The Business of Changing the World by Raj Kumar - Global Aid & Philanthropy - Non Fiction - Paperback

Details. Condition: BRAND NEW. Format: Paperback. ISBN: 9780807028407. Publisher: Beacon Press. Overview. The Business of Changing the World is an incisive, highly readable account of how philanthropy and global aid are being transformed. Raj Kumar, founding president and editor in chief of Devex, draws on two decades of reporting to explain why billionaires, tech disrupters, and social entrepreneurs are reshaping an industry once dominated by governments and large institutions. It's essential reading for anyone interested in international development, social impact, or the future of charitable giving.. About the Book. For decades, "old aid" meant large, top-down programmes from agencies like USAID and the World Bank, measured more by intentions than results. In this book, Raj Kumar charts the rise of a more entrepreneurial model of giving, driven by data, accountability, and innovation. He profiles major foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative alongside disruptive startups reshaping how aid reaches people on the ground. Hello Tractor, an Uber-style app connecting Nigerian farmers with affordable machinery, and GiveDirectly, which transfers donor funds straight to recipients' phones, are held up as examples of scalable, tech-enabled solutions that treat aid recipients as partners rather than passive beneficiaries. Kumar argues this shift towards a business-minded, outcomes-focused approach to philanthropy could make a meaningful dent in extreme poverty, provided funders, governments, and citizens embrace new ways of measuring impact. The book is not a dry policy text; it is written in an accessible, narrative style blending reporting, interviews, and case studies. Kumar also tackles the controversies around billionaire philanthropy, asking hard questions about accountability while making the case that citizens, voters, and consumers all have a role to play.. Clear, accessible analysis — written for both newcomers