| Abstract: | The objects of this paper are to enrich understanding of fundraising and consequently to increase funds raised by looking at the roles of funders and fundraisers in civil society. The idea of civil society includes charities but has broader scope, including all forms of independent association and combinations of people within the state, working for a common good, outside the government and economic spheres. The existence of such thriving associations necessarily entails voluntary funding. This gives a special role to funders and gives value to fundraising. Funders should be enabled to share the ideals of the causes they support and even to contribute to their activity, as partners in voluntary enterprise. Civil society is part of an Anglo-Saxon US and UK tradition. A different tradition dominant in the European Union could threaten the governance, independence and fiscal treatment of NGO's in the UK. |
