The Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program, at 杏吧原创 University, hosted a PhilanthroThink webinar, “Why Rich People Give,” on Nov. 28, 2025. Below is a and a list of seven reasons why wealthy people give (with timestamps if you want to go to that part of the video):

8:26 They are influenced by the expectations of other wealthy people.
14:31 Philanthropy gives them hope and provides personal satisfaction.
20:44 Some want to respond to immediate needs with less structured giving.
29:43 Believing in a cause, giving purpose to life and developing relationships.
44:01 They feel a desire to give back to the community but are averse to risk.
54:51 They want to leave a legacy or set an example for their children.
58:40 They want to take advantage of tax incentives for giving.

Featuring (Principal, Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, UK) and (Pears Fellow, Centre for Philanthropy, University of Kent, UK), the webinar reviewed insights in “” (2025), a book they wrote, with Theresa Lloyd, that builds on two previous publications (“ and ““) and twenty years of research into why and how the richer members of our society engage in philanthropy.

reflected on their research and how the book’s insights apply to Canada. As the founding President of Philanthropic Foundations Canada, Pearson worked for decades with many of the largest private charitable foundations in Canada. She was also a strategic advisor and facilitator for many family foundations in their work to develop goals and to structure their governance and grantmaking practices.

The moderator was Susan Phillips, Professor Emerita in the MPNL program, 杏吧原创 University. Susan researches comparative public policy for the third sector, philanthropy and nonprofits, and public management. In 2023, she published 鈥淧hilanthropic Response to Disasters: Gifts, Givers and Consequences,鈥� with Alexandra Williamson and Diana Leat, and in 2021, published with Bob Wyatt, Canada鈥檚 first, comprehensive book about our country鈥檚 sector.

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Barb McInnes, co-founder and leader of the Ottawa Community Foundation for decades, was at the forefront of transformative work, creating new avenues for individuals to invest in their communities and foster change. Each year, the MPNL program awards the Barbara McInnes Scholarship in Philanthropy to an outstanding student entering the MPNL program, in recognition of Barb McInnes’s roles in shaping the Community Foundations of Canada, helping to develop foundations across the country, supporting the first steps of community foundations in Eastern Europe, and much more in Canada and around the world.

Now, you can read about her work and legacy in a recently published book. 鈥�,鈥� by Glenn McInnes. The book is a heartfelt exploration of her journey, through the eyes of those who experienced her mentorship, kindness and vision. Barb鈥檚 dedication to philanthropy left a mark on individuals, communities and the world at large. The book鈥檚 contributors are .

鈥淏arbara McInnes was a bold, visionary thinker who could turn big ideas into action,鈥� says Susan Phillips, Professor Emerita of the MPNL program. 鈥淪he was also an inspirational teacher whose regular guest lectures in MPNL, at 杏吧原创 University, were greatly valued by both students and faculty. Barb continues teaching us through the contributions of this book.”

鈥淚t offers important lessons for leadership in building stronger, more vibrant communities, and is a must read for anyone seeking to make a difference through philanthropy,鈥� Phillips says. “For those working in, or with, community foundations across Canada and internationally, this book is a treasure trove of ideas for nurturing authentic relationships and trust with boards, donors, grantees and community organizations.鈥�

Please join us for the celebratory book launch on Sept. 15, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., in the (OAG).

Also, for $30, and pick it up while attending the launch at the OAG. If you can’t make it to the launch, .

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“Philanthropic Response to Disasters: Gifts, Givers and Consequences”

Edited by Alexandra Williamson, Diana Leat and Susan Phillips (2023)

(2023) is a pioneering effort to collect established knowledge about all aspects of philanthropic responses to disasters in one condensed, informative and readable volume. Published by Policy Press, the book is a step toward curating our existing knowledge in the emerging field of 鈥榙isaster philanthropy鈥� and to building a robust base for future research, practice and public policy.

Contents of the Book

1. Introduction — Diana Leat, Susan D. Phillips and Alexandra Williamson
2. The Public鈥檚 Philanthropic Response to Disaster: Plus Ca Change? — Diana Leat
3. Disaster Fundraising: Readiness Matters — Wendy Scaife
4. Roles of Philanthropic Foundations as Funders and Distribution Agents in Disaster Response — Alexandra Williamson and Diana Leat
5. The Private Sector and Disasters: From Reactive Response to Disaster Resilience — Michael Moran, Graham Dwyer and Krystian Seibert
6. Fundraising, Grant Making and Regulatory Issues: Regulating Good in Bad Times — Myles McGregor-Lowndes
7. Doing Good Better: Public Policy for Disaster Philanthropy — Susan D. Phillips and Kristen Pue
8. Philanthropy鈥檚 Place in Community-Based Capacity Development for Disaster Resilience — Megan Conway
9. Nonprofit Collaboration and Coordination in Disaster Response: Lessons from the September 11th Recovery — Gregory R. Witkowski
10. The Promise and Reality of Philanthropy in Disasters — Jeffrey Schlegelmilch
11. Conclusions and Looking Forward — Alexandra Williamson, Diana Leat and Susan D. Phillips

Alexandra Williamson is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the (ACPNS) in the Faculty of Business & Law at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). She has more than a decade of experience working in the philanthropic sector in Melbourne, first with one of Australia鈥檚 largest private foundations, and then within the charitable trusts team of a national trustee company. She was also part of the research team working on Giving Australia 2015-2016, the largest ever Australian study into philanthropic giving.

Diana Leat is a board member for and the . Based in the UK, she has more than 30 years of experience as an academic specialist in philanthropy, and as a consultant and board member, including with the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. Leat is the author of more than 100 articles and books on the non-profit sector and social policy, specializing in philanthropic foundations.

Susan Phillips is a Professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration and Founder and Supervisor of the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership Graduate Program at 杏吧原创 University. She’s researching “Models of cross-sector leadership,” “The responses of foundations during COVID-19,” and “Strategies for enhancing the financial sustainability of Canada鈥檚 charities,” among other research projects, and she’s the Policy Lead with the Charity Insights Canada Project.

Recording of the book’s launch in May 2023

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Edited by Dr. Susan D. Phillips (MPNL Program Supervisor) and Bob Wyatt (President of the Muttart Foundation and MPNL alumnus), is a new book published in 2021, Canada鈥檚 first, comprehensive look at our country鈥檚 voluntary and nonprofit sector.

Featuring 36 chapters by 52 academics and sector leaders, the e-book is freely available at: .

You can access individual chapters or the full, 680-page e-book, all of it published under a Creative Commons license, which allows free, non-commercial use.

鈥淭his is an amazing new resource for those studying or interested in Canada鈥檚 voluntary sector,鈥� Dr. Phillips says. 鈥淭he authors have explored topics ranging from fundraising to governance, the sector鈥檚 history to its work in effecting public policy.鈥�

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