Rich Expectations

'The better that philanthropy and philanthropists are understood, the more philanthropy there will be and the better it will be done. This book makes a rigorous and strong contribution to the important goal of furthering both.' [from the foreword]

Rory Brooks CBE, Philanthropist and Board Member of the Charity Commission for England and Wales

‘In his 1889 essay The Gospel of Wealth, Andrew Carnegie warned, “The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced.” In this book, Breeze, Davies and Lloyd cut through assumptions about wealthy donors to reveal the real motivations behind their giving. The book is a gem, offering essential insights for anyone seeking to understand and encourage strategic philanthropy.’

Zaki Cooper, Co-Founder, Integra and Co-Chair, Giving and Impact Summit

‘As society becomes ever more ready to disparage wealth holders, this book is a vital resource for anyone who wants to understand how wealthy donors are trying to respond to an increasingly complex world. It reminds us of the empathy and vulnerability which lies at the core of ordinary people who make the extraordinary choice to use their privilege in service of others.’

Cath Dovey, Co-Founder, Beacon Collaborative

‘The previous editions of this book have become essential reading for anyone with an interest in philanthropy and fundraising. The current edition is, perhaps, the most illuminating of the series, with the research shedding light on where and how rich donors are giving in a world that’s changing (socially, politically, economically and technologically – all areas considered in the book) – as well as on the people behind the media coverage. Overall, Rich Expectations provides another valuable resource for funders, researchers, philanthropists and their advisors, and even the general public, who, as one respondent observed, ‘‘don’t remotely understand whatphilanthropy is about’’.’
Dr Peter Grant, Senior Lecturer in Management, Bayes Business School

'This is an essential guide to understanding the motivations of philanthropists and the expectations they have. Philanthropist are often subject to scrutiny and criticism, and rarely do we hear the justifications and voices of the wealthy who give. This book provides an insightful and comprehensive mix of data and personal stories, to bring the subject to life in an easily accessible way. Indispensable reading for the charity sector!’

Fozia Irfan OBE, Director of Impact and Influence, BBC Children in Need

'It’s a fascinating read for anyone, not least because it draws on the experiences of 88 people who should be central to any discussion of philanthropy yet who are usually wary about making their views public: the wealthy donors themselves.'

Richard Morrison, Chief Culture Writer, The Times

‘This book offers fascinating insights into the thinking of rich UK donors and will be of great interest to all those in Canada wanting to understand the motivations, fears, and expectations of their potential donors.’

Hilary Pearson, Former President, Philanthropic Foundations Canada

‘Rich Expectations is essential reading for anyone involved with philanthropy. It is especially relevant in these challenging times as voluntary income from high-net-worth individuals becomes even more crucial for the continuation and success of a healthy voluntary sector. Hearing from rich donors about their expectations and motivations is crucial to building solid relationships and partnerships; this book provides so many wise insights to help you do that.’

Jeff Shear, CEO, Solid Management

‘The authors of this work have been fundamental in shaping my family’s foundation and, with Rich Expectations, they deliver the antidote to tired monolithic ideas of what and who a philanthropist is – ideas that have never chimed with my family nor myself. By framing philanthropists as an ecosystem and a diverse collective, they demonstrate that embracing the multitude of drivers that motivate rich people to give is key for getting more money into the sector. In this critical moment of exponentially rising need and ever-diminishing sources of funding, the timing and findings of this book are vital. Rich Expectations will, I believe, be catalytic for encouraging all to embrace the potential of philanthropy for good.’

Kate Symondson, Philanthropist and Head of Philanthropy at the Symondson Foundation

‘A thoughtful collection of stories that nudge us to reconsider what we mean by success, and how we live with the privileges we carry. It offers gentle provocations to shift how you think about purpose, identity and what really matters.’

Sonal Sachdev Patel, CEO, GMSP Foundation

‘The Why Rich People Give series has helped inform my fundraising practice and career for the last 20 years. As the third book in the series, Rich Expectations builds on its predecessors to provide an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the motivations of major donors in the UK today. A valuable source for charity leaders and fundraisers, the book goes beyond just presenting survey findings – it offers a concise yet illuminating exploration of the evolution of philanthropy over the past decade. Crucially, it helps charities to position themselves for the future, and, with arts and culture identified as the third most popular cause among rich donors, it is of particular interest to the arts and cultural sector. From exploring the motivations for and primary drivers of giving by rich people to identifying what truly appeals to them, this book provides the tools to frame compelling cases for support in a changing philanthropic landscape.’

Clare Titley, Director of Business Innovation and Philanthropy, Arts Council England