“Anyone can be a philanthropist if they have time to give. Once a month, we receive a letter from an elderly woman and inside is a piece of cardboard upon which is taped a pound. This woman is a philanthropist.”
Mick Clarke, Chief Executive, The Passage
Mick Clarke’s continuing gratitude to this philanthropist is evident. Tesco knew they were on the money when they took the phrase: ‘Every Little Helps.’ It really does. But John Nickson’s new book is dissatisfied, dissatisfied with the rich giving proportionately much less than the poor. The author, and fundraising director, identifies his challenge: “Whilst the richest in Britain increase their wealth and the remainder grow poorer, how do we reverse the decline in charitable giving? How are we to persuade the wealthy to give more and more?”
Giving is Good for You looks at attitudes towards and examples of philanthropy. John asks why giving matters today, and who does it. He interviews over 75 people in his book, each one has something fascinating to say about the important and seldom discussed topic of philanthropy.
Donor C, a philanthropist following a career in fund management, talked about the nature of modern values.
“Amongst the upper-middle and upper classes, the priorities are a nice house and staff, a second house, private school fees, several expensive holidays a year and then we get to the end of a very long list and we see something on TV about Comic Relief or a natural disaster, they thinks perhaps we should write a cheque, and it might be quite a large one because they feel guilty, but they don’t value it. People are making frivolous decisions about clothes, cars and holidays. We must find a way of persuading people that thinking about other people and giving is an important and valuable thing to do. Why don’t people get it?”
John Nickson speaks to such a variety of hard-working philanthropists throughout the course of his book. They reveal a fervent anger at those who fail to give. Whilst everyone is getting worked up about the rich and tax avoidance, no-one is talking about the philanthropic duties that (should) also come with being a million/billionaire.
Donor D, a well-established philanthropist, spoke to John about the ‘bovvered’ culture.
“We currently have a system that positively encourages tax-avoidance and we do not have a tax-efficient system that encourages people to be charitable. Not giving is bad for you and that is why the rich should be bothered. By not taking up the possibility of giving, some of the rich are generating a culture in which they are despised. If we continue to have a society that encourages unfairness and a lack of responsibility, if some of the rich fail to engage and to contribute, then we are heading for trouble.”
The trouble Donor D speaks of is certainly touched on in John’s book. The author uses his extensive reading and research to illuminate why giving is not only good for you, but also necessary to avoid the dangers of social inequality. Quoting from The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone Nickson explains: “Research [in the US] shows that where income differences are smaller, there is less violence, physical and mental health is better and life expectancy is higher. Prison populations are smaller, teenage pregnancies are fewer, children perform better and achieve more and there is less obesity.” Giving is not only good for you, but for everyone.
Sir John Madjeski, described as a man who inspires great affection and devotion, founded the John Madjeski Academy in Reading. His attempts to counteract social inequality are truly remarkable, but he admits that even he started out ignorant of those problems he was trying to counter.
“After we had opened JMA, I asked the head to describe the beginning of the school day which she said started with an eight o’clock breakfast club. We are not running a hotel, I remonstrated, until she explained that for some kids, the first meal of the day – and sometimes the second – may not be provided at home. Hungry children do not make either good or happy pupils. Giving children a start in life takes on a new meaning. Most of us are so ignorant and so stupid about the reality of life today. I was amazed when I discovered what was going on and how people live just down the road. The depth of ignorance amongst the middle classes is truly shocking. I am very grateful that I have been able to do something to help make life better for our kids locally.”
Sir John Madjeski is just one of the inspiring interviewees who helps the author to tackle the big questions. The questions John Nickson asks in his book are vital to our society: “How do we motivate all able-bodied people to be more charitable, by giving their time as well as money? What must we do to create a better society, if not a big one, whilst the state is to retreat?” John forms answers to these essential questions, using his own experience, his extensive research, and the fascinating collection of interviews with real-life philanthropists. And his conclusions…
Well we suggest you buy a copy of the book, and find out for yourself.
The royalties of the sale of this book are donated to the Royal College of Music Scholarship fund and Insight Research for Mental Health.
The book is available cheaper than any other retailer here Giving is Good For You