Dimple Abichandani: Interviewing Andrew (Carnegie) to Uncover What’s Wrong with Philanthropy – and how to fix it

On this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, host Kristine Michie welcomes Dimple Abichandani, a seasoned advocate and new author (her book, A New Era of Philanthropy, is out this week!), for a deep and energizing conversation. Together, they explore how philanthropy must evolve for a just future, weaving in ancestral wisdom, collective action, and moral imagination. Listeners will find a rich blend of history, hope, and actionable inspiration for how joy, play, and transparency can transform how we show up for systemic change. If you’ve been yearning for a fresh, courageous take on philanthropy, this conversation will fuel your spirit. You’ll even hear about how Dimple “interviewed” Andrew Carnegie about the origins of US philanthropy.

Key Takeaways:

• Philanthropy must evolve from isolated, individualistic actions toward collective strategies that recognize the interconnectedness of resources, responsibility, and community power.
• Today's urgent crises require philanthropy to move beyond the old goal of doing “some good” and instead pursue bold, systemic transformations that maximize justice and sustainability.
• Transparency in grantmaking, decision-making, and wealth distribution is essential to dismantling the "black box" mystery that surrounds philanthropy. 
• Leaders must intentionally build cultures of joy, play, and embodiment within philanthropy to prevent burnout, spark creativity, and invite fuller participation in transformational change.
• Grantmaking institutions must streamline application processes and prioritize ease and dignity for applicants to genuinely practice trust-based philanthropy and reduce systemic burdens.
• Future-oriented philanthropy demands a commitment to reimagine and redesign systems, not simply to patch over injustices but to create entirely new structures rooted in equity.
• Ancestral values of care, mutual responsibility, and moral imagination must inform modern philanthropy if we are to navigate the complex challenges of climate change, authoritarianism, and inequality.

"Joy to me is the connection to creativity. It's how we open up space for something that doesn't or wouldn't exist otherwise." — Dimple Abichandani

"We only have a democracy if we're all a part of it, if everybody takes responsibility for it." — Dimple Abichandani

Episode References: 

Gospel of Wealth by Andrew Carnegie: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}