Give Smart: Philanthropy that Gets Results

by Thomas J. Tierney, Joel L. Fleishman

A decade ago, Thomas J. Tierney left Bain & Company to cofound The Bridgespan Group, a nonprofit focused on helping donors and nonprofit leaders to develop and execute strategies to accelerate social change. In Give Smart , Tierney pools his hands-on knowledge with Duke professor Joel L. Fleishman's expertise to create a much-needed primer for philanthropists and the nonprofit organizations they support. Drawing from personal experiences, research spanning twentieth- and twenty-first-century philanthropy, contemporary interviews, and Bridgespan's extensive field work, Give Smart presents the definitive guide to engaged philanthropy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Economics, Society

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 29, 2011

Reviews

[Jonathan Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like other readers, I expected this book to be a discussion on how to make smart decisions on charitable donations. However, the target audience is the wealthy looking to start their own foundations. Somehow I doubt the wealthy are picking up a paperback in order to be more informed.

However, there are still some nuggets of wisdom to be mined here. Firstly, many donors are guilty three things: 1) peanut butter giving, spreading donations over too many charities, 2) not doing enough homework on the charities' effectiveness, and 3) not making decisions based on IMPACT.

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Earlier this year, I listened to NPR's Planet Money podcast on a charity that gives its donations to the poor in Kenya, no strings attached. (http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/0...). I later found that it is considered one of the most effective charities in the world by GiveWell.org (http://www.givewell.org/charities/top...). The idea of getting the most bang for your charitable dollar is also advocated by professor Peter Singer from Yale.

I'm not endorsing Givedireclty, but rather the idea that we should spend sometime reading and thinking about where our charitable donations should go. To that end, "Give Smart" is not the right place to start, rather I recommend Peter Singer's "Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty."

[Nicole L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for anyone interested in becoming a philanthropist. Authors laid out a step by step approach to doing philanthropy the right way.

[Daniel Hageman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aside from being a bit outdated given the prominence of the Effective Altruism movement, and that guidance that it provides, this book highlights a variety of issues that philanthropists should consider, especially in regards to legacy planning and intentions of future gifts.

[K1c · Rating 4 out of 5]

super sharp and practical at its best, missing a critique of its readers' politics but that's not what the book is for

[Marius Ciuzelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Am I getting better?” is a question about continuous improvement, not the status quo.
“Am I getting better?” is a challenging question, because it means confronting a basic, and uncomfortable, fact of life: getting better —striving for excellence — is a choice. A fundamental choice.
Life offers many ways of getting lucky, but getting better, steadily better, requires learning. This is as true for philanthropists as it is for athletes, business executives, actors, and doctors. It applies to hobbies (improving a golf handicap) and to our personal lives (learning to be a good husband/ wife/ parent).
A book covers quite many aspects of how to get better as philanthropist and give smarter with a biggest impact possible. If you have already an idea of sharing your experience, knowledge, time or money with those in need, I do recommend to read the book.

[CTEP]

Working in a non-profit organization I wanted to get some more insight on the mechanics of philanthropy in general so I started reading Give Smart: Philanthropy That Gets Results by Thomas J Tierney and Joel L. Flieshman. Drawing from their own experiences as non-profit founders and chairmen and education in public policy they try to deliver to their readers an expert's guide for donars and non-profit leaders.

I wouldn't recommend this book to another CTEP/AmeriCorps member because the main target audience is the higher scale of philanthropy, like big givers and non-prof directors who manage budgeting. I did, however, enjoy the structure of the book which is divided into chapters each titled with a question that the reader should ask herself. For example, "What are my values and beliefs?"; "What is success?"; "What am I accountable for?"; "What will it take to get the job done?" I read the book as a reference for my future and for getting to know how the budgeting of programs at my site are funded, however each chapter was so detailed that it was kind of intimidating to me considering the point in my life that I'm at right now.

Finally, I think the book would be a tremendously helpful resourse for non-profit leaders to reexamine their value of philanthropy and ensure that they are indeed succeeding in effectively meeting the needs of their community members and making the budget they have work for their participants.

[Brian Grasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. It sets the bar high for itself by claiming to be the "Good to Great" for philanthropy, but regardless of whether it achieved that high aim, it's a worthwhile read for anyone involved in planned, strategic giving with large sums. It gives insights into the philanthropic "industry" which is plagued by a lack of accountability and uniform standards for excellences, and it provides a map to navigate the complex waters of improving the world by employing philanthropic capital. Good case studies, humble approach, good respect for the complexity of the problems (wicked, intractable, etc) that givers and nonprofits address.

[Christopher Mahussier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended reading for financial advisors, fundraisers, and philanthropists. One of the best combinations of philanthropic framework and story telling I've come across in the field. Adding to my books to give out list.

[Langston Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really has me thinking more strategically about how I give. Imagine if we were more intentional about how we have to our churches and alma maters, the impact we have on communities and institutions could be much greater.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advice for giving smart; plain and simple. Definitely gave me a good scope of the world of philanthropy.
Despite good content, I thought I was very repetitive and often dry.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is aimed at a fairly narrow audience and I think succeeds largely because of that. Concise and practical. Would highly recommend.

[Dannon Nicholes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned many things I can start applying now and in the future in the ways I give. Every philanthropist should read this regardless of if they have a foundation or not.

[Sidnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of a work book club and really enjoyed and will be applying to my daily work. Goal to read 5-work related books this year!

