, telegraph, TV)?
- What role has commemoration and recognition of donors played in the history of fundraising?
- How have celebrities been used for fundraising purposes throughout history
- How far back can we trace the idea of using commercial approaches to raise money for charity?
- What role did fundraising play in bringing women further into the public sphere?
- What can we learn from portrayals of philanthropy and fundraising in literature or popular culture?
Related links:
- Rogare's history of fundraising project
- Timelines of fundraising history: the classical world (1000BCE-475CE), The Middle Ages (476-1499), Modern era (1500-1899), 20th and 21st century
- Marina's blog
- Scott Cutlip's seminal 1965 book Fund Raising in the United States: Its role in America's Philanthropy (available to borrow on Internet Archive).
- WPM timeline of UK Philanthropy
- Rhod's 2016 book Public Good by Private Means: How philanthropy shapes Britain
- Philanthropisms interview with Ian MacQuillin from Rogare
- Philanthropisms episodes on philanthropy and music; gratitude and recognition; and tainted donations