Giving Circles: Philanthropy, Voluntary Association, and Democracy

by Angela M. Eikenberry

Overview

In the contemporary United States, third parties are being relied upon to deliver social services that were once chiefly the responsibility of government. Among the new philanthropic associations that have arisen in this environment are voluntary groups known as giving circles. Their purpose is to bring people together to pool resources and then decide together how to distribute these resources. Giving circles have been seen as the most democratic of philanthropic mechanisms, serving to meet social needs and solve community problems, while enhancing the civic education and participation of their members. Angela M. Eikenberry examines this new phenomenon and considers what role voluntary associations and philanthropy can or should play in a democratic society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253003348
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	06/29/2009
Series:	Philanthropic and Nonprofit Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	593 KB

About the Author

Angela M. Eikenberry is Assistant Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. She has worked as a development consultant and is a member of a giving circle.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction: Giving Circles and Democratic Governance 1

1 Democracy, Voluntary Association, and Philanthropy 12

2 The Modernization and Marketization of Voluntarism 29

3 The Democratization and New Shape of Voluntarism 44

4 The Giving Circle Landscape 57

5 The Democratic Effects of Giving Circles 82

6 Voluntarism and Governing beyond the State 105

Appendix: Research Methodology 123

Notes 129

Bibliography 147

Index 167

What People are Saying About This

"In this book, Eikenberry (Univ. of Nebraska, Omaha) bridges several research programs. She draws heavily from interest group scholars examining social capital as well as public administration scholars analyzing postmodern conceptions of governance beyond the state. The result is an examination of new forms of associations referred to as giving circles. Through case studies and in-depth interviews, Eikenberry finds that these groups rely upon individuals coming together to pool their resources for common causes. She suggests that the giving circle universe varies greatly. However, all giving circles seek to educate members about community issues, engage members in voluntary efforts, provide social networking opportunities for members, and work to maintain their donors' independence from specific charities. In addition to documenting and classifying these groups, Eikenberry questions whether giving circles engender both procedural and substantive democracy. She posits that while giving circles may provide more opportunities for democracy within groups, not all peoples or issues take part in or are the targets of the philanthropy produced by giving circles. In sum, this book uses original data and presents a novel approach to group politics that should be explored further by scholars from various disciplines. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers, upper-division undergraduate students, and above. — Choice"

R. M. Alexander

In this book, Eikenberry (Univ. of Nebraska, Omaha) bridges several research programs. She draws heavily from interest group scholars examining social capital as well as public administration scholars analyzing postmodern conceptions of governance beyond the state. The result is an examination of new forms of associations referred to as giving circles. Through case studies and in-depth interviews, Eikenberry finds that these groups rely upon individuals coming together to pool their resources for common causes. She suggests that the giving circle universe varies greatly. However, all giving circles seek to educate members about community issues, engage members in voluntary efforts, provide social networking opportunities for members, and work to maintain their donors' independence from specific charities. In addition to documenting and classifying these groups, Eikenberry questions whether giving circles engender both procedural and substantive democracy. She posits that while giving circles may provide more opportunities for democracy within groups, not all peoples or issues take part in or are the targets of the philanthropy produced by giving circles. In sum, this book uses original data and presents a novel approach to group politics that should be explored further by scholars from various disciplines. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers, upper-division undergraduate students, and above. — Choice

George Mason University - Thomasina Jo Borkman

Giving circles are inherently interesting voluntary associations and the description of how they operate makes fascinating reading.

