Towards a Philanthropy for the 21st Century? From Philanthrocapitalism to Relational Philanthropy and Beyond

Seminar for the Japan NPO Research Association (JANPORA) by Tobias Jung

For over a century, philanthropy has been on the search for more effective and efficient approaches to giving. Historically, this journey has ranged from Andrew Carnegie’s idea of ‘scientific philanthropy’, to recent notions of ‘venture philanthropy’, ‘entrepreneurial philanthropy’, and ‘philathrocapitalism’. These approaches, characterised by their adoption of market motifs and methods, have significantly shaped recent discourse within the philanthropy field. However, they have been criticised for their over-emphasis on neoliberal traditions and ideologies.

In response, recent years have seen the emergence of a countermovement. This emphasises beneficiary involvement and user-focused paradigms in philanthropy. Here, notions such as ‘community philanthropy’, ‘engaged philanthropy’, and ‘relational philanthropy’ highlight and emphasise a shift towards more inclusive and relationally driven practices.

Drawing on ongoing work at the Centre for the Study of Philanthropy & Public Good, this session will critically explore and interrogate these trends, their emphases, opportunities, and challenges. It will then propose and explore an integrated model of philanthropy as a reflective framework for practitioners and theorists alike, with the aim to foster a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of, and approach to, philanthropic practices that resonate with broader contemporary societal needs.