Giving Is Good For You: Why Britain should be bothered and give more
Inequality in Britain is on the rise. Does this matter? Should we be bothered that the rich give proportionately much less than the poor? And that only a small minority of the very wealthy are giving generously?
Ninety per cent of NHS trusts are restricting routine operations. Youth unemployment is at record levels. Meanwhile, those on the Sunday Times Rich List have increased their wealth by 280 per cent since the turn of the millennium, amidst press reports of massive tax avoidance.
For the first time in living memory, children cannot expect to be as well off as their parents. Wealth and privilege is under scrutiny.
Giving is Good for You demonstrates that growing inequality and poverty is a threat to everyone even the wealthy and that the most unequal societies are the most dysfunctional, unhealthy and violent. The generous minority are urging their peers to follow suit, arguing that in addition to enhancing public benefit as public spending falls, giving can be personally fulfilling, particularly for those who realise that money is not the key to human happiness.
SEE ALSO: New book published on why giving is good for you (10 June 2013)
The author asks philanthropists, charities and those they support what should be done to encourage us to give more of our money and more of our time to good causes. The solutions they propose will challenge us all, but particularly the wealthy elite and the government.
WATCH: John Nickson on Giving is Good for You
Reviews
“John Nickson, one of the UK’s most successful fundraisers, shines a rare light on how little the rich give. This is a more than important book which, in an age of austerity, could change lives”
Jon Snow
“Spread the word-giving money away feels good. In fact, it is exhilarating. And it changes lives. John Nickson knows more about philanthropy than anyone I know and explains that altruism and generous acts of giving are vital to ethical societies”
Helena Kennedy QC
John Nickson is also the author of Our Common Good.
- John Nickson joins UK Community Foundations as a trustee (12 November 2015)
- Why do wealthy donors give to charity: a new book ‘Richer Lives’ explains (4 October 2013)
