Praise for Give Smart
This is a book that, though concise and very accessibly written, embraces the nuance and complexity of philanthropy, seeking to explain itand doing so very wellrather than to deny it. It is an absolute must-read for people involved in giving away large sums. Mr. Tierney and Mr. Fleishman are particularly eloquentand their message especially important for new major donorswhen it comes to how to work effectively with grantees. Unlike others writing about philanthropy who have caricatured staffs of charities as Birkenstock-wearing idealists lacking in management skills, Mr. Tierney and Mr. Fleishman urge philanthropists to treat those on the front lines with the respect they deserve. This book is among the very best I have seen in an emerging genre of donor-education literature. Phil Buchanen, Chronicle of Philanthropy
An interesting and well-considered guide to go to before you give. Publishers Weekly
"[Give Smart] teems with practical advice for those seeking to find an effective way to give money to stimulate and accelerate societal improvement. The case studies of well-known philanthropists, from Andrew Carnegie to Michael J. Fox, make for compelling and inspirational reading." Library Journal
Whatever your means, Give Smart provides an interesting discussion to help you evaluate your own charitable contributions. Associated Press
A superb guide for donors who want to be as smart in their giving as they have been in business. Adam Meyerson, PhilanthropyRoundtable.org
Credible books that encourage potential donors to step out of their external and internal pressure cookers, and into serious thinking, are indeed important and useful. Tierney and Fleishman have written such a book Powerful. Tierney and Fleishman speak directly and clearly to an implied audience of very wealth donors, with both respect and candor. Melissa Berman, Stanford Social Innovation Review
A very readable, motivating introductory guide to engaged giving. With its storytelling approach this will be a book that many donors will read. Alliance Magazine
Give Smart is a great gift to the world. By asking questionsthe right questionsTierney and Fleishman guide, advise, challenge, and, as with all great teachers, push us to find our own best answers. If you want your philanthropy to be usefulchanging lives, solving intractable problems, making society work betterthen engage deeply with this book! Jim Collins, author of Good to Great and the Social Sectors
One of the most exciting and important parts of my job as a philanthropist is learning. Over the years, Bill and I have learned so much from the authors of this book, and we are thrilled to see that wisdom collected in Give Smart so that everybody can benefit from it the way we have. Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Having been on both sides of the check, first working in philanthropy and now as a recipient of philanthropic dollars, I found Give Smart a must read. The relationship between grant makers and nonprofit organizations is a delicate dance, one thatwhen done wellcan achieve incredible social good. Not only does this book provide a practical guide for those who want to achieve high impact philanthropy, it also helps nonprofits understand the aspirations and expectations of the donor. Dont begin, or continue, your philanthropy without reading it. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE and former Director of HIV programs for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Giving away money is easy, but making a real difference is hard work. Give Smart addresses these challenges head-on and provides a strong analytic framework and practical advice for effective philanthropyreplete with compelling examples. Written by two leaders in the field, this is a must-read for the new philanthropist and a valuable resource for old hands as well. Paul Brest, president, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and co-author of Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan for Smart Philanthropy
Give Smart is must reading for all philanthropists, large or small. Its written by two people with long experience, and it will make your gifts go farther. John C. Whitehead, former chairman of Goldman Sachs and former deputy secretary of state
As Pam and I continue to learn through our own giving, the challenges in creating positive social impact are many and complex. Give Smart provides thoughtful guidance on how to build an effective and personal approach to philanthropy, illustrated through real-world examples, proven methodologies, and insightful commentary. We highly recommend Give Smart to anyone who wants to make a difference, whether in their local community or around the world. Pierre Omidyar, founder and chairman, eBay; founding partner, Omidyar Network
For Eleanor and Ralph Tierney,
who shaped my values and beliefs
while teaching me always to do my share
and then some.
~Tom
To my parents, A. M. and Ruth Fleishman.
My memory of their example will always inspire me
to strive to be a blessing for others.
~Joel
PREFACE
We believe that you can achieve significantly greater results with the money and time you give awayif you put your mind where your heart inclines you, if you confront the right questions, and if you are willing to try. In those three ifs lies the key to unlocking philanthropys full potentialfor donors and for foundations.
We believe that all philanthropy is deeply personal and highly circumstantial. There are no simple steps, fancy frameworks, or trusted tools upon which you can always rely. We believe that by asking the right questionsat the right time and in the right wayyou will be far more likely to achieve the change you want to bring about in the world. You will also have a lot more fun, and live a richer and more meaningful life.
These beliefs led us to create this book. With it, our primary goal is to serve those who serve society, and to do so in a manner that will help them achieve genuinely better results for their communities, their countries, and our world. Whom do we have in mind? First, everyone engaged in the work of giving: individual donors and their families, foundation executives, philanthropic advisors, trustees, and decision makers of every sort who are motivated to Give Smartto use their own philanthropic resources or those they steward to generate the best possible results. We expect this book will also prove useful for people on the receiving end of philanthropic giving: the leaders of the mission-driven organizations that constitute the world of philanthropys grantees.
The ideas presented in these pages are the product of our personal and institutional experiences. They bridge theory and practice, business and academia, grant making and grant receiving. In a very real sense, this book is the endpoint to a journey we embarked upon from quite different starting points. One of us, Tom, began in the business world, where he pursued a career in management consulting that culminated in his becoming worldwide managing director of Bain & Company; he served on the boards of many nonprofits along the way. And one of us, Joel, began in academia, where he produced new knowledge about foundations and their charitable giving; he ultimately served as founder and faculty chair of the Center for Strategic Philanthropy and Civil Society at Duke Universitys Sanford School of Public Policy.
