The Philanthropy in Russia published earlier this year by PSJP, CAF Russia, WINGS and Alliance report notes a dearth of foundations or individuals willing to support progressive causes in Russia. ‘Progressive causes are more likely to be supported where money is raised from the public’ says Maria Chertok of CAF Russia. This post on Alliance by Elisabeth Schimpfössl looks at some of the political and social reasons for conservative philanthropic choices by wealthy Russians.
Since the turn of the century, philanthropic giving by Russia’s rich has seen extraordinary growth. However, their generosity is deeply rooted in history and culture, as well as constrained by ideology and politics.
Many of those who initially were less than excited about engaging in philanthropy swiftly identified their philanthropic passion to avoid having a disagreeable project assigned to them by the authorities.