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.
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...
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...
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.
Died OTD in 1932, American Labour rights activist & social reformer Florence Kelley.
She argued that working class giving could be a force for strengthening democratic rights, but elite philanthropy often acted as "riot insurance" designed to subdue demands for change from the working class.
She argued that working class giving could be a force for strengthening democratic rights, but elite philanthropy often acted as "riot insurance" designed to subdue demands for change from the working class.
February 17, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Died OTD in 1932, American Labour rights activist & social reformer Florence Kelley.
She argued that working class giving could be a force for strengthening democratic rights, but elite philanthropy often acted as "riot insurance" designed to subdue demands for change from the working class.
She argued that working class giving could be a force for strengthening democratic rights, but elite philanthropy often acted as "riot insurance" designed to subdue demands for change from the working class.
Born OTD in 1909, French philosopher, mystic & social activist Simone Weil.
In a collection of letters published in 1950 as "Attente de Dieu" ("Waiting for God"), she argued that the distinction so often drawn between charity & justice is in fact illusory and problematic:
In a collection of letters published in 1950 as "Attente de Dieu" ("Waiting for God"), she argued that the distinction so often drawn between charity & justice is in fact illusory and problematic:
February 3, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Born OTD in 1909, French philosopher, mystic & social activist Simone Weil.
In a collection of letters published in 1950 as "Attente de Dieu" ("Waiting for God"), she argued that the distinction so often drawn between charity & justice is in fact illusory and problematic:
In a collection of letters published in 1950 as "Attente de Dieu" ("Waiting for God"), she argued that the distinction so often drawn between charity & justice is in fact illusory and problematic:
It's also interesting to note in the context of current interest in the relationship between funders & social movements that Alinsky was deemed unfundable by some big name foundations early on (quote taken from Erica Kohl-Arenas's
"The Self-Help Myth"):
"The Self-Help Myth"):
January 30, 2025 at 4:38 PM
It's also interesting to note in the context of current interest in the relationship between funders & social movements that Alinsky was deemed unfundable by some big name foundations early on (quote taken from Erica Kohl-Arenas's
"The Self-Help Myth"):
"The Self-Help Myth"):
Born OTD in 1909, pioneering US community organizer Saul Alinsky.
His Industrial Areas Foundation became a major force in building broader organising capacity & his "Rules for Radicals" & "Reveille for Radicals" remain key texts for those organising communities and movements.
His Industrial Areas Foundation became a major force in building broader organising capacity & his "Rules for Radicals" & "Reveille for Radicals" remain key texts for those organising communities and movements.
January 30, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Born OTD in 1909, pioneering US community organizer Saul Alinsky.
His Industrial Areas Foundation became a major force in building broader organising capacity & his "Rules for Radicals" & "Reveille for Radicals" remain key texts for those organising communities and movements.
His Industrial Areas Foundation became a major force in building broader organising capacity & his "Rules for Radicals" & "Reveille for Radicals" remain key texts for those organising communities and movements.
In particular, the minority report made a point that is oft-heard (even among those who favour state provision): that philanthropy/voluntary action is particularly well-placed to drive innovation and person-centred approaches.
January 22, 2025 at 8:59 AM
In particular, the minority report made a point that is oft-heard (even among those who favour state provision): that philanthropy/voluntary action is particularly well-placed to drive innovation and person-centred approaches.
In terms of Beatrice's views on role of voluntary action & philanthropy in a welfare state, Beveridge certainly thought that she was in favour of it, hence he approvingly quoted her.
(Tho that might have something to do with him wanting to back up his own views, of course...):
(Tho that might have something to do with him wanting to back up his own views, of course...):
January 22, 2025 at 8:59 AM
In terms of Beatrice's views on role of voluntary action & philanthropy in a welfare state, Beveridge certainly thought that she was in favour of it, hence he approvingly quoted her.
(Tho that might have something to do with him wanting to back up his own views, of course...):
(Tho that might have something to do with him wanting to back up his own views, of course...):
Beatrice's notably spiky and often high-handed manner may well have played a part in making divisions in the Poor Law Commission even worse than they might otherwise have been, as reported in Owen's "English Philanthropy 1660-1960":
January 22, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Beatrice's notably spiky and often high-handed manner may well have played a part in making divisions in the Poor Law Commission even worse than they might otherwise have been, as reported in Owen's "English Philanthropy 1660-1960":
The Webbs were on the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and Relief of Distress (1905-09), but ended up disagreeing violently w/ commission's broader consensus & Beatrice led the writing of a separate minority report outlining a more radical vision for further state involvment.
