A New Era of Philanthropy - by Dimple Abichandani (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"A must-read for anyone in philanthropy, particularly those who question whether and how philanthropic resources can address the current, complex challenges our world faces." --Nick Tedesco, president and chief executive officer of the National Center for Family Philanthropy

A blueprint for how wealth can be transformed into a more just and sustainable future in times of rapid change and crisis.

On the cusp of the greatest wealth transfer in history--with $84 trillion dollars moving between generations in the next 20 years--this book explores how philanthropy can be transformative, and transformed.

Can philanthropy be an anti-racist, feminist, relational, and joyful expression of solidarity?

This book argues that it not only can be--for the future we seek, and for philanthropy to achieve its greatest impact, it must be.

Nationally recognized philanthropic leader Dimple Abichandani revolutionizes the precepts of modern philanthropy. Offering 10 provocative practice shifts, A New Era of Philanthropy engages readers with fresh answers to the question of how philanthropy can meet this high-stakes moment--from reimagining governance to aligning investments to crisis funding and beyond.

Abichandani highlights paradigm shifts that model the way forward, moving beyond critique into real transformation, with relatable stories about funders who are forging a new era of philanthropy.

A New Era of Philanthropy picks up where key books like Decolonizing Wealth and Winners Take All leave off, offering a guide for donors, foundations, and non-profit leaders navigating philanthropy in urgent times. Clear-eyed, hopeful, and responsive to the moment, this book helps us reimagine the purpose and norms of modern philanthropy. It is an invitation to all of us who believe these resources can contribute to a more just future: start here.

Review Quotes

"A must-read for anyone in philanthropy." --NICK TEDESCO, president and CEO of the National Center for Family Philanthropy

"A bold invitation to reimagine philanthropy." --SARITA GUPTA, vice president of US Programs at the Ford Foundation

"Do yourself a favor and read this book." --PIA INFANTE, coexecutive director of the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project

"A new blueprint for philanthropy that meets the moment." --DON CHEN, president of the Surdna Foundation

"Reimagines what philanthropy can be--and provides a path to get there." --DAN HEATH, New York Times best-selling author of Made to Stick

"Helps us consider what we must do if we are serious about building a world of more justice, fairness, and abundance." --LEAH HUNT-HENDRIX, cofounder of the Solidaire Network

"An invitation to transform philanthropy, and to be transformed in the process." --RAJASVINI BHANSALI, executive director of the Solidaire Network

"Calls philanthropy to account with hard-won wisdom, deep care, and inspiring curiosity." --BAILEY MALONE, executive director of the CS Fund

"Must-read wisdom for every donor and funder, from a voice we can trust." --VANESSA PRIYA DANIEL, author of Unrig the Game

"Dimple is...transitioning philanthropy from an outdated model to the potential and possibilities that meet the challenges of our world today." --PHUONG QUACH, principal at NPAG

"A foundational text for everyone in philanthropy." --SAYU BHOJWANI, board chair of the North Star Fund

"An invitation to imagine what we could achieve if resource stewards adopted a proposed set of practices that reflect and enable our highest aspirations." --MANDY VAN DEVEN, narrative and philanthropy expert

"A roadmap to how philanthropy can meet the current moment." --DEEPA IYER, author of Social Change Now

"This book has the potential to transform everything we thought we knew about 'philanthropy as usual.'" --REGAN PRITZKER, board copresident of the Libra Foundation

"An actionable pathway for reimagining conventional approaches to philanthropy." --SHAADY SALEHI, coexecutive director of the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project

"A centerpiece of any course for the next generation of nonprofit and philanthropic leaders." --MOLLY SCHULTZ HAFID, executive director of the Butler Family Fund

"An invitation to chart a new and more generous path forward." --CARMEN ROJAS, president and CEO of the Marguerite Casey Foundation

"If you're wondering what 'the deal' is with philanthropy, there isn't a better place to start." --FARHAD EBRAHIMI, founder and president of the Chorus Foundation

"A gift for those committed to using philanthropy as a tool to repair and build a more equitable society." --EDGAR VILLANUEVA, author of Decolonizing Wealth

"Put down that Gospel of Wealth and move into real philanthropy that is driven by the common good." --RINKU SEN, executive director of the Narrative Initiative

"An invitation to move beyond critique of philanthropy into action." --CASSIE ROBINSON, director at Arising Quo

"Points the way to what a modernized philanthropy can be." --DENNIS QUIRIN, executive director of the Raikes Foundation

"[Dimple] offers interactive prompts we can use to rebuild philanthropy from the ground up." --CRYSTAL HAYLING, Inside Philanthropy's 2021 Foundation Leader of the Year

"One of the most important reads of the year." --MARCUS F. WALTON, president and CEO of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations

"Philanthropy can help bring forth the multiracial democracy we all desire and deserve: Abichandani's work can help us get there." --DEEPAK BHARGAVA, president of the JPB Foundation

About the Author

Dimple Abichandani is a nationally recognized philanthropic leader, writer, and lawyer. A lifelong student of social change, Dimple has spent the last two decades advancing justice by working to transform the collective purpose and practices of philanthropy. A National Center for Family Philanthropy Fellow, she has been recognized with a Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking for her significant contributions to the field of philanthropy. Dimple serves on the board of directors of Solidaire Network, and on the steering committee of the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project. Dimple lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she advises donors and funders on how to transform wealth into a more just future. A New Era of Philanthropy is her first book.