Donations are down and inequality is on the rise—but there is hope.
The Generosity Crisis explores the current state of philanthropy and how we can change course to bring about a different, more connected future that benefits us all.
Progress. It is one of the defining expectations of the modern era. But are continued improvements to the human condition assured? What would happen if the only institutions explicitly committed to feeding, healing, sheltering, educating, enlightening and nurturing our communities went away?
In The Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges, authors Nathan Chappell, Brian Crimmins, and Michael Ashley deliver a startling analysis of the changing nature of generosity in America and why its decline could herald the end of the modern non-profit. The demise of philanthropy is coming if we do not change course—in fewer than 50 years, we could be living in a world in which inequality has never been as stark or as dangerous.
The Generosity Crisis has been published with the explicit goal of inspiring a different future. In a world fractured by crises of generosity, reciprocity and love, what would it take to launch a return to humankind's inherent propensity toward interconnection?
The answer, argue Chappell, Crimmins, and Ashley, lies in establishing radical connection – between us and the value-driven organizations that strive to improve life on Earth. They invite you to join an urgently needed conversation around generosity as an antidote to isolation and the requirement that technology be harnessed as the only scalable solution to reversing the generosity crisis by enabling radical connection; by inviting us to take society's most intractable problems personally.
As some of our most respected voices on corporate social responsibility, social impact, and AI’s place in philanthropy, Chappell, Crimmins and Ashley bring decades of experience working with the world’s most effective nonprofit and value-driven for-profit organizations – offering readers actionable insights from multiple vantage points.
Remarkable for the breadth and depth of its analysis, this ambitious book shows us that humanity's best days may very well lie ahead; but only if we’re willing to rethink everything we think we know about connection.
“We humans are blessed with an instinct for generosity. But the structures of the modern world can suppress that instinct. We're isolated from each other—and that isolation matters not just for our mental health, but for society's health. When we look closely, we see that generosity is not just a beautiful emotion, it is a fuel for our economy and a foundation for our communities."
— Jacob Harold, former CEO of GuideStar, author of The Toolbox
““As someone who is dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations leverage the benefits of technology, I’m thrilled to see the authors of The Generosity Crisis bring to light many of the critical issues facing philanthropy and nonprofits today. I have seen the positive impact modern technology can have when leveraged for good on accelerating mission outcomes. Harnessing data, cloud, AI and machine learning, enables personalization at scale, creating powerful connections and the ability to drive results. I celebrate the practical guidelines and actionable insights provided that will inspire philanthropic leaders towards a new vision for how they prioritize their time and resources to deliver on mission!”
— Allyson Fryhoff, Managing Director,
Nonprofit Business, Amazon Web Services
“The need to inspire donors and engage with them more deeply has never been greater. In The Generosity Crisis, the authors challenge all of us who strive to transform the world through philanthropy to think differently about how we engage with donors and provide us with a roadmap to achieve lasting relationships with those who support our organizations. A very timely and much needed work!”
— Alice Ayers, President and CEO at
Association for Healthcare Philanthropy
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“The Generosity Crisis provides an engaging depiction of the worrisome implications of the decline in everyday giving in the US, proposing the solution of radical connection as a vehicle for building successful and meaningful philanthropic relationships. A fluid read that synthesizes a number of compelling experiences with success.”
— Dr. Amir Pasic, Dean of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University
“Being a young woman who comes from a different part of the world (India) and having lived in the United States of America for only a short period of time, I was unaware of generosity crisis in America. As I turned over each page into this incredible journey, the facts and information that appeared before me, absolutely helped me to find the answers to the many questions I had about generosity in general. My time in America, was made easier with the help of this book. I can’t imagine how challenging it would be to tackle this topic. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and sharing with me this great book of knowledge.
— Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss Universe 2021
"A new approach to philanthropy is urgently needed. Over $1 trillion is sitting idle in private foundations while at least $150 billion is stored in donor advised funds. With multiple crises facing humanity, now is the time to put this capital to good use and ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for all. There is certainly no shortage of scalable solutions waiting to be deployed by charities. They just need access to capital. This book charts a path forward on how to do exactly that, how to revolutionize giving and overcome the generosity crisis NOW
— Michael Sheldrick, Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact, and Government Relations Officer at Global Citizen
“The Generosity Crisis is a powerful analysis of the changing dynamic in society related to giving, philanthropy, and brands. The need for a more radical connection between people and organizations may sound like a simple concept however, it is incredibly complicated and when done properly will change the trajectory of generosity for future generations. Brian, Nathan, and Michael have painted a compelling picture for what is behind effective communication in today's world."
— Chris Foster, CEO, Omnicom PR Group
“The WHO Foundation is witness to the transformative power of philanthropy every day. Individuals are supporting the work to stop diseases, provide basic medicines and ensure children and families around the world have equal access to a healthy life. The Generosity Crisis shines a bright spotlight on the unimaginable consequences to humanity should philanthropy erode. But with awareness comes hope. The authors charge the reader to evaluate their responsibility in the world to link arms and provide a healthier and more equitable future for everyone.”
— Anil Soni, CEO of The WHO Foundation, Geneva
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