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Giving Thought

THE THINK TANK FOR DOING GOOD

Understanding and reimagining civil society and how we support it.

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SHAPING THE FUTURE OF CIVIL SOCIETY

Giving Thought is our think tank. It’s where we consider the key challenges facing civil society globally, explore how and why people give and companies give, and test radical new ideas that could shape the future of charity.

We provide insight and stimulate debate that leads to changes in policy and practice which foster healthier civil society around the world. We explore trends in giving and how developments in society and technology will open up new opportunities for doing good.

Latest Giving Thought podcasts

Modern Grantmaking, with Gemma Bull and Tom Steinberg
We talk to the authors of a new book on grantmaking about humility, diversity, privilege, innovation and impact.
Philanthropy, Racial Justice & Funding Grassroots Organising, with Lori Bezahler
We talk to the President of the Edward W. Hazen Foundation
Poverty, Participation & the Pandemic, with Jo Kerr & Sonya Ruparel
We talk to the Director of Impact & Innovation and the Director of Programmes & Partnerships from poverty charity Turn2Us

More podcasts from Giving Thought

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Why civil society matters

How do we strengthen the vital role of civil society within democracy?

Our content for civil society

How giving works

We explore what makes giving tick by looking at the available evidence.

Our content for how giving works

Creating a future of doing good

New social trends and developments in technology will transform the ways in which we help others.

Our content for the future of good

Why giving matters

Is giving more important than ever in today’s world?

Our content on why giving matters

Latest comment from Giving Thought

9 June 2020

Changing course to weather the storm

How place-based giving schemes have adapted under COVID-19.
29 April 2020

Philanthropy and Civil Society after Covid-19: Key questions for the future

The covid-19 pandemic is having an enormous short-term impact on all of our lives. Yet the long-term implications are still far from clear. Will this period of disruption lead to fundamental changes in how our society and economy operates? Or will we revert to how things were before as soon as it is over?
21 April 2020

A summer of giving back

The Olympics, Glastonbury, Eurovision… this summer we will be missing many great events. Despite the disappointment of so many missed moments, there is an opportunity to turn what could be a ‘summer of CANCELLED’ into a ‘summer of GIVING’.

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Brazilian Philanthropy Forum 2018

Rhodri Davies discusses the choice for philanthropists is no longer whether to engage with technology, but how they do so.

NAVCA's 2018 Forging Community Conference

Rhodri Davies in the Revolutionaries Roundtable, speaking about the impact of emerging dispruptive technologies on charity.

CAF at Tech:UK Blockchain for Good Event May 2018

Rhodri Davies talks about the speed of technological change and how tech will benefit, and challenge, charity.

Giving Thought in the news

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Publications by GIVING THOUGHT

From the margins to the mainstream

In this paper we explore what a range of historical examples can tell us about the complex relationship between philanthropic funders and movements that have sought to further diversity, equity and inclusion.

Machine-Made Goods: Charities, Philanthropy and Artificial Intelligence

This report discusses the profound implications Artificial Intelligence will for civil society and the work of charities.

This report discusses the profound...

CAF submission to House of Lords call for evidence on AI

This is CAF's submission to a call for evidence from the House of Lords Select committe on Artifical Intelligence (AI). We outline the work we have done in this area and how we think this technology will affect charities and donors.

This is CAF's submission to a call for...

Giving a Sense of Place: Philanthropy and the future of UK civic identity

In this report - part of the "Giving for the City" project - we look at the the role that philanthropy can play in towns and cities around the UK, and what needs to be done to build a new golden age of civic philanthropy in this country.

In this report - part of the "Giving for the...

Visit the Giving Thought publications library

Meet the Giving Thought team

Rhodri Davies

Head of Policy

Rhodri leads Giving Thought, our in-house think tank focusing on current and future issues affecting philanthropy and civil society. Rhodri has spent nearly a decade specialising in public policy around philanthropy and the work of charities, and has researched, written and presented on a wide range of topics. He has a first-class degree in Mathematics and Philosophy from the University of Oxford. Read more about Rhodri

E: givingthought@cafonline.org

@Rhodri_H_Davies

Daniel Ferrell-Schweppenstedde

Policy and Public Affairs Manager

Daniel's focus includes challenging the closing space for civil society, enabling positive environments for charities and the global development goals. Previously Daniel worked at the Directory of Social Change and RAND Europe. Daniel has experience of international development in Cambodia and working with the Mercator Foundation. Daniel is originally from Germany and holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Hertie School of Governance and a BA/BSc in Public Administration from the University of Twente and Munster.

T: +44 3000 123 206
E: campaigns@cafonline.org

@dschweppCAF