Giving Circles: Philanthropy, Voluntary Association, and Democracy (Philanthropic and Nonprofit Studies)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Giving circles are inherently interesting voluntary associations and the description of how they operate makes fascinating reading." Thomasina Jo Borkman, George Mason University "A very important contribution ... it situates questions about philanthropy and voluntary association within the framework of recent vast changes in government responsibilities, as well as significant increases in income disparities in the United States... A truly critical and clear-sighted analysis of the difficulty facing the philanthropic and voluntary sectors in replacing the role of government." Camilla Stivers, Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University

This book is positioned as a riposte to Robert Putnam's famous assertion that we are now 'Bowling Alone' due to the collapse of community. Eikenberry believes that giving circles are one example of a new form of citizen participation which demonstrates that it may be the forms rather than the quantities of engagement that have changed in recent years. Giving circles involve pooling donations and making collective decisions about how to give the pooled funds away. Data on the size, scope and impact of the giving circle movement are provided. The wider scope of this book is a result of Eikenberry's belief that giving circles are more than just a new method for organising the transfer of funds from private individuals to good causes. This is an ambitious and readable account of the appropriate role for voluntary action in modern societies, and poses an important argument that as philanthropy is primarily designed to meet the needs of donors rather than recipients, there is an essential ongoing role for government in meeting basic social welfare needs.Beth Breeze, Publications Editor, Philanthropy UK Nwsltr, Issue 38, Sept. 2009

Review

"This is an ambitious and readable account of the appropriate role for voluntary action in modern societies, and poses an important argument that as philanthropy is primarily designed to meet the needs of donors rather than recipients, there is an essential ongoing role for government in meeting basic social welfare needs." -- Beth Breeze, Publications Editor, Philanthropy UK Nwsltr, Issue 38, Sept. 2009

"Giving circles are inherently interesting voluntary associations and the description of how they operate makes fascinating reading." -- Thomasina Jo Borkman, George Mason University

"A very important contribution... it situates questions about philanthropy and voluntary association within the framework of recent vast changes in government responsibilities, as well as significant increases in income disparities in the United States.... A truly critical and clear-sighted analysis of the difficulty facing the philanthropic and voluntary sectors in replacing the role of government." -- Camilla Stivers, Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (June 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253220858
• ISBN-13: 978-0253220851
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
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• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,095,101 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)