Give Smart - by Thomas J Tierney & Joel L Fleishman (Paperback)

About the Book

Argues that philanthropy is best approached by carefully selecting which organizations to give to, rather than indiscriminately donating to needy organizations, no matter the cause.

Book Synopsis

A decade ago, Thomas J. Tierney left Bain & Company to cofound 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 Duke professor Joel L. Fleishman's expertise to create a much-needed primer for philanthropists and the nonprofit organizations they support. Drawing from personal experiences, research spanning twentieth- and twenty-first-century philanthropy, contemporary interviews, and Bridgespan's extensive field work, Give Smart presents the definitive guide to engaged philanthropy.

Review Quotes

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

About the Author

Thomas J. Tierney is the cofounder and chairman of The Bridgespan Group, a nonprofit advisor to the nonprofit sector and its donors.

Joel L. Fleishman is professor of law and public policy at Duke University and author of The Foundation.