The World Charity Index 2015

F munity foundations becoming worldwide players.
GIVING AS A FREE-MARKET EXPRESSION
But why do particular business people take
part in these activities? Firstly, the foundation
market is a free market. Foundations belong,
according to philanthropy experts Anheier
and Leat, to the “freest institutions of the
world, as they are not held accountable by the
general public, political or market forces”. Second,
the world of foundations is a playground
for entrepreneurial philanthropists who are
eager to introduce business principles into the
NGO sector. And remember: giving is not just
giving away – it’s investing.
The founder of the academic discipline of
philanthropy, Bob Payton, sees a particular
role for philanthropy. Together with his co-author
Moody, he stresses the “advocacy” and
”civic role” of philanthropy, which is essential
in democracies: “We have argued that philanthropy
plays an essential role in defining, advocating
and achieving the public good.
Philanthropic actions are a key part of the ongoing
public deliberation about what the
public good is and how best to pursue it...
Both government and philanthropy provide
public goods. Sometimes they do so in partnership
– government money is a primary
source of funding for non-profit organizations
– and other times philanthropy steps in
to provide public goods... when both the market
and government fail to do so. Democracy
needs philanthropy because democracy is not
simply a political phenomenon”.
More than ever before, with the troubles facing
the world today, democratic forces need
to act. Foundations do.