The Power and Politics of Immigrant Philanthropy: Charitable Giving and the Making of the New Canadian Establishment by Krishan Mehta A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Social Justice Education University of Toronto © Copyright by Krishan Mehta 2016 The Power and Politics of Immigrant Philanthropy: Charitable Giving and the Making of the New Canadian Establishment Krishan Mehta Doctor of Philosophy Department of Social Justice Education University of Toronto 2016 Abstract This study explores how high net worth immigrants are contributing to the new golden age of philanthropy. Who are the actors behind the transnational philanthropic class? How are local and regional diaspora networks sustained through charitable giving? What role do non-profits, governments, corporations, and the media play in advancing a model minority aesthetic? These questions are brought to life through an analysis of forty in-depth interviews with immigrant philanthropists and volunteers, fundraising executives of large non-profits, and executive directors of settlement charities conducted from 2013 to 2015 in Toronto, Canada. Through these voices, a number of social, political, and economic themes are explored. First, drawing on Jacques Derrida’s writings about hospitality and gift exchange, I consider how the philanthropic actions of elite immigrants challenge the rules of engagement between the old and new establishments. Second, I explore how the making of a philanthropic diaspora is a translocal process that reinforces a growing divide between