Rich Expectations

Professor Beth Breeze is Principal of Harris Manchester College, Oxford. She also co-founded and was Director of the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent from 2012 to 2025. Prior to that, Beth worked as a fundraiser and charity manager for a decade before completing a doctoral thesis on contemporary UK philanthropy. Her publications include Rich Expectations: why rich people give (2025), Advising Philanthropists: Principles and practice (2023), with Emma Beeston; The Fundraising Reader (2023), In Defence of Philanthropy (2021); The New Fundraisers: Who organises charitable giving in contemporary society? (2017) and The Philanthropy Reader (2016).Rhodri Davies is the founding Director of the think tank Why Philanthropy Matters, a Research Fellow in the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent, and Philanthropy Expert in Residence at the Pears Foundation. He is the author of  Rich Expectations: why rich people give (2025), What Is Philanthropy For? (2023) and Public Good by Private Means: How Philanthropy Shapes Britain (2016), and is the host of the Philanthropisms podcast.Theresa Lloyd is a well-regarded philanthropy expert and has undertaken pioneering research into the motivations and philanthropic practices of the wealthy. She is a leading advisor to non-profit organisations on strategic planning and philanthropy, and has counselled families on the development of philanthropy strategies. Theresa was the Founder Director of Philanthropy UK, now Philanthropy Impact, of which she was previously a Trustee. She is the author of Rich Expectations: why rich people give (2025), Richer Lives (2013), with Beth Breeze; Cultural Giving (2006); Why Rich People Give (2004); and  A Guide to Giving (2003).

'The better that philanthropy and philanthropists areunderstood, the more philanthropy there will be and the better it will be done.This book makes a rigorous and strong contribution to the important goal offurthering both.' [from the foreword]Rory Brooks CBE, Philanthropist and Board Member of theCharity Commission for England and Wales‘In his 1889 essay The Gospel of Wealth, AndrewCarnegie warned, “The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced.” In this book,Breeze, Davies and Lloyd cut through assumptions about wealthy donors to revealthe real motivations behind their giving. The book is a gem, offering essentialinsights for anyone seeking to understand and encourage strategicphilanthropy.’Zaki Cooper, Co-Founder, Integra and Co-Chair, Giving andImpact Summit ‘As society becomes ever more ready to disparage wealthholders, this book is a vital resource for anyone who wants to understand howwealthy donors are trying to respond to an increasingly complex world. Itreminds us of the empathy and vulnerability which lies at the core of ordinarypeople who make the extraordinary choice to use their privilege in service ofothers.’Cath Dovey, Co-Founder, Beacon Collaborative ‘The previous editions of this book have become essentialreading for anyone with an interest in philanthropy and fundraising. Thecurrent edition is, perhaps, the most illuminating of the series, with theresearch shedding light on where and how rich donors are giving in a worldthat’s changing (socially, politically, economically and technologically – allareas considered in the book) – as well as on the people behind the mediacoverage. Overall, Rich Expectations provides another valuable resource for funders,researchers, philanthropists and their advisors, and even the general public,who, as one respondent observed, ‘‘don’t remotely understand whatphilanthropyis about’’.’Dr Peter Grant, Senior Lecturer in Management, Bayes Business School 'This is an essential guide to understanding the motivationsof philanthropists and the expectations they have. Philanthropist are oftensubject to scrutiny and criticism, and rarely do we hear the justifications andvoices of the wealthy who give. This book provides an insightful andcomprehensive mix of data and personal stories, to bring the subject to life inan easily accessible way. Indispensable reading for the charity sector!’Fozia Irfan OBE, Director of Impact and Influence, BBCChildren in Need 'It’s a fascinating read for anyone, not least because itdraws on the experiences of 88 people who should be central to any discussionof philanthropy yet who are usually wary about making their views public: thewealthy donors themselves.'Richard Morrison, Chief Culture Writer, The Times ‘This book offers fascinating insights into the thinking ofrich UK donors and will be of great interest to all those in Canada wanting tounderstand the motivations, fears, and expectations of their potential donors.’Hilary Pearson, Former President, PhilanthropicFoundations Canada ‘Rich Expectations is essential reading foranyone involved with philanthropy. It is especially relevant in thesechallenging times as voluntary income from high-net-worth individuals becomeseven more crucial for the continuation and success of a healthy voluntary sector.Hearing from rich donors about their expectations and motivations is crucial tobuilding solid relationships and partnerships; this book provides so many wiseinsights to help you do that.’Jeff Shear, CEO, Solid Management ‘The authors of this work have been fundamental in shapingmy family’s foundation and, with Rich Expectations, they deliver theantidote to tired monolithic ideas of what and who a philanthropist is – ideasthat have never chimed with my family nor myself. By framing philanthropists asan ecosystem and a diverse collective, they demonstrate that embracing the multitudeof drivers that motivate rich people to give is key for getting more money intothe sector. In this critical moment of exponentially rising need andever-diminishing sources of funding, the timing and findings of this book arevital. Rich Expectations will, I believe, be catalytic for encouraging all toembrace the potential of philanthropy for good.’Kate Symondson, Philanthropist and Head of Philanthropyat the Symondson Foundation ‘A thoughtful collection of stories that nudge us toreconsider what we mean by success, and how we live with the privileges wecarry. It offers gentle provocations to shift how you think about purpose,identity and what really matters.’Sonal Sachdev Patel, CEO, GMSP Foundation ‘The Why Rich People Give series has helped inform myfundraising practice and career for the last 20 years. As the third book in theseries, Rich Expectations builds on its predecessors to provide anessential read for anyone seeking to understand the motivations of major donorsin the UK today. A valuable source for charity leaders and fundraisers, thebook goes beyond just presenting survey findings – it offers a concise yetilluminating exploration of the evolution of philanthropy over the past decade.Crucially, it helps charities to position themselves for the future, and, witharts and culture identified as the third most popular cause among rich donors,it is of particular interest to the arts and cultural sector. From exploringthe motivations for and primary drivers of giving by rich people to identifyingwhat truly appeals to them, this book provides the tools to frame compellingcases for support in a changing philanthropic landscape.’Clare Titley, Director of Business Innovation andPhilanthropy, Arts Council England