The Centre for Philanthropy

Current research projects

  • Giving circles in the UK.

  • Philanthropic Journeys: Paths into and out of volunteerring and giving across the life-course.

  • Who gives who gets? The social space bridged by donations.

  • Re-examining corporate philanthropy: the perspective from the shop floor.

  • Charity and social distribution

  • Social Justice Philanthropy: Implications for Policy and Practice
    The study proposes to offer a critical appreciation of social justice philanthropy by investigating ‘social justice’ funders, foundation trustees and leaders. By exploring how a number of foundations and individual philanthropists pursue social justice and change, we will learn how they make judgments about what and to whom to give, what moral resources, traditions, customs and rules they draw upon in reaching their evaluation about giving, and what they mean by social justice philanthropy. The research team consists of John Mohan, Balihar Sanghera and Kate Bradley.

  • We are working with the author of 'Why Rich People Give', to produce a ten year update of this seminal work. Data collection is currently underway, including surveys and interviews with major donors, philanthropy advisers and other influential figures in the UK philanthropy sector.
    This work is funded by The Pears Foundation, with matched funding from the University of Kent.
    For further information please contact the lead researchers Beth Breeze or Theresa Lloyd

Our research interests

  1. To understand the social forces and cultural interests that move people to take moral responsibility for responding to/caring for the needs of others
  2. To document and explain the institutional organization of charitable behaviour and its social impacts
  3. To document and explain the socio-cultural dynamics of philanthropic behaviour and its effects on society
  4. To document and explain contemporary humanitarianism and its powers of influence over social policy and political process
  5. To understand the character of the social ties and cultural values that structure the interrelationships between humanitarian action, charitable endeavour and philanthropic intervention
  6. To understand the bearing of government policies and governmental processes upon the charitable sector and philanthropic activity

 

Enquiries: +44 (0)1227 824328 or contact us

CPHSJ, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ

Last Updated: 22/03/2013