R. M. Alexander]]>

In this book, Eikenberry (Univ. of Nebraska, Omaha) bridges several research programs. She draws heavily from interest group scholars examining social capital as well as public administration scholars analyzing postmodern conceptions of governance beyond the state. The result is an examination of new forms of associations referred to as giving circles. Through case studies and in-depth interviews, Eikenberry finds that these groups rely upon individuals coming together to pool their resources for common causes. She suggests that the giving circle universe varies greatly. However, all giving circles seek to educate members about community issues, engage members in voluntary efforts, provide social networking opportunities for members, and work to maintain their donors' independence from specific charities. In addition to documenting and classifying these groups, Eikenberry questions whether giving circles engender both procedural and substantive democracy. She posits that while giving circles may provide more opportunities for democracy within groups, not all peoples or issues take part in or are the targets of the philanthropy produced by giving circles. In sum, this book uses original data and presents a novel approach to group politics that should be explored further by scholars from various disciplines. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers, upper-division undergraduate students, and above. — Choice

Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University - Camilla Stivers

A very important contribution . . . it situates questions about philanthropy and voluntary association within the framework of recent vast changes in government responsibilities, as well as significant increases in income disparities in the United States. . . . A truly critical and clear-sighted analysis of the difficulty facing the philanthropic and voluntary sectors in replacing the role of government.

Editorial Reviews

"This book is positioned as a riposte to Robert Putnam's famous assertion that we are now 'Bowling Alone' due to the collapse of community. Eikenberry believes that giving circles are one example of a new form of citizen participation which demonstrates that it may be the forms rather than the quantities of engagement that have changed in recent years. Giving circles involve pooling donations and making collective decisions about how to give the pooled funds away. Data on the size, scope and impact of the giving circle movement are provided. The wider scope of this book is a result of Eikenberry's belief that giving circles are more than just a new method for organising the transfer of funds from private individuals to good causes. This is an ambitious and readable account of the appropriate role for voluntary action in modern societies, and poses an important argument that as philanthropy is primarily designed to meet the needs of donors rather than recipients, there is an essential ongoing role for government in meeting basic social welfare needs."—Beth Breeze, Publications Editor, Philanthropy UK Nwsltr, Issue 38, Sept. 2009

"In this book, Eikenberry (Univ. of Nebraska, Omaha) bridges several research programs. She draws heavily from interest group scholars examining social capital as well as public administration scholars analyzing postmodern conceptions of governance beyond the state. The result is an examination of new forms of associations referred to as giving circles. Through case studies and in-depth interviews, Eikenberry finds that these groups rely upon individuals coming together to pool their resources for common causes. She suggests that the giving circle universe varies greatly. However, all giving circles seek to educate members about community issues, engage members in voluntary efforts, provide social networking opportunities for members, and work to maintain their donors' independence from specific charities. In addition to documenting and classifying these groups, Eikenberry questions whether giving circles engender both procedural and substantive democracy. She posits that while giving circles may provide more opportunities for democracy within groups, not all peoples or issues take part in or are the targets of the philanthropy produced by giving circles. In sum, this book uses original data and presents a novel approach to group politics that should be explored further by scholars from various disciplines. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers, upper-division undergraduate students, and above. — Choice"—R. M. Alexander, Ohio Northern University, March 2010

"This is an ambitious and readable account of the appropriate role for voluntary action in modern societies, and poses an important argument that as philanthropy is primarily designed to meet the needs of donors rather than recipients, there is an essential ongoing role for government in meeting basic social welfare needs.Issue 38, Sept. 2009"—Beth Breeze, Publications Editor

"In sum, this book uses original data and presents a novel approach to group politics that should be explored further by scholars from various disciplines. ...Recommended. General readers, upper-division undergraduate students, and above.March 2010"—Choice

"By illuminating small philanthropic organizations and participatory groups, Giving Circles makes a valuable contribution toward a more comprehensive understanding of the voluntary sector. 39(5)"—Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly

"A very important contribution . . . it situates questions about philanthropy and voluntary association within the framework of recent vast changes in government responsibilities, as well as significant increases in income disparities in the United States. . . . A truly critical and clear-sighted analysis of the difficulty facing the philanthropic and voluntary sectors in replacing the role of government."—Camilla Stivers, Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University

"Giving circles are inherently interesting voluntary associations and the description of how they operate makes fascinating reading."—Thomasina Jo Borkman, George Mason University