January 22, 2025 at 8:59 AM
The Webbs were on the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and Relief of Distress (1905-09), but ended up disagreeing violently w/ commission's broader consensus & Beatrice led the writing of a separate minority report outlining a more radical vision for further state involvment.
Borh OTD in 1858, economist, sociologist, Fabian thinker & co-founder of the LSE, Beatrice Webb.
She and her husband Sidney played a key role in the development of the UK welfare state out of the prior system of philanthropic provision.
She and her husband Sidney played a key role in the development of the UK welfare state out of the prior system of philanthropic provision.
January 22, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Borh OTD in 1858, economist, sociologist, Fabian thinker & co-founder of the LSE, Beatrice Webb.
She and her husband Sidney played a key role in the development of the UK welfare state out of the prior system of philanthropic provision.
She and her husband Sidney played a key role in the development of the UK welfare state out of the prior system of philanthropic provision.
His point (backed up by this other quote from later in the same piece) is that in seeking justice through systemic solutions (which we should definitely do), we musn't lose sight of the importance of basic humanity and care for individuals, for fear of becoming cold and paternalistic.
January 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
His point (backed up by this other quote from later in the same piece) is that in seeking justice through systemic solutions (which we should definitely do), we musn't lose sight of the importance of basic humanity and care for individuals, for fear of becoming cold and paternalistic.
It actually appears in the course of a discussion of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, where MLK suggests (slightly critically it must be said) that perhaps this was the reasonable that the priest & the Levite did not help the wounded man, but the Samaritan did.
January 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
It actually appears in the course of a discussion of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, where MLK suggests (slightly critically it must be said) that perhaps this was the reasonable that the priest & the Levite did not help the wounded man, but the Samaritan did.
Born OTD in 1929, civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
You might well already know his classic quote on the relationship between philanthropy and justice - but have you ever wondered about the exact context in which King made these remarks?
You might well already know his classic quote on the relationship between philanthropy and justice - but have you ever wondered about the exact context in which King made these remarks?
January 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Born OTD in 1929, civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
You might well already know his classic quote on the relationship between philanthropy and justice - but have you ever wondered about the exact context in which King made these remarks?
You might well already know his classic quote on the relationship between philanthropy and justice - but have you ever wondered about the exact context in which King made these remarks?
Died OTD in 1919, writer, naturalist & 26th US President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.
Here he is outlining his view on "tainted" donations & the question of whether the nature of some wealth undermines the legitimacy of trying to do good by giving it away:
Here he is outlining his view on "tainted" donations & the question of whether the nature of some wealth undermines the legitimacy of trying to do good by giving it away:
January 6, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Died OTD in 1919, writer, naturalist & 26th US President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.
Here he is outlining his view on "tainted" donations & the question of whether the nature of some wealth undermines the legitimacy of trying to do good by giving it away:
Here he is outlining his view on "tainted" donations & the question of whether the nature of some wealth undermines the legitimacy of trying to do good by giving it away:
Starting off the New Year by sitting in an out of hours National Trust car park in the dark, waiting for a flatbed recovery lorry to come and take me and my car 70 miles home.
I am holding on to the thought that things can only go upwards from here.
I am holding on to the thought that things can only go upwards from here.
January 1, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Starting off the New Year by sitting in an out of hours National Trust car park in the dark, waiting for a flatbed recovery lorry to come and take me and my car 70 miles home.
I am holding on to the thought that things can only go upwards from here.
I am holding on to the thought that things can only go upwards from here.
🎄Advent day 24- Christmas Eve🎄
For the final window of our nerdy philanthropy calendar we have this pithy thought on whether our ambition should always be to shift from charity to justice, from Jerome K Jerome's marvellous 1908 short story "The Angel and The Author".
Merry Xmas.
For the final window of our nerdy philanthropy calendar we have this pithy thought on whether our ambition should always be to shift from charity to justice, from Jerome K Jerome's marvellous 1908 short story "The Angel and The Author".
Merry Xmas.
December 24, 2024 at 9:21 AM
🎄Advent day 24- Christmas Eve🎄
For the final window of our nerdy philanthropy calendar we have this pithy thought on whether our ambition should always be to shift from charity to justice, from Jerome K Jerome's marvellous 1908 short story "The Angel and The Author".
