Philanthropy: Multidisciplinary Perspectives

Philanthropy: Multidisciplinary Perspectives is a reference for academics and professionals engaged in philanthropy. It brings together scholars from fields such as economics, finance, law, philosophy, and sociology, showcasing the power of a multidisciplinary approach in providing a comprehensive view of this complex subject.

The book addresses foundational questions in philanthropy and is divided into four parts. The first part asks the crucial question of why philanthropy matters, exploring the motivations behind giving and how beneficiaries are selected. The second part looks at the question of the interaction between business and philanthropy. It examines the rise of social enterprises, the shift toward purpose-driven businesses, and the evolution of corporate social responsibility into sustainable enterprises. It addresses tax considerations that impact philanthropy’s ability to scale. The book explores the synergies between finance and philanthropy to foster sustainable development and how philanthropy is addressing or could address specific SDGs. It concludes with key ingredients for good governance in philanthropy.

The book tackles major challenges, such as diversity, compensation, and data management, while tracing the evolution of best practices in foundation governance. It identifies areas for improvement and discusses the relationships between governance in philanthropic organizations and important issues such as trust, equality, and democracy.

Giulia Neri-Castracane is a Professor of Corporate and Foundation Law at the University of Geneva, affiliated with the Geneva Centre for Philanthropy. With extensive experience as a Swiss-qualified corporate lawyer, her research and teaching focus on philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, governance, sustainable business, ESG, and impact from a legal perspective. Currently, she serves as the director of the commercial law department at the University of Geneva and holds positions on several internal and external committees and boards.

Giuseppe Ugazio is a Professor in Behavioral Philanthropy and Finance at the Geneva Finance Research Institute, faculty of economics and management at the University of Geneva. He holds two doctorates, one in philosophy and the other in neuro-economics. His interdisciplinary research studies the neuropsychological mechanisms that influence complex human social behavior. He is pioneering research on creating synergies between Philanthropy and Artificial Intelligence, unveiling the potential of this technology to support philanthropic organizations.