Global Perspectives on Philanthropy and Public Good Book Series
Lead Editors Professor Tobias Jung, Dr Shona Russell and Professor Alina Baluch, Centre for the Study of Philanthropy & Public Good, University of St Andrews, Scotland
Published by the University of Bristol’s Policy Press, the Centre’s Global Perspectives on Philanthropy and Public Good book series brings together contemporary research, thinking and knowledge on philanthropy and its relationship to public good. Taking an international and interdisciplinary focus, the Series emphasises engaged scholarship and thinking.
Please click here to access the Series’ Rationale and Guidance document.
The Full Proposal Form in MS Word format is available here.
If you are interested in contributing to the Series or would like to propose a volume, please contact the editors by emailing [email protected]
Titles in this Series
The Transnational Politics of Philanthropy: China’s Rise and Limitations
Bertram Lang (2025)
How does philanthropy function and gain legitimacy within an authoritarian system – and what does this mean for the global philanthropic landscape? Drawing on rich empirical data and a mixed-methods approach, this book reveals how transnational dynamics have shaped the rise of Chinese philanthropy in an authoritarian context – and how, in turn, it is increasingly influencing the future of global philanthropy.
Combining insights from fieldwork in China and text mining of philanthropy-related news reports and online fundraising data, the book provides a fresh picture of China’s dynamic philanthropy landscape. It ranges from the Tencent Foundation’s promotion of an ebullient internet philanthropy and the strategic ‘charitisation’ of grassroots NGOs to traditional party-state foundations working to professionalise their operations in an increasingly competitive fight for resources. It crucially links these organisation-level strategies to broader political developments in the context of China’s evolving Belt and Road initiative and its engagement with developing countries as well as the UN system.
American Philanthropy in Global Perspective: The History, Law, and Politics of Giving
Thomas Adam (2025)
Philanthropy has become a staple of American society and culture. Associations, endowments, foundations, and limited dividend companies have funded education, culture, healthcare, religion, and social welfare. Yet American philanthropy is not as exceptional as it appears to European observers. American philanthropy was built upon European and Mediterranean precedents and evolved through the constant influence of philanthropic practices in other parts of the world. This book explores how philanthropic practices and institutions were introduced into American society and how they were Americanised during the 19th century. It provides a comprehensive history of American philanthropy and positions it within its wider global context.
Philanthropic Response to Disasters: Gifts, Givers, and Consequences
Alexandra Williamson, Diana Leat, Susan D Phillips (eds.) (2023)
Disasters, of whatever cause and wherever they occur in the world, attract generosity from the public, corporations and philanthropic foundations to alleviate the effects in the short term and help build more resilient communities over the longer term. But, managing the inflow of money, goods and time and then distributing those efficiently and effectively is not straightforward as the countless media criticisms after every disaster illustrate. This book explains why making best use of the philanthropic response to disasters is so difficult and considerations in doing it better. Drawing on international examples, as well as advancing new conceptual approaches, it critically assesses the commonalities and themes in efficient and effective disaster philanthropy, with a focus on priorities for the future.