This year time seems to have disappeared at warp speed as we have reached Issue 4: December 2013! Our aim has been to present our readers with a depth and breadth of articles and information on and about philanthropy that generates vigorous international debate.

 

Since our first issue you, our readers and authors, have provided such positive feedback and we hope you this ‘bumper issue’ to your liking.

 

This edition opens with David Gold discussing the ‘dark side’ of philanthropy. 2013 saw social investment became the ‘hot’ topic, and in this issue we feature the UK deal of the year, and Arthur Wood the role of social investment in building resilience to natural disaster.

 

This issue also takes a deep dive into philosophical world of philanthropy. Michael Green explores the pros and cons of endowment and spend out foundations, Amy Schiller asks can billionaire philanthropists save the world?, and Russell Willis Taylor wonders if brand philanthropy is distorting the very essence of giving.

 

Muslim philanthropy is increasingly being discussed. We offer a brief historical overview and ten key points, as well as case studies from the Maldives and Pakistan.

 

We also consider the role of philanthropy in tackling poverty. Paul Polak and Mal Warwick believe that giving can’t save the world, whilst the article Cash to the Poor: Pennies from Heaven describes how conditional and unconditional cash transfers are being used: there is no magic bullet.

 

As you know, advisors play an exceptionally important role in philanthropy and in a wake up call for advisers Jim Coutre offers a summary of the latest American research and Emma Turner, from the UK, muses on why philanthropy advisory services have not grown as fast as was expected. Steve Martin, our empiricist for this issue, looks at what number of messages produces the most persuasive appeal: works for any industry.

 

Kurt Hoffman’s final article in our Hoffman’s Challenge series, does not disappoint, as he proposes that doing better through innovation is the best route for civil society to do the most good.

 

On behalf of Philanthropy Impact, it has been a pleasure creating Philanthropy Impact Magazine and we hope you find this issue interesting and thoughtprovoking because we have enjoyed compiling it.

 

Why not tell us what do you think? Or, propose an idea for an article? We would love to hear from you, email editor@philanthropy-impact.org

 

Wishing you all the very best for this festive holiday season. 

 

Sue and Michael