Why do people give?
This question is as old as the world itself. There are no rules or standard answers, because it is a very personal matter. “Empathy comes from the stomach, generosity from the heart, and philanthropy from the mind. ”To give requires you to make decisions based on a value system, and these decisions incur specific demands when expectations increase. A donor becomes a philanthropist when he wants a more structured and proactive philanthropic process. Today, in our ever-changing world which faces many challenges, philanthropists are increasingly eager to see quantifiable results from their donations but also want to search for meaning through philanthropy. Therefore, if you give 100 euros, your criteria – result and search for meaning – may well be different to someone who gives a million euro.

Is there a minimum amount to give in order to be called a philanthropist?
Philanthropy represents only a drop in the bucket of what is needed in terms of humanitarian, social or cultural aid. Donations are always fewer than actual needs. The question of amount is important, but falls short of explaining what a donation really is. An entrepreneur once told me, “it took me five years to make significant donations. I wanted to make sure that my money would be well spent and that I could have the most impact.” The question of how to give effectively is the essence of philanthropy. Thinking about how to give better is probably as important as the decision to give more.

Innovation in philantrophy therefore has to do with the way one gives?
Yes, we believe so. New giving models are at the core of philanthropic innovation. You can choose to support associations or social enterprises; make a gift or a loan; define performance criteria rather than support a cause without explicit expectations; or get involved in one’s lifetime rather than through a will. These new giving models are changing the face of philanthropy today.

Does this innovation approach make it easier to achieve results and social impact?
Experience shows us that obtaining results is a process that begins with defining a clear strategy to support a chosen cause. It is essential to understand the context, identify the right partners and to agree on target results and the expected impact in advance, as well as ways to measure performance in order to adapt strategies when needed. Such an approach gives you a much better chance of achieving impact. As Alan Lakein said, “Failing to plan is planning to fail."

What results do donors expect to achieve?
Expectations vary widely: some donors just want to make sure their grant is used effectively, while others set ambitious quantitative targets (for instance, a project to find jobs for 13,000 young Brazilians). Overall, though, donors want technical support for the projects they contribute to as well as in-depth monitoring of those projects. A philanthropy advisor can ensure that grants are being used as effectively as possible and as discussed. Donors want to be reassured, and rightly so, that their expectations are being met.

People speak a lot more about philanthropy today. Is this a good thing?
It is important to speak about what is well done. We could summarise the situation in these terms: philanthropists seek more confidentiality (vis-à-vis the general public) but less anonymity (vis-à-vis their peers or the organisation they support.). However depending on the culture, the approach towards speaking-up on philanthropic activities can vary greatly. Most of the philanthropists we work with at WISE participate actively in the dialogue with beneficiaries. They often join us on field trips to witness the impact of the projects they support. One philanthropist, after watching young people from a São Paulo favela converse with his children, who were around the same age, turned to me in the taxi as we left and said, “We have a lot more in common than we have differences.”