White Papers

Diaspora Philanthropy: The Philippine Experience

The objectives of this study, along with several other diaspora philanthropy studies in this series, are to document and analyze diaspora giving from the United States to a specific country of origin, in this case the Philippines, and to provide recommendations on how to increase the quantity and impact of diaspora giving to the country.

Diaspora Philanthropy: The Colombia Experience

The objectives of this study, along with several other diaspora philanthropy studies in this series, are to document and analyze diaspora giving from the United States to a specific country of origin, in this case Colombia, and to provide recommendations on how to increase the quantity and impact of diaspora giving to the country.

Kenyan Diaspora Philanthropy: Key Practices, Trends, and Issues

The objectives of this study, along with several other diaspora philanthropy studies in this series, are to document and analyze diaspora giving from the United States to a specific country of origin, in this case Kenya, and to provide recommendations on how to increase the quantity and impact of diaspora giving to the country.

Vietnamese-American Diaspora Philanthropy to Vietnam

The objectives of this study, along with several other diaspora philanthropy studies in this series, are to document and analyze diaspora giving from the United States to a specific country of origin, in this case Vietnam, and to provide recommendations on how to increase the quantity and impact of diaspora giving to the country.

Diaspora Philanthropy: Influences, Initiatives, and Issues

Interest in the flows, practices, and impact of diaspora giving has grown markedly in the past several years. New patterns and accelerated rates of migration, concomitant growth in the flow of remittances, and a search for new sources of support for economic and social development have all fuelled the interest in promoting greater and more effective diaspora philanthropy. This study examines the growing significance and practice of giving from citizens and residents of the United States to their country of origin.

The Road to Venturesome: A Guide to the Habits of More Engaged Donors

In this piece, Joe Breiteneicher advocates for an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy, offering “a brief framework of ideas and concepts that seek to explain the place we believe philanthropy can and should occupy in our society.” In Joe’s words, it is “a distillation of the philosophical underpinnings and work habits of people who treat their giving with the seriousness, creative energy and discipline that they put into their other investment endeavors.” It serves as an exploration and acknowledgement of promising trends and values demonstrated by the emerging “venturesome donor.”

Promoting Philanthropy: The Experience & The Potential of Collaborative Efforts

Published by The Philanthropic Initiative
This report summarizes research conducted by TPI on the accomplishments and lessons learned from collaborative efforts to increase philanthropic giving. Based on interviews with over 50 individuals who have been or are currently involved in philanthropy promotion efforts.

Community Foundations & The Coming Intergenerational Transfer of Wealth

Published by The Philanthropic Initiative
This paper is the first of three that are intended to serve as primers on the measures newer community foundations might consider taking to strengthen their outreach to prospective donors and their advisors. The material in the draft is a distillation of TPI's experience as we have sought to expand the philanthropic equation. The first report presents an overview of what we have learned from our work with donors and advisors and how those experiences might apply to the challenges community foundations face in building their philanthropic capital.

Lessons From Wingspread: The Ten Trillion Dollar Intergenerational Transfer of Wealth

Published by The Philanthropic Initiative
In co-sponsorship with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Johnson Foundation, TPI convened a diverse group of donors, researchers, professional philanthropists and advisors at the Wingspread conference center. The recommendations that emerged from this convening became the blueprint for many of the philanthropy promotion efforts that have followed, including the central role of the professional advisor in supporting potential donors, the need for targeted marketing strategies to encourage specific populations to give, and the importance of increasing the quality and accessibility of information about non-profit organizations, grantmaking effectiveness, and options for giving.