Why Rich People Give

The Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program, at Carleton University, hosted a PhilanthroThink webinar, “Why Rich People Give,” on Nov. 28, 2025. Below is a one-hour recording of the event and a list of seven reasons why wealthy people give (with timestamps if you want to go to that part of the video):

8:26 They are influenced by the expectations of other wealthy people.
14:31 Philanthropy gives them hope and provides personal satisfaction.
20:44 Some want to respond to immediate needs with less structured giving.
29:43 Believing in a cause, giving purpose to life and developing relationships.
44:01 They feel a desire to give back to the community but are averse to risk.
54:51 They want to leave a legacy or set an example for their children.
58:40 They want to take advantage of tax incentives for giving.

Featuring Beth Breeze (Principal, Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, UK) and Rhodri Davies (Pears Fellow, Centre for Philanthropy, University of Kent, UK), the webinar reviewed insights in “Rich Expectations: Why Rich People Give” (2025), a book they wrote, with Theresa Lloyd, that builds on two previous publications (“Richer Lives” and “Why Rich People Give“) and twenty years of research into why and how the richer members of our society engage in philanthropy.

Hilary Pearson reflected on their research and how the book’s insights apply to Canada. As the founding President of Philanthropic Foundations Canada, Pearson worked for decades with many of the largest private charitable foundations in Canada. She was also a strategic advisor and facilitator for many family foundations in their work to develop goals and to structure their governance and grantmaking practices.

The moderator was Susan Phillips, Professor Emerita in the MPNL program, Carleton University. Susan researches comparative public policy for the third sector, philanthropy and nonprofits, and public management. In 2023, she published “Philanthropic Response to Disasters: Gifts, Givers and Consequences,” with Alexandra Williamson and Diana Leat, and in 2021, published “Intersections and Innovations: Change in Canada’s Voluntary and Nonprofit Sector,” with Bob Wyatt, Canada’s first, comprehensive book about our country’s sector.