This article
In this issue
- Prospects for a Big Society? Special Issue of People Place and Policy Online: Guest Editorial
by Peter Wells - Big Society and community: lessons from the 1998-2011 New Deal for Communities Programme in England
by Paul Lawless - Private giving and philanthropy – their place in the Big Society
by Cathy Pharoah - 'Do-gooders, pink or fluffy, social workers' need not apply? An exploration of the experiences of the third sector organisations in the European Social Fund and Work Programme
by Richard Crisp, Ellie Roberts and Dave Simmonds - A Big Society in Yorkshire and the Humber?
by Peter Wells, Mark Crowe, Jan Gilbertson and Tony Gore - Review Article - The Big Society and participation failure
by Rob Macmillan
Private giving and philanthropy – their place in the Big Society
Summary
While government has clearly signalled the importance it attaches to the growth of charitable giving and philanthropy in building the Big Society, there has been little appraisal of what needs to be achieved through this approach, and how far growth is feasible. This paper identifies current thinking and policy expectations of giving and philanthropy, and the messages which emerge from a review of evidence on current distribution, the donors, donations and emerging demand. It looks at how far philanthropy is likely to take the place of statutory support, and meet new needs. It is concluded that charitable giving is far more driven by donor preference and less socially instrumental than many acknowledge. An increase in the scale of charitable giving and philanthropy may only lead to an expansion in its role if it is accompanied by a new awareness of public need.
