Charity Law Conversations: Ep 02 with Rhodri Davies of Why Philanthropy Matters

In our new charities and social enterprise conversation Senior Associate Ruo Wu had a delightful conversation with philanthropy expert, researcher and commentor Rhodri Davies. Rhodri is a well-known thinker and commentator on philanthropy and civil society. He is the founding Director of the think-tank Why Philanthropy Matters, and a Pears Research Fellow at the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent. He is also the host of the Philanthropisms podcast. Rhodri was formerly the Head of Policy at the Charities Aid Foundation where he created and led the in house think tank Giving Thought, and hosted their popular Giving Thought podcasts.

 Ruo and Rhodri discuss:

 Rhodri’s personal journey into the world of philanthropy, his work at Why Philanthropy Matters and his popular Philanthropisms podcasts;

• Rhodri’s new book “What is philanthropy for?” examining the relationship between charity, justice, state, democracy, and the market and philanthropy;
• current big trends in philanthropy, including debates around tainted donations and examining the role of power in philanthropy and the value of participatory grant-making;
• crypto-philanthropy and its usage in the UK and the Charity Commission’s Cryptocurrency blog;
• the role of AI in charity and philanthropy, citing challenges, failures and opportunities. Specifically looking at issues of discrimination, privacy, and accountability. Revisiting Winckworth Sherwood employment team’s recent webinar on Data Protection: AI in the Workplace;
• the positive work of Charity Excellence Framework and the various free AI services and training they offer;
• Rhodri’s own personal favourite podcast interviews, including his recent interview with Dr Ewan Kirk on  “Philanthropy & giving ‘permission to fail” and some of Ruo’s personal favourite reads: “Decolonising Wealth” by Edgar Villanueva, “The Givers” by David Callahan and “Winners Take All” by Anand Giridharadas; and
• I.G Book Club’s upcoming book discussion and signing event with Rhodri in London on the 10 July 2023.