A Philanthropist’s Guide to Summer Reading: 10 Books to Add to Your List This Season

Summer is here. Enjoy some rest and relaxation with a list of ten books hand-picked by our Executive Director, Sanja for a more meaningful experience on the beach this year.

1. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

The way of the Essentialist is about prioritizing the essential and eliminating the unnecessary. It is not a way of productivity, but rather as a way of discipline based on simplicity and organization. It is easy to lose track of what is essential in today’s world abundant in noise and distraction. Sometimes it’s good to pause and ask why?

2. Clean Money Revolution by Joel Solomon

Clean Money Revolution is the identification of the impending capitalistic change. The book explores the inevitability of global change and the impacts that capitalism can have in wake of the events. From one of the Canadian pioneers of impact investing: an argument that investing for good can also come with financial benefits.

3. The Economics of Inequality by Thomas Piketty

The Economics of Inequality tackles the use of capitalism to spark innovation and growth equally through the lower class to the upper. Piketty provides the foundation to fundamental issues in contemporary economics and politics while offering means of reducing said issues. A bit more academic than other books on this list, but nevertheless a worthy look behind the curtain of economics and inequality.

4. The Principles by Ray Dalio

The Principles examines the successful come-up of Dalio’s investment firm and the principles that he held dear, the very same principles that he maintains as the keys to success in all aspects of decision-making. Some might find Ray Dalio’s approach crude and insensitive, but the principles of self-reflection, feedback, and making oneself better are all things we can’t argue with.

5. The Spirit Level by Richard G. Wilkinson and Kate Pickett

The Spirit Level dissects wealth versus equality in today’s society and analyzes which has a greater impact on health and social problems. The underlying idea being that societies focused on equality have an overwhelmingly positive effect on their people. Decades of research illustrate why focusing on equality can make a big difference in societies.

6. Canada 150 Woman by Paulina Cameron

Canada 150 Woman highlights female leaders, champions, and luminaries in Canada in celebration of Canada’s 150th year. The book acts as an appreciation of the history of Canadian women through the ages and their the accomplishments. There were so many valuable publications celebrating Canada’s 150. This one is a personal favourite.

7. The Solution Revolution by William D. Eggers and Paul Macmillan

The Solution Revolution explores how public and private are converging to form the Solution Economy. It reveals the fundamentals of this new – globally prevalent – economic and social order. The book is designed to help guide those willing to invest time, knowledge or capital toward sustainable, social progress. A slightly pretentious title, yet a number of interesting insights for public, private, and non-profit partnerships from our neighbours down south.

8. The Power of Impact Investing by Judith Rodin

The Power of Impact Investing discusses investing for the sake of social and environmental gain as a whole. With a new wave of investors in the market, the world’s challenges have the potential to be addressed and overcome through impact investing. If you are new to impact investing, this is a great introductory read by one of the legendary names in philanthropy today.

9. Housing First by Deborah Padgett, Benjamin Henwood, and Sam Tsemberis

Housing First tackles the difficulty of homelessness and housing affordability in today’s society. Backed by extensive research, the book explores alternative methods of housing rather than commonly used traditional and institutional solutions. If you live in Vancouver you probably hear and/or utter the word “housing” often. Here is a thoughtful analysis on just one of the housing models.

10. Expect to Win by Carla Harris

Expect to Win investigates the key tools you need to “win” in business, and in yourself. Harris maintains that by empowering your authentic self, you can reach your true potential and revolutionize your life. Sometimes the “winner” mentality can also be helpful in a non-profit context as well. This book focuses on individual career tips.