Philanthropic Journeys: a life-course approach to understanding high-income donors Presentation at VSSN-NCVO Conference, September 2013Dr Beth Breeze and Dr Eddy Hogg

Outline• Introduction: the collaboration with Pilotlight

– How it came about– Theoretical approach

• Philanthropy over the lifecourse

• Comparisons with volunteering

Why Collaborate?

Theoretical Approach• Lifecourse approach

• Philanthropy and Volunteering in context

• Lifestyles of a particular group of urban professionals

Income over the lifecourse

Saxton and Maddon, 2010

Giving across generations

CAF, 2012

Participation over the lifecourse

Brodie et al, 2011

Why participation stops

Brodie et al, 2011

The importance of family (1)

The importance of family (2)

New findings on generations & philanthropy

Established donors On the whole, feel more financially secure .Are distributing funds set aside in personal foundations.Have made charitable legacies.More likely to consult family and friends than a professional philanthropy adviser.Keen supporters of Religion (least favoured cause of younger group).Almost all (97%) have helped with fundraising.Twice as likely to agree that public recognition is a driver of philanthropy.More likely to feel wealth-holding brings responsibilities and obligations to society.

Emerging donorsOn the whole, are wealthier in terms of both income and net wealth.Are still setting up personal foundations.Focused on giving whilst living, not via a legacy.Twice as likely to seek professional philanthropy advice.More likely to involve their children in giving decisions.Twice as likely to feel that public opinion about philanthropy is hostile.A quarter (26%) have never got involved with fundraising.

Towards a new typology1. Started Young (e.g. brought up in a philanthropic family, or attended a

school with a strong philanthropic ethos)2. Rag Timers (first experiences at university, such as Rag Week)3. Workplace Wonders (got going as a result of corporate philanthropy

such as payroll giving or staff fundraising)4. Friendly Push (people whose social networks have got them involved)5. In and Outers (people who’ve been switched on and off by good and

bad experiences of engaging with charities)6. Spare changers (those originally attracted by fundraising appeals)7. Sleeve rolled ups (those who start with significant volunteering

experience, such as with Pilotlight)8. Ready Money (those who gave money pretty readily but never wanted

to be hands-on before)