Book Review: Give Smart

There’s a new book on our shelf called Give Smart: Philanthropy that Gets Results by Thomas J. Tierney, co-founder of the nonprofit consulting firm The Bridgespan Group, and Joel L. Fleishman, professor of law and public policy at Duke University. By addressing six key questions, the authors provide valuable advice on how to make a positive social impact through effective investments in philanthropy. The book argues that philanthropy is most impactful when investors carefully select a handful of organizations to support. The authors review a number of organizations that have a history of making smart investments, many of which are key BRAC supporters. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Omidyar Network are two such examples. Through “mission related investing,” these organizations have been essential partners in helping BRAC alleviate poverty and empower communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, disease and social injustice.

“Omidyar Network (ON)…invests in for-profit socially oriented businesses, while also making grants to nonprofit organization….An example of the dual approach is ON’s support of BRAC, a Bangladeshi-based development organization focused on poverty alleviation, which is one of the largest NGOs in the world. ON and its sister organization Humanity United have given BRAC both philanthropic and investment capital for its work in Sierra Leone and Liberia; they have made equity investments to support the launch of microfinance operations in both countries; and they are providing grants for local health volunteers who dispense basic care and treatments for diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and cholera.”

To learn more about Give Smart or to purchase this great philantrhopic investment guide, which is packed with inspiring examples, click here.