Creativity in charity work

There is no doubt that philanthropy, as an ideal foundation for civil society, is in dire need of renewal, and what such renewal entails is a matter of vigorous debate. Einheier and Litt chart a clear path through this debate, offering a new model for philanthropy for the twenty-first century, and exploring it in relation to charitable policy and management. This is applied social science at its best: intellectual, empirically grounded, constructive, and practical. Professor: The Lord Anthony Giddens, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics, UK The UK economy and philanthropy have been baffling social enterprises. In this book, which challenges both supporters and critics of philanthropy, Einheier and Litt offer their original contribution on the intrinsic role these unique institutions can best play in societies. Their contribution is important not only for those who establish, manage, and operate these institutions, but also for those who organize them, benefit from them, or feel threatened by these powerful institutions—the latter group including all our citizens. Mark H. Moore is the Hauser Professor of Nonprofit Organizations, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Philanthropy is in trouble because it has underestimated the potential power of endowments. The ability to overcome this crisis will provide the key to repositioning philanthropy as a central institution in contemporary society. For future legitimacy and growth, achieving the greatest impact through what we call "philanthropic innovation" is a central theme for philanthropy today. Charities have undoubtedly done much good in the world, but the central question is not "Are charities doing good?" but "Are charities doing the best they can in the current environment?" To achieve both, a new approach is needed: "creative charities." This book defines the concept of creativity, explores why charities embrace it, what creativity as a practice entails, what management tools they need, what dilemmas and tensions they create, and what outcomes they achieve. Charities are the potential powerhouses for the creative thinking and action that contemporary society needs, and the concept proposed here—the creative charity—can represent an important step toward fulfilling that promise. Using a combination of preliminary sketches and more detailed case studies of selected organizations in the USA, the UK, and Australia to provide real-life examples of theory in action, the authors provide a unique and inspiring perspective on these exciting and dynamic organizations. Obeikan Publishing