Lessons From Abroad
In Brazil, Mallabone and Myers learned individual giving is so new some donors fear kidnapping if their names are published. In India, wealth is kept within a family and transferred from one generation to the next. In China, where growth and tremendous social needs exist side by side, one major donor described the country as undergoing an “age of enlightenment” ... with personal philanthropy as a natural outgrowth.
Warwick sees credibility and trust as major issues for emerging countries.
“The word ‘distrust’ doesn’t even begin to convey the jaundiced attitude so many in the Global South have for nonprofits,” he says.
Warwick is a U.S. delegate to the Resource Alliance, a British organization that supplies advice, training and support for fledgling programs. He and others believe trust will come from the fundraising professionalism that emerging countries desperately need.
Mallabone and Myers, who presented the plenary session at the International Fundraising Congress, summed up their view of the top
eight global events influencing the new world of philanthropy:
- Woldwide democracy;
- Capitalism in emerging countries and creation of a global middle class;
- An open-market economy free of barriers on trade and transportation;
- A shrinking communications world where voice and data can bring people anywhere together instantly;
- Environmental awareness;
- Growth of the nonprofit sector to help solve problems that business and government can’t or won’t;
- Global disasters, which affect attitudes and giving patterns; and
- Terrorism.
One place to get a global view is the Resource Alliance Web site at www.resource-alliance.org.
Tom Hurley is president of DMW Worldwide’s nonprofit division.
Contact: thurley@dmwdirect.com.
