How donors decide which charity to support
We have recently concluded a research project, funded within the ESRC Centre for Charitable Giving & Philanthropy, which explores how donors make choices between the many charities that seek their support. In an article in Fundraising magazine, we present findings from this study and argue that even the most committed donors have difficulty evaluating the merits of the many requests they receive, and often fall back on strategies such as supporting activities they enjoy, issues they have personal experience of, and causes they have previously supported. http://bit.ly/esrcreport A view from within the practitioner community, written by the chief executive of the Bluefrog fundraising agency, offers support and elaboration of our findings http://bit.ly/bluefrog
New book on poverty, philanthropy and the state
CPHSJ Associate Dr Kate Bradley has published a new book, Poverty, Philanthropy and the State: Charities and the Working Classes in London 1918-1979. Through a case study of the university settlements in London, the book draws out the ways in which the relationship between philanthropy and the state changed as political imperatives and social needs shifted in the course of the twentieth century. The book provides a fascinating insight into the history of voluntary social service, and will appeal to historians as well as those interested in contemporary issues around welfare, youth, race relations, community health and advice and advocacy. Copies can be purchased at http://bit.ly/bradleybook and it is also available through Amazon and local bookshops.
The 2009 Million Pound Donor report: ongoing dissemination and media coverage
The second edition of our Million Pound Donor report [insert link http://www.kent.ac.uk/sspssr/cphsj/documents/mpdrv10.pdf has been widely discussed in the media and we are continuing to present this research to large fundraising charities, with visits in recent months to Marie Curie Cancer Care, Cancer Research UK and the RNLI. For a fresh summary and analysis of the key findings, please see this article in the current edition of Caritas magazine.
International research conference on the history of voluntary action
We are delighted to be hosting the next gathering of the Voluntary Action History Society, which will meet here at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus from 14th16th July 2010. Plenary speeches will be given by Professor Hugh Cunningham, who will talk about the birth of philanthropy and Professor Clare Midgley, who will discuss charity reformers in the age of empire on both sides of the Atlantic. Over sixty papers will be presented and delegates are expected from many different countries including Australia, Canada and the USA. For further information on how to attend what promises to be an interesting and enjoyable summer conference, please see the Voluntary Action History website www.vahs.org.uk
A free source of information on philanthropy news
If you’d like to receive regular updates on the latest news from the philanthropy sector, you can subscribe for free to Philanthropy UK’s fortnightly news bulletin and quarterly newsletter. CPHSJ’s Beth Breeze is involved with this initiative, which provides free and impartial advice to philanthropists who want to give effectively. Sign up at http://www.philanthropyuk.org/Newsletter/Subscribe
Blogging and Tweeting
We are now posting regular blogs at https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/philanthropy/ and you can follow us on Twitter at UKCPhilanthropy. These interactive sites are a great way to discuss the latest research and news, so please do join in the conversation.
Keeping in touch
If you do not wish to receive these updates from CPHSJ then please reply with ‘Unsubscribe’ in the subject line. If you want to discuss our research, explore areas of mutual interest or just say hello, then please don’t hesitate to get in contact with any of the team here at Kent, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Best wishes from all at the Centre for Philanthropy, Humanitarianism and Social Justice at the University of Kent