Merry Xmas.
For the final window of our nerdy philanthropy calendar we have this pithy thought on whether our ambition should always be to shift from charity to justice, from Jerome K Jerome's marvellous 1908 short story "The Angel and The Author".
Merry Xmas.
I'm not sure the Christmas bagels haven't got slightly out of hand this year.
December 23, 2024 at 3:46 PM
I'm not sure the Christmas bagels haven't got slightly out of hand this year.
🎄Advent day 23🎄
Today we have "Mischevious Christmas Charity", an 1895 letter to The Standard newspaper, from a clergyman complaining about unhelpful portrayals of need at Xmas that could encourage "indiscriminate giving".
Today we have "Mischevious Christmas Charity", an 1895 letter to The Standard newspaper, from a clergyman complaining about unhelpful portrayals of need at Xmas that could encourage "indiscriminate giving".
December 23, 2024 at 9:28 AM
🎄Advent day 23🎄
Today we have "Mischevious Christmas Charity", an 1895 letter to The Standard newspaper, from a clergyman complaining about unhelpful portrayals of need at Xmas that could encourage "indiscriminate giving".
Today we have "Mischevious Christmas Charity", an 1895 letter to The Standard newspaper, from a clergyman complaining about unhelpful portrayals of need at Xmas that could encourage "indiscriminate giving".
Eliot reiterates the point in another passage that feels v relevant to philanthropy, drawing a contrast between the emotional impact of fiction and the cold rationality of statistics & theoretical generalisations:
December 22, 2024 at 9:51 AM
Eliot reiterates the point in another passage that feels v relevant to philanthropy, drawing a contrast between the emotional impact of fiction and the cold rationality of statistics & theoretical generalisations:
Advent day 22.🎄
Today we have Mary Ann Evans AKA George Eliot, with this insight on the importance of fiction as a means of engaging people with social issues and driving empathy (from an article in the Westminster Review in 1856):
Today we have Mary Ann Evans AKA George Eliot, with this insight on the importance of fiction as a means of engaging people with social issues and driving empathy (from an article in the Westminster Review in 1856):
December 22, 2024 at 9:51 AM
Advent day 22.🎄
Today we have Mary Ann Evans AKA George Eliot, with this insight on the importance of fiction as a means of engaging people with social issues and driving empathy (from an article in the Westminster Review in 1856):
Today we have Mary Ann Evans AKA George Eliot, with this insight on the importance of fiction as a means of engaging people with social issues and driving empathy (from an article in the Westminster Review in 1856):
Nerdy philanthropy advent Day 21.🎄
And today we've got optimist, anarchist & Father Christmas lookalike Peter Kropotkin, with his view of why mutual aid is reflective of fundamental human nature:
And today we've got optimist, anarchist & Father Christmas lookalike Peter Kropotkin, with his view of why mutual aid is reflective of fundamental human nature:
December 21, 2024 at 2:36 PM
Nerdy philanthropy advent Day 21.🎄
And today we've got optimist, anarchist & Father Christmas lookalike Peter Kropotkin, with his view of why mutual aid is reflective of fundamental human nature:
And today we've got optimist, anarchist & Father Christmas lookalike Peter Kropotkin, with his view of why mutual aid is reflective of fundamental human nature:
As you can see from these snippets, even if the specification of his giving seems narrow and somewhat capricious, it continued to help people for more than 100 years (and still does, albeit more indirectly these days)
December 20, 2024 at 11:31 AM
As you can see from these snippets, even if the specification of his giving seems narrow and somewhat capricious, it continued to help people for more than 100 years (and still does, albeit more indirectly these days)
I first learned about this from David Owen's "English Philanthropy 1660-1860" and assumed it was probably mildly apocryphal.
But then I discovered this year that no - its definitely just a real thing.
Here's Cornelius Christmas's actual gravestone for a start:
But then I discovered this year that no - its definitely just a real thing.
Here's Cornelius Christmas's actual gravestone for a start:
December 20, 2024 at 11:31 AM
I first learned about this from David Owen's "English Philanthropy 1660-1860" and assumed it was probably mildly apocryphal.
But then I discovered this year that no - its definitely just a real thing.
Here's Cornelius Christmas's actual gravestone for a start:
But then I discovered this year that no - its definitely just a real thing.
Here's Cornelius Christmas's actual gravestone for a start: