Giving Compass' Take:

• A case study based on recent data discusses how philanthropy is making an impact on inequality in India. 

• How can philanthropy support changemakers and drive progress in social justice and inequality? 

Read this article on the ethics of reducing inequality. 


There has been a global boom in the growth of philanthropic institutions over the past 25 years. Interestingly, there has also been a steady rise in global inequality, both between and within countries. Having worked in diverse capacities in the education and development sectors in India over the past 8 years — sectors that have many philanthropic institutions as their driving force — I was curious about the relationship between philanthropy and inequality in India.

One of my course assignments gave me the right opportunity to delve deeper into this issue. More importantly, it helped me critically reflect on philanthropy and the social impact space during a time of political turbulence.

Let us first consider a more general but key question: how are philanthropy and democracy connected?

Indeed, we are challenged regarding compatible values, benefits, and who gets to define them for philanthropy within a democracy. A key facet of democracy is the commitment to political equality so that citizens have equal opportunity for political participation and influence and are recognised as equals in the public domain. A consequence of this principle is that when socioeconomic inequalities are exacerbated, a democratic society’s commitment to political equality is threatened. Therefore, both the political process and the tangible outcome of solving inequality matter in a democratic society.

Read the full article about philanthropy and inequality by Jophin Mathai at Medium.