For Good or For Ego? Changing Motivations for Philanthropy and Their Impact on Funding

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Nonprofits often appeal to donors’ compassion to inspire giving. In reality, individuals give for many other reasons, including giving for tax benefits, or because donors admire the social entrepreneur leading a particular organization. Others may choose to give to enhance their real or perceived social status—achieving immortality by having their name on a building—which has become a boon for hospitals, universities, libraries, and museums.

Emerging research in the philanthropic sector raises concerns that donor empathy as a primary cause of giving may be declining, driven by donor burnout, and overtaken by more narcissistic reasons. Is this an actual trend, manifesting across all donor segments? And if so, what might this mean for the foundations of civil society and philanthropy?  This complimentary SSIR Live! webinar will explore motivations for giving, changes over time in charitable giving, and possible generational differences in approaches to philanthropy.

Sara Konrath from Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University will be joined by Virginia B Clark, assistant secretary emerita for advancement, Smithsonian Institution and Of Counsel for Marts and Lundy Inc. and they will discuss what this research potentially means for nonprofits, foundations, fundraisers and those committed to social good. To provide greater context before joining the webinar, we encourage you to read a recently published article by authors from the Lilly School in Stanford Social Innovation Review, “Eight Myths of US Philanthropy.”