[Chinarut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone who aspires to be a philanthropist. I've been volunteering with organizations and individuals and everything in between including non-profit and for-profit for 14 years. Some of my most intense experiences is my time in Thailand from 2003-2008 where just about everybody could use your support in one form or another - it's life in a developing country. After coming back to the states (and a 3 month stint in Japan just prior) - this book really helped me sort out what I've been doing over the past 7 years - designing a system and acquiring frameworks to create focus the next time I return to Thailand. The book is really good at introducing some basic "inquiries," questions to think about as to where you wish to focus your time and energy. I went into book knowing other reviewers expressed their opinions on how this book is targeted for wealthy individuals and I agree and disagree. I was glad the book takes into account that your time and money aren't the only things you give away. the 3rd thing is your influence - what you do with your network. This very aspect began to speak to some of the challenges I run into - there are so many causes and just when you pick one - you'll find an infinite # of ways to break that one down! I got burnt out in the process. So after about 3 years of work running with the Business Model You to both clarify my own values, I've discovered it's been a great building block - a means to get straight about what others value without getting into a super lengthy conversation as life on the edge is always shifting on a moment to moment basis. Take this kind of development work into this book and you have a very strong foundation.

The book is full of great stories and reads amazingly easy thanks to Nan Stone (her efforts are quite clear once you've read the book!) - I've been curious about Bridgespan for quite some time and got some amazing references to foundations and efforts out there I never heard of that may prove to be valuable. So if you even have an ounce around thinking you are a philanthropist, read this book, don't wait 5 years like I did -you won't be disappointed as your gut is absolutely correct - we are all here to serve and if you put aside all the semantics - you gift the energy you have available in this life no matter how it shows up and what you choose to call yourself! In my opinion, "philanthropy" is a word invented to start and keep a conversation around giving in society - so just keep giving! :)

[Tie Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a thought-provoking book that philanthropists and grantmakers should give at least a very good skim. Important considerations include investing in a grantee's operational capacity, determining a strategy to 'seed the field' versus choosing one (or a few) to scale up, optimal donor-donee relationship, and how you want to approach impact assessment.

While I couldn't agree more on the 3 core messages around: understanding what you hope to achieve; how you will achieve that; and being disciplined about continuous improvement, I thought the book could have either been condensed in its current format or enriched with more greater details on the successes and failures of cases that were cited as examples.


Favorite quotes:

- "Philanthropy is a buyer's market." (There isn't a notion of a "company favorable" term sheet that you might see in venture capital)

- "Foundations operate in a Galapagos Island-type setting where there are no natural predators. Foundations persist but not necessarily excel."

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A philanthropist will never have access to the resources necessary to effect permanent and positive change alone. But a theory of change that is collaborative, informed, mutually respectful, focused, accountable and invested for the long term can have unlimited potential. Philanthropists need to leverage not only their financial resources, but also their networks and public influence to effect change. Philanthropy must move away from the duplication and reinvention of activities, and focus on permanently improving the lives of those more vulnerable.

[Philip Mcclarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was somewhat surprised by the overall rating the book received, but then once I read the comments I could tell why. The book has a pretty specific audience(those with a large amount of money to give away--either individuals or trustees of large philanthropic trusts), and is somewhat a small introductory textbook on how to be attempt to achieve excellence through giving. It appears to take many "business" principals and apply them to philanthropy in order to get the desired results.

[Jam · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent reference for those currently working at a private/corporate/community/family foundation or donor-advised fund and for those who are serious about giving effectively. Many people have good intentions when they enter philanthropy but as the authors say,"setting out to do 'good' isn't enough....while everyone involved may be feeling good about what they're doing, that does not necessarily mean they're actually doing good."

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a person with finance experience, I took this book as entirely common sense. From my brief career in the non-profit space, I realize that many non-profit folks lack this knowledge. For those of you in the non-profit space, this is a very good read -- its provides perspective on the real issues at NPs.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A look at how philanthropists can get smarter and better about how to invest their funds. Tierney and Fleishman do a good job of giving philanthropists ways to put process and thought around their investments. Good for any person who gives their money to non profits to think about how they go about this charity.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book that helps bridge the differences of worldview between the workers of a charity and the donors who wish to help those charities. It helps assure that neither side is seen as "wrong", but to address the things that each side does, often unconsciously, that can cause the donations and the work to not have the intended effect.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written with inspiring and honest examples. It was a good read, challenging the reader (in whatever role they play in philanthropy) to be diligent in what / how / why they give. I think this will lead to a good and interesting discussion.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the real-life examples that the authors included in this book about real-life philanthropists and foundations.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was highly recommended to me -- I thought it was only ok. I would've liked more on exploring my values and beliefs.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I was seeking more of a 'personal philanthropy' angle, I finished this targeted-to-foundation-execs-and-founders book with some encouragement to continue to focus on defining goals.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually didn't finish... just got bored and decided to stop being bored.

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aimed for the elite who have the ability to create a foundation, and hire staff. Not exactly a match for the clients I work with. Interesting stories though.

[Virgilyo de Souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on philanthropy. Recommend to anyone who are willing to serve.

[David Rubenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful overview of key steps in giving effectively for philanthropic individuals and foundation executives. Ambitious program with a solid foundation.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not rating this because it's not my cup of tea, but I read it for my Philanthropy class.