social science / philanthropy & charity

"Emphasizing empathy, focus, humility, and patience, 'Everyday Ambassador' offers...a way to create positive human interactions and positive change by showing [readers] a better way to be in a social networking world..."--Back cover.

"An inside look at the secretive world of elite philanthropists--and how they're quietly wielding ever more power to shape American life in ways both good bad"--Provided by publisher.

The charitable sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the global economy. Nearly half of the more than 85,000 private foundations in the United States have come into being since the year 2000. This deluge of philanthropy has helped create a world where billionaires wield more power over education policy, global agriculture, and global health than ever before. Far from being selfless, plutocratic philanthropy may be the ultimate profit-making tool. Author and academic Linsey McGoey puts this new golden age of philanthropy under the microscope--paying particular attention to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As large charitable organizations replace governments as the providers of social welfare, their largesse becomes suspect. The businesses fronting the money often create the very economic instability and inequality the foundations are purported to solve.

Contains the stories of twenty-five professional athletes who granted the wish of having a Make-A-Wish child get to meet them.

"A narrative about making a difference in the world--a roadmap to becoming a conscientious global citizen. A deep examination of people who are making the world a better place, and the myriad ways we can support them, whether with a donation of five dollars or five million, an inkling to help or a useful skill to deploy. With research and on-the-ground reporting, the authors assay the art and science of giving--determining the current most successful local and global aid initiatives (on issues from education to inner-city violence to disease prevention), evaluating the efficiency and impact of specific approaches and charities, as well as fundraising"--Provided by publisher.