Giving Thought podcast

Silicon Valley, Billionaires & Philanthropy, with Teddy Schleifer

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On this episode we talk to Teddy Schleifer, Senior Reporter, Money & Influence at Recode (part of the Vox Media group), about billionaires, Silicon Valley and philanthropy. Including:

Silicon Valley Philanthropy

  • Do most tech billionaires see their wealth as “self-made”, or do they recognise any sense of societal debt, luck etc? How does this shape their giving?
  • How does the wider public view the philanthropy of modern tech billionaires?
  • Are tech donors particularly prone to solutionism or a desire for “moonshots” in their philanthropy?
  • Are many big tech donors happy with the idea of giving away power as well as money? Or are they likely to want to retain control of decision-making about their philanthropy? Does this make them any different to other big money donors?
  • Are donors like Mackenzie Scott, who seem to be trying to shift power as well as financial resources through her philanthropy, merely outliers; or do they signal a wider trend?

 

Reporting on Philanthropy

  • Why is it important to have journalists focussing on philanthropy?
  • How do you balance focussing on the individual stories of philanthropists vs systemic issues about philanthropy as a whole?
  • Is there an argument for more philanthropic funding of journalistic scrutiny of philanthropy?
  • Could increased philanthropic funding of news media actually undermine journalism’s ability to hold philanthropy itself to account? (E.g. if outlets self-censor to avoid upsetting existing or potential patrons).

 

Critiques of Philanthropy

  • Is there a danger that scrutiny can tip over into cynicism when it comes to philanthropy?
  • Should we worry that the growing wave of scepticism, and even cynicism towards philanthropy, will have a negative impact on people’s willingness to give?
  • Of the current critiques levelled at philanthropy, which are potentially misguided or overstated, and which are genuinely important to heed?
  • Do these critiques only really apply to big money/elite philanthropy?

 

Transparency in Philanthropy

  • Do wealthy donors deliberately use philanthropy to deflect or preclude criticism of their business dealings, tax affairs etc, or are reputational benefits merely a side-effect of genuinely altruistic behaviour in some cases?
  • Do foundations (and donors) need to be more transparent? If so, why and about what? Who does it benefit (the foundations themselves, their donors, grantees, taxpayers etc.)
  • Should we be concerned about the growing trend for elite donors to use LLCs and other vehicles that may be less transparent?

 

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