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Ihad the opportunity to meet Matthew Bishop, business editor for The Economist and author of Philanthrocapitalism, at a dinner about the “Future of Philanthropy.” It was fascinating to hear Matt talk about the role of the wealthy and the future of giving.
“People who give are much more likely to come up with the answer … to all the problems the word is facing” than governmnets and politicians are,” he says in this 2 1/2-minute video interview conducted at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
An overview of his book:
“An examination of how today’s leading philanthropists are revolutionizing the field, using new methods to have a vastly greater impact on the world.
“For philanthropists of the past, charity was often a matter of simply giving money away. For the philanthrocapitalists – the new generation of billionaires who are reshaping the way they give – it’s like business. Largely trained in the corporate world, these “social investors” are using big-business-style strategies and expecting results and accountability to match. Bill Gates, the world’s richest man, is leading the way: He has promised his entire fortune to finding a cure for the diseases that kill millions of children in the poorest countries in the world.
“In Philanthrocapitalism, Matthew Bishop and Michael Green examine this new movement and its implications. Proceeding from interviews with some of the most powerful people on the planet—including Gates, Bill Clinton, George Soros, Angelina Jolie, and Bono, among others—they show how a web of wealthy, motivated donors has set out to change the world. Their results will have huge implications: In a climate resistant to government spending on social causes, their focused donations may be the greatest force for societal change in our world, and a source of political controversy.
Combining on-the-ground anecdotes, expert analysis, and up-close profiles of the wealthy and powerful, this is a fascinating look at a small group of people who will change an enormous number of lives.”
More than that, we talked about how young people could explore and get into giving and nonprofits and Matt’s highlights from Davos. It was a real honor to meet him and connect over the next-generation of philanthropy.
This post originally appeared on the MySpace Journal.Sloane Berrent is a cause-based marketing consultant who works with nonprofits and social cause organizations. See her business profile, contact Sloane or leave a comment.
