Welcome to the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy.
If you want to dramatically increase giving while simultaneously building the wellbeing of your supporters – you are in the right place.
At the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy, we work with nonprofit professionals like you to do something extraordinary: Grow the human capacity to love.
We achieve this using the latest insights from philanthropic psychology—or Phil Psych® - a scientific approach to fundraising that focuses on the donor's identity, emotions, and wellbeing.
So how is PhilPsych® different?
Go Beyond Donor-Centric: Grow Love
You already care about your donors.
You use the right pronouns.
You celebrate their impact, not just your organization's achievements
You may even track satisfaction, commitment, and trust - key metrics of a strong supporter relationship.
But what if there’s more?
What if your communication could transform how donors see themselves and deepen their connection to your mission? What if fundraising became a tool to grow their sense of purpose and identity?
We know this is possible and we would love to help you and your teams experience the transformation that applying PhilPsych can bring.
How can we help you today?
I want to learn more about the science of Philanthropic Psychology
You’ve come to the right place. The Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy is the home of the new science of Philanthropic Psychology or as we affectionately know it PhilPsych.
We study how to grow philanthropy through the unique lens of the science of love. So what we do is distinctive because we focus on the impact of philanthropy on the community AND on the donor. The act of giving should be meaningful for both.
I’m looking for help to apply PhilPsych and implement the theory
We do find that some of our alumnae need a little extra help to bring PhilPsych ideas alive in their organizations.
We can offer the design and implementation of our identity driven donor surveys and communications audits where we can assess your current approach and make recommendations for change.
We also offer fundraising audits which look at your wider fundraising approach and its strategic direction. We’d be happy to discuss your specific needs. You can reach us at HereForYou@philanthropy-institute.org.uk
I am looking for a speaker for an event
We can provide speakers for a variety of sector events.
Both Adrian Sargeant and Jen Shang are available. They offer sessions in PhilPsych, Donor Retention/Loyalty, Great Fundraising, Legacies and Communications Design.
They can also build bespoke sessions if you are looking for something specific.
I would like to deepen my knowledge of Philanthropic Psychology
We offer a range of online courses, all informed by the learning from PhilPsych.
All our classes vary in length from 20-40 hours and are taught over a period of 4-8 weeks. You can log in whenever you wish, so where you happen to be in the world will not be an issue.
We offer Certificates in Philanthropic Psychology, Copywriting, Digital and Legacies/Bequests.
I would like to join the Love Project
You are most welcome to join our latest research project - the Love Project 2.0.
We are regularly conducting experiments with live fundraising communication designed to both grow giving and expand the fundraising body of knowledge.
Currently we’re looking to understand how to build love in fundraising, the kinds of love that might have most resonance and how that love should be experienced by supporters.
I have a general question
Our small, friendly team would be happy to help.
Please reach out to us at:
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