Rhodri Davies
@rhodridavies.bsky.social
Unrepentant philanthro-nerd. Director of Why Philanthropy Matters (www.whyphilanthropymatters.com). Host of Philanthropisms podcast. Research Fellow at Centre for Philanthropy, Uni of Kent. Author of two books about... you guessed it.... philanthropy.
Pinned
Rhodri Davies
@rhodridavies.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Now seems like the moment for an intro post I can pin, so:
Hello, I'm Rhodri.👋 I mostly like to talk about philanthropy and civil society (historical, current and future).
I may also offer occasional opinions about obscure math/noise rock bands & express sorrow about the state of Welsh rugby.
Hello, I'm Rhodri.👋 I mostly like to talk about philanthropy and civil society (historical, current and future).
I may also offer occasional opinions about obscure math/noise rock bands & express sorrow about the state of Welsh rugby.
OUT NOW: I am joined on the Philanthropisms podcast by the inimitable Asha Curran from @givingtuesday.bsky.social, to discuss how the organisation evolved from a US day of giving to a global movement for generosity, and what they've learned in the process:
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/asha...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/asha...
Asha Curran: Radical generosity & the power of everyday giving - Why Philanthropy Matters
whyphilanthropymatters.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:04 PM
OUT NOW: I am joined on the Philanthropisms podcast by the inimitable Asha Curran from @givingtuesday.bsky.social, to discuss how the organisation evolved from a US day of giving to a global movement for generosity, and what they've learned in the process:
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/asha...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/asha...
The RSPB's social media team once again winning the internet for the day.
October 31, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The RSPB's social media team once again winning the internet for the day.
New Why Philanthropy Matters article exploring Peter Thiel's recent Antichrist lectures, his efforts to stop Elon Musk giving to charity, and what his worldview and approach might tell us about wider trends shaping the future of philanthropy.
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/pete...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/pete...
Peter Thiel and Philanthropy in the End of Days - Why Philanthropy Matters
whyphilanthropymatters.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:22 AM
New Why Philanthropy Matters article exploring Peter Thiel's recent Antichrist lectures, his efforts to stop Elon Musk giving to charity, and what his worldview and approach might tell us about wider trends shaping the future of philanthropy.
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/pete...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/pete...
Exciting moment yesterday with the arrival of a copy of the new Chinese edition of my book "What is Philanthropy For?"
I can't actually read it, of course, but it looks & feels great; so I can confidently say that it would make a great gift for any Chinese-speaking philanthropoids out there...
I can't actually read it, of course, but it looks & feels great; so I can confidently say that it would make a great gift for any Chinese-speaking philanthropoids out there...
September 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Exciting moment yesterday with the arrival of a copy of the new Chinese edition of my book "What is Philanthropy For?"
I can't actually read it, of course, but it looks & feels great; so I can confidently say that it would make a great gift for any Chinese-speaking philanthropoids out there...
I can't actually read it, of course, but it looks & feels great; so I can confidently say that it would make a great gift for any Chinese-speaking philanthropoids out there...
Reposted by Rhodri Davies
After one too many conversations about the ways GenAI + peer review = shitshow for all involved, I dashed off this slightly polemic commentary on how I think we should talk about GenAI as an epistemic carcinogen.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
August 13, 2025 at 5:15 AM
After one too many conversations about the ways GenAI + peer review = shitshow for all involved, I dashed off this slightly polemic commentary on how I think we should talk about GenAI as an epistemic carcinogen.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
New episode of the podcast out now, featuring a really fun conversation with Alisha Fernandez Miranda about her new book "Someone's Gotta Give" - a comic tale set in the world of philanthropy advice that also manages to raise some pretty big questions:
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/alis...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/alis...
Alisha Fernandez Miranda: Writing fiction about philanthropy - Why Philanthropy Matters
whyphilanthropymatters.com
July 10, 2025 at 8:37 AM
New episode of the podcast out now, featuring a really fun conversation with Alisha Fernandez Miranda about her new book "Someone's Gotta Give" - a comic tale set in the world of philanthropy advice that also manages to raise some pretty big questions:
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/alis...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/alis...
Reposted by Rhodri Davies
New on our blog, @rhodridavies.bsky.social reflects on his session on #AI in the #nonprofit sector for our Education for Philanthropy Professionals (EPP) course and how #philanthropy professionals can bridge the gap between knowledge and action in an era of rapid change.