From the Publisher

This book is positioned as a riposte to Robert Putnam's famous assertion that we are now 'Bowling Alone' due to the collapse of community. Eikenberry believes that giving circles are one example of a new form of citizen participation which demonstrates that it may be the forms rather than the quantities of engagement that have changed in recent years. Giving circles involve pooling donations and making collective decisions about how to give the pooled funds away. Data on the size, scope and impact of the giving circle movement are provided. The wider scope of this book is a result of Eikenberry's belief that giving circles are more than just a new method for organising the transfer of funds from private individuals to good causes. This is an ambitious and readable account of the appropriate role for voluntary action in modern societies, and poses an important argument that as philanthropy is primarily designed to meet the needs of donors rather than recipients, there is an essential ongoing role for government in meeting basic social welfare needs.

Philanthropy UK Nwsltr - Beth Breeze

By illuminating small philanthropic organizations and participatory groups, Giving Circles makes a valuable contribution toward a more comprehensive understanding of the voluntary sector. 39(5)

Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly

In sum, this book uses original data and presents a novel approach to group politics that should be explored further by scholars from various disciplines. ...Recommended. General readers, upper-division undergraduate students, and above.March 2010

Choice

This book is positioned as a riposte to Robert Putnam's famous assertion that we are now 'Bowling Alone' due to the collapse of community. Eikenberry believes that giving circles are one example of a new form of citizen participation which demonstrates that it may be the forms rather than the quantities of engagement that have changed in recent years. Giving circles involve pooling donations and making collective decisions about how to give the pooled funds away. Data on the size, scope and impact of the giving circle movement are provided. The wider scope of this book is a result of Eikenberry's belief that giving circles are more than just a new method for organising the transfer of funds from private individuals to good causes. This is an ambitious and readable account of the appropriate role for voluntary action in modern societies, and poses an important argument that as philanthropy is primarily designed to meet the needs of donors rather than recipients, there is an essential ongoing role for government in meeting basic social welfare needs.

Philanthropy UK Nwsltr - Beth Breeze]]>

In this book, Eikenberry (Univ. of Nebraska, Omaha) bridges several research programs. She draws heavily from interest group scholars examining social capital as well as public administration scholars analyzing postmodern conceptions of governance beyond the state. The result is an examination of new forms of associations referred to as giving circles. Through case studies and in-depth interviews, Eikenberry finds that these groups rely upon individuals coming together to pool their resources for common causes. She suggests that the giving circle universe varies greatly. However, all giving circles seek to educate members about community issues, engage members in voluntary efforts, provide social networking opportunities for members, and work to maintain their donors' independence from specific charities. In addition to documenting and classifying these groups, Eikenberry questions whether giving circles engender both procedural and substantive democracy. She posits that while giving circles may provide more opportunities for democracy within groups, not all peoples or issues take part in or are the targets of the philanthropy produced by giving circles. In sum, this book uses original data and presents a novel approach to group politics that should be explored further by scholars from various disciplines. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers, upper-division undergraduate students, and above. — Choice

R. M. Alexander

"Giving circles are inherently interesting voluntary associations and the description of how they operate makes fascinating reading." —Thomasina Jo Borkman, George Mason University

Thomasina Jo Borkman

"A very important contribution... it situates questions about philanthropy and voluntary association within the framework of recent vast changes in government responsibilities, as well as significant increases in income disparities in the United States.... A truly critical and clear-sighted analysis of the difficulty facing the philanthropic and voluntary sectors in replacing the role of government." —Camilla Stivers, Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University

Camilla Stivers

"This is an ambitious and readable account of the appropriate role for voluntary action in modern societies, and poses an important argument that as philanthropy is primarily designed to meet the needs of donors rather than recipients, there is an essential ongoing role for government in meeting basic social welfare needs." —Beth Breeze, Publications Editor, Philanthropy UK Nwsltr, Issue 38, Sept. 2009

— Beth Breeze, Publications Editor

Philanthropy UK Nwsltr