In episode 76 we talk to global philanthropy expert Kris Putnam-Walkerly about her new book "Delusional Altruism", and about how philanthropists and funders are being affected by - and responding to - the COVID-19 pandemic. Including:

• What is "delusional altruism"?
• Why does a scarcity mind-set affect so many donors and funders? Is this particular to philanthropy?
• Why is the "overhead myth" so prevalent, and why is it so problematic?
• Are there signs that funders are changing their behaviour during the current crisis? (Moving to unrestricted funding, trust-based grantmaking etc.) Is this likely to lead to longer-term changes?
• How many donors are willing to give away power as well as money? (And will the current crisis put even more focus on approaches such as participatory grantmaking?)
• Do we need to redefine what is perceived as "failure" in philanthropy?
• How many donors see funding advocacy as a course of action, rather than direct services? If it is less common, why is that?
• How can we balance the imperative to respond to short-term needs in a crisis with ensuring that philanthropy makes the most of its strengths in taking a longer-term view? What does this mean for current debates on spending down endowments?
• How should we rate philanthropy's response to the current crisis?
• Will anything fundamentally change as a result of what we are going through? If so, what?

Related Links

• Kris's new book, "Delusional Altruism"
• Kris's author profile on Forbes
• Kris's Alliance Magazine blog
• Kris on Twitter
• Our recent CAF Giving Thought blog and podcast on philanthropy & civil society post COVID-19.