Read the interview:
Read the interview:
Exploring AI and Strategic Foresight in Philanthropy with Rhodri Davies - Stanford PACS
Rhodri Davies, a leading thinker on philanthropy and technology, recently joined Stanford PACS’ Education for Philanthropy Professionals (EPP) program to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in...
pacscenter.stanford.edu
June 24, 2025 at 3:40 PM
New on our blog, @rhodridavies.bsky.social reflects on his session on #AI in the #nonprofit sector for our Education for Philanthropy Professionals (EPP) course and how #philanthropy professionals can bridge the gap between knowledge and action in an era of rapid change.
Read the interview:
Read the interview:
Reposted by Rhodri Davies
An interesting (and topical) @rhodridavies.bsky.social interview on Philanthropy & Civil Society in Northern Ireland with Róisín Wood of Community Foundation NI. We're proud to partner with CFNI on the Community Solutions to Housing & Homelessness programme. www.philanthropisms.com/1862997/epis...
Róisín Wood: Philanthropy & Civil Society in Northern Ireland - Philanthropisms
In this episode of the Philanthropisms podcast we talk to Róisín Wood, CEO of the Community Foundation Northern Ireland (CFNI), about the landscape for philanthropy and civil society in Northern Irela...
www.philanthropisms.com
June 16, 2025 at 9:30 AM
An interesting (and topical) @rhodridavies.bsky.social interview on Philanthropy & Civil Society in Northern Ireland with Róisín Wood of Community Foundation NI. We're proud to partner with CFNI on the Community Solutions to Housing & Homelessness programme. www.philanthropisms.com/1862997/epis...
New ep of the Philanthropisms podcast out now - a fascinating & timely conversation w/ Roisin Wood from Community Foundation Northern Ireland about philanthropy & civil society in NI, and the role of funders and CSOs in overcoming division and polarisation:
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/rois...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/rois...
Róisín Wood: Philanthropy & Civil Society in Northern Ireland - Why Philanthropy Matters
whyphilanthropymatters.com
June 12, 2025 at 8:32 AM
New ep of the Philanthropisms podcast out now - a fascinating & timely conversation w/ Roisin Wood from Community Foundation Northern Ireland about philanthropy & civil society in NI, and the role of funders and CSOs in overcoming division and polarisation:
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/rois...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/rois...
The latest Why Philanthropy Matters newsletter went out today.
Including Bill Gates's Spending Sooner Surprise, a duo of philanthropy rankings, a victory in defence of UK civic space, silicon valley & the future of philanthropy, and tainted gambling wealth.
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
Including Bill Gates's Spending Sooner Surprise, a duo of philanthropy rankings, a victory in defence of UK civic space, silicon valley & the future of philanthropy, and tainted gambling wealth.
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
June 4, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The latest Why Philanthropy Matters newsletter went out today.
Including Bill Gates's Spending Sooner Surprise, a duo of philanthropy rankings, a victory in defence of UK civic space, silicon valley & the future of philanthropy, and tainted gambling wealth.
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
Including Bill Gates's Spending Sooner Surprise, a duo of philanthropy rankings, a victory in defence of UK civic space, silicon valley & the future of philanthropy, and tainted gambling wealth.
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
Reposted by Rhodri Davies
New episode of the podcast out today, taking a look at the recent announcement by Bill Gates that he is bringing forward plans to give away 99% of his wealth and spend down his foundation to a new end date of 2045.
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/the-...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/the-...
The Gates Foundation and timescales for philanthropy - Why Philanthropy Matters
whyphilanthropymatters.com
May 22, 2025 at 8:31 AM
New episode of the podcast out today, taking a look at the recent announcement by Bill Gates that he is bringing forward plans to give away 99% of his wealth and spend down his foundation to a new end date of 2045.
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/the-...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/the-...
New episode of the podcast out today, taking a look at the recent announcement by Bill Gates that he is bringing forward plans to give away 99% of his wealth and spend down his foundation to a new end date of 2045.
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/the-...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/the-...
The Gates Foundation and timescales for philanthropy - Why Philanthropy Matters
whyphilanthropymatters.com
May 22, 2025 at 8:31 AM
New episode of the podcast out today, taking a look at the recent announcement by Bill Gates that he is bringing forward plans to give away 99% of his wealth and spend down his foundation to a new end date of 2045.
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/the-...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/the-...
