Almost a decade ago, Thomas J. Tierney left Bain & Company to co-found 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 philanthropy expert Joel L. Fleishman to create a much-needed primer for philanthropists and the nonprofit organizations they support. Drawing from personal experiences, testimonials, and Bridgespan's case studies, including those of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Give Smart picks up where Jim Collins' Good to Great and the Social Sectors left off and presents the first in-depth, expert guide for engaged donors and nonprofit leaders.
Give Smart: Philanthropy that Gets Results
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Book Description
In the first half of the twenty-first century, giving to family and community foundations alone will be ten times in today's dollars what it was throughout the entire twentieth century. Yet despite tremendous innovation in the social sector, philanthropy's natural state is under-performance. Not since Andrew Carnegie wrote The Gospel of Wealth has a book been written that provides practical guidance for donors to get the most impact from their giving.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Jim Collins
“Give Smart is a great gift to the world. By asking questions—the right questions—Tierney and Fleishman guide, advise, challenge, and, as with all great teachers, push us to find our own best answers. If you want your philanthropy to be useful—changing lives, solving intractable problems, making society work better—then engage deeply with this book!”
Melinda Gates
“One of the most exciting and important parts of my job as a philanthropist is learning. Over the years, Bill and I have learned so much from the authors of this book, and we are thrilled to see that wisdom collected in Give Smart so that everybody can benefit from it the way we have.”
“One of the most exciting and important parts of my job as a philanthropist is learning. Over the years, Bill and I have learned so much from the authors of this book, and we are thrilled to see that wisdom collected in Give Smart so that everybody can benefit from it the way we have.”
Helene Gayle
“Having been on ‘both sides of the check,’ first working in philanthropy and now as a recipient of philanthropic dollars, I found Give Smart a must read. The relationship between grantmakers and nonprofit organizations is a delicate dance, one that—when done well—can achieve incredible social good. Not only does this book provide a practical guide for those who want to achieve high impact philanthropy, it also helps nonprofits understand the aspirations and expectations of the donor. Don’t begin, or continue, your philanthropy without reading it.”
“Having been on ‘both sides of the check,’ first working in philanthropy and now as a recipient of philanthropic dollars, I found Give Smart a must read. The relationship between grantmakers and nonprofit organizations is a delicate dance, one that—when done well—can achieve incredible social good. Not only does this book provide a practical guide for those who want to achieve high impact philanthropy, it also helps nonprofits understand the aspirations and expectations of the donor. Don’t begin, or continue, your philanthropy without reading it.”
Paul Brest
“Giving away money is easy, but making a real difference is hard work. Give Smart addresses these challenges head-on and provides a strong analytic framework and practical advice for effective philanthropy—replete with compelling examples. Written by two leaders in the field, this is a must-read for the new philanthropist and a valuable resource for old hands as well.”
“Giving away money is easy, but making a real difference is hard work. Give Smart addresses these challenges head-on and provides a strong analytic framework and practical advice for effective philanthropy—replete with compelling examples. Written by two leaders in the field, this is a must-read for the new philanthropist and a valuable resource for old hands as well.”
John C. Whitehead
“Give Smart is must reading for all philanthropists, large or small. It’s written by two people with long experience, and it will make your gifts go farther.”
“Give Smart is must reading for all philanthropists, large or small. It’s written by two people with long experience, and it will make your gifts go farther.”
Pierre Omidyar
“As Pam and I continue to learn through our own giving, the challenges in creating positive social impact are many and complex. Give Smart provides thoughtful guidance on how to build an effective and personal approach to philanthropy, illustrated through real-world examples, proven methodologies, and insightful commentary. We highly recommend Give Smart to anyone who wants to make a difference, whether in their local community or around the world.”
Publishers Weekly, March 21, 2011
“An interesting and well-considered guide to go to before you give.”PhilanthropyRoundtable.org, March 31, 2011
“A superb guide for donors who want to be as smart in their giving as they have been in business.”
Alliance Magazine, June 2011
“A very readable, motivating introductory guide to engaged giving…. With its storytelling approach this will be a book that many donors will read.”About the Author
Thomas J. Tierney is the cofounder and chairman of The Bridgespan Group, a non-profit consulting firm serving the non-profit sector and its founders. Prior to founding Bridgespan, Mr. Tierney served as managing partner worldwide of Bain & Company from June 1992 to January 2000. Joel L. Fleishman is professor of Law and Public Policy at Duke University. The author of The Foundation, he has served as president of the Atlantic Philanthropic Service Company, the U.S. affiliate of Atlantic Philanthropies.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Yesyes
Format:Hardcover
This book was an amazing over view of giving and receiving of money to help those in need. I saw one of the authors on PBS interview and knew I had to have the book. It gave me more than I expected! I appreciate the honesty, insight and wisdom of the authors. They are not just talking about this subject they are practicing successfully these things.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I don't know many authors who write books that are destined to change the way people think and act. I have known Tom Tierney for a long time. While I think Give $mart is a great book and one that will shape to some degree the direction of philanthropy for years to come, it is important for potential readers to know that Tom is actually someone who lives the ideals that he and Joel Fleishman write about. - John Hoffmire, Director of Programs at the business schools of Oxford University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Craig Fuller
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Whether you give money or raise money, this books provides great insights into what thoughtful philanthropy looks like now and into the future.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Demand excellence of yourself
On average, philanthropy is ... well ... average. The current state of philanthropy is that it overhypes and underperforms. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Eileen Ellsworth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Give Smart: Philanthropy that gets results.
The best book on the subject ever written. All operating foundations and grant makers should read this. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Irene Pritzker
5.0 out of 5 stars
The right one, especially if you plan to donate large amounts
So much how-to advice is common sense, and yes, much of that in Give Smart is no exception. But I've read three books on the topic, most recently the unfortunate Giving 2. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Martin Nemko
5.0 out of 5 stars
Honest Injun I haven't read it yet
The reason I haven't read it yet is because I realize that it is the other side of the coin; they are philanthropists and I am a fundee. Read more
Published 22 months ago by D. LoCoco
4.0 out of 5 stars
Make giving work better
If philanthropy is a central part of your life, this is a good wake up call to help make your hard earned gifting dollars more effective. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Seeker
3.0 out of 5 stars
If you want to get value for your money in Philanthropy
while this book tells you how to get results it does not tell you when it does not. Please read "U.N. Read more
Published on May 22, 2011 by Alter mondialist
5.0 out of 5 stars
A compelling read for philanthropists, advisors and not for profit and...
The authors, Tom Tierney and Joel Fleishman have very much captured the essence of philanthropic giving. Read more
Published on April 18, 2011 by TCMfromToronto
5.0 out of 5 stars
Give Smart- A road map for philanthropists
Targeted philanthropy is the most effective way to change the direction of our nation and the world to resolve some issues that government can't effectively deal with. Read more
Published on April 4, 2011 by Dickson C. Buxton