Reposted by Rhodri Davies
Managed to get to Eryri over the weekend and do the Bochlwyd Horseshoe in the sunshine, which was a blast.
Would deffo recommend going up Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge- great fun.
Would deffo recommend going up Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge- great fun.
May 12, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Managed to get to Eryri over the weekend and do the Bochlwyd Horseshoe in the sunshine, which was a blast.
Would deffo recommend going up Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge- great fun.
Would deffo recommend going up Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge- great fun.
Managed to get to Eryri over the weekend and do the Bochlwyd Horseshoe in the sunshine, which was a blast.
Would deffo recommend going up Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge- great fun.
Would deffo recommend going up Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge- great fun.
May 12, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Managed to get to Eryri over the weekend and do the Bochlwyd Horseshoe in the sunshine, which was a blast.
Would deffo recommend going up Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge- great fun.
Would deffo recommend going up Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge- great fun.
I chipped in a brief comment for this AP piece about Bill Gates's new plans to spend down over the next 20 years:
apnews.com/article/bill...
(And thanks to the magic of press syndication, I am also clocking up media appearances today in some brilliantly improbable places as a result...)
apnews.com/article/bill...
(And thanks to the magic of press syndication, I am also clocking up media appearances today in some brilliantly improbable places as a result...)
Bill Gates pledges his remaining fortune to the Gates Foundation, which will close in 20 years
Bill Gates says he will donate 99% of his remaining tech fortune to the Gates Foundation. Today, that would be worth an estimated $107 billion.
apnews.com
May 9, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I chipped in a brief comment for this AP piece about Bill Gates's new plans to spend down over the next 20 years:
apnews.com/article/bill...
(And thanks to the magic of press syndication, I am also clocking up media appearances today in some brilliantly improbable places as a result...)
apnews.com/article/bill...
(And thanks to the magic of press syndication, I am also clocking up media appearances today in some brilliantly improbable places as a result...)
I was very sceptical about Star Wars TV spin offs for a long time, - assuming they were basically the embodiment of the stifling death of originality - but having just watched ep 3 of season 2 of Andor I'm now pretty convinced this is the best thing on TV by an absolute country mile.
April 25, 2025 at 7:57 PM
I was very sceptical about Star Wars TV spin offs for a long time, - assuming they were basically the embodiment of the stifling death of originality - but having just watched ep 3 of season 2 of Andor I'm now pretty convinced this is the best thing on TV by an absolute country mile.
The latest edition of the Philanthropisms podcast is the 9th in our partnership series with ERNOP. This time featuring:
This time, featuring conversations with Mark Ørberg,
Michele Fugiel Gartner and Oonagh Breen.
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/erno...
This time, featuring conversations with Mark Ørberg,
Michele Fugiel Gartner and Oonagh Breen.
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/erno...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #9 - Why Philanthropy Matters
whyphilanthropymatters.com
April 3, 2025 at 8:06 AM
The latest edition of the Philanthropisms podcast is the 9th in our partnership series with ERNOP. This time featuring:
This time, featuring conversations with Mark Ørberg,
Michele Fugiel Gartner and Oonagh Breen.
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/erno...
This time, featuring conversations with Mark Ørberg,
Michele Fugiel Gartner and Oonagh Breen.
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/erno...
Reposted by Rhodri Davies
FYI the latest Why Philanthropy Matters newsletter went out today.
Featuring: Michael Sheen's debt cancellation philanthropy, Sleaford Mods on the value of volunteering, and does eating seafood make you more generous? (And no, that's not an April fool).
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
Featuring: Michael Sheen's debt cancellation philanthropy, Sleaford Mods on the value of volunteering, and does eating seafood make you more generous? (And no, that's not an April fool).
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
Why Philanthropy Matters Newsletter March 2025
preview.mailerlite.io
April 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
FYI the latest Why Philanthropy Matters newsletter went out today.
Featuring: Michael Sheen's debt cancellation philanthropy, Sleaford Mods on the value of volunteering, and does eating seafood make you more generous? (And no, that's not an April fool).
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
Featuring: Michael Sheen's debt cancellation philanthropy, Sleaford Mods on the value of volunteering, and does eating seafood make you more generous? (And no, that's not an April fool).
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
FYI the latest Why Philanthropy Matters newsletter went out today.
Featuring: Michael Sheen's debt cancellation philanthropy, Sleaford Mods on the value of volunteering, and does eating seafood make you more generous? (And no, that's not an April fool).
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
Featuring: Michael Sheen's debt cancellation philanthropy, Sleaford Mods on the value of volunteering, and does eating seafood make you more generous? (And no, that's not an April fool).
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
Why Philanthropy Matters Newsletter March 2025
preview.mailerlite.io
April 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
FYI the latest Why Philanthropy Matters newsletter went out today.
Featuring: Michael Sheen's debt cancellation philanthropy, Sleaford Mods on the value of volunteering, and does eating seafood make you more generous? (And no, that's not an April fool).
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
Featuring: Michael Sheen's debt cancellation philanthropy, Sleaford Mods on the value of volunteering, and does eating seafood make you more generous? (And no, that's not an April fool).
preview.mailerlite.io/preview/4671...
Reposted by Rhodri Davies
New on Why Philanthropy Matters: exploring Elon Musk's recent claim that "empathy is the fundamental weakness of western civilization".
What does he mean, where does the idea come from & is he right?
(Spoiler: No, he isn't. But it's important to know why).
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/is-e...
What does he mean, where does the idea come from & is he right?
(Spoiler: No, he isn't. But it's important to know why).
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/is-e...
Is Elon Musk right that “empathy is the fundamental weakness of western civilization?” - Why Philanthropy Matters
whyphilanthropymatters.com
March 28, 2025 at 8:56 AM
New on Why Philanthropy Matters: exploring Elon Musk's recent claim that "empathy is the fundamental weakness of western civilization".
What does he mean, where does the idea come from & is he right?
(Spoiler: No, he isn't. But it's important to know why).
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/is-e...
What does he mean, where does the idea come from & is he right?
(Spoiler: No, he isn't. But it's important to know why).
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/is-e...
New on Why Philanthropy Matters: exploring Elon Musk's recent claim that "empathy is the fundamental weakness of western civilization".
What does he mean, where does the idea come from & is he right?
(Spoiler: No, he isn't. But it's important to know why).
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/is-e...
What does he mean, where does the idea come from & is he right?
(Spoiler: No, he isn't. But it's important to know why).
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/is-e...
Is Elon Musk right that “empathy is the fundamental weakness of western civilization?” - Why Philanthropy Matters
whyphilanthropymatters.com
March 28, 2025 at 8:56 AM
New on Why Philanthropy Matters: exploring Elon Musk's recent claim that "empathy is the fundamental weakness of western civilization".
What does he mean, where does the idea come from & is he right?
(Spoiler: No, he isn't. But it's important to know why).
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/is-e...
What does he mean, where does the idea come from & is he right?
(Spoiler: No, he isn't. But it's important to know why).
whyphilanthropymatters.com/article/is-e...
Every once in a while I remember with a jolt the time when I was in year 7 and a boy in my class who hadn't done any work on the term-long music project just did the whole rap from "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and claimed he'd written it.
Never backed down, either.
Never backed down, either.
March 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Every once in a while I remember with a jolt the time when I was in year 7 and a boy in my class who hadn't done any work on the term-long music project just did the whole rap from "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and claimed he'd written it.
Never backed down, either.
Never backed down, either.
Reposted by Rhodri Davies
OUT NOW: For the latest episode of the Philanthropisms podcast, I took a very enjoyable deep dive into the history of fundraising with @marinajones.bsky.social
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/mari...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/mari...
Marina Jones: The history of fundraising - Why Philanthropy Matters
whyphilanthropymatters.com
March 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
OUT NOW: For the latest episode of the Philanthropisms podcast, I took a very enjoyable deep dive into the history of fundraising with @marinajones.bsky.social
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/mari...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/mari...
OUT NOW: For the latest episode of the Philanthropisms podcast, I took a very enjoyable deep dive into the history of fundraising with @marinajones.bsky.social
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/mari...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/mari...
Marina Jones: The history of fundraising - Why Philanthropy Matters
whyphilanthropymatters.com
March 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
OUT NOW: For the latest episode of the Philanthropisms podcast, I took a very enjoyable deep dive into the history of fundraising with @marinajones.bsky.social
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/mari...
whyphilanthropymatters.com/podcast/mari...
I know 90s nostalgia is all the rage right now, but I think that England/Wales game took it a bit too far tbh.
March 15, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I know 90s nostalgia is all the rage right now, but I think that England/Wales game took it a bit too far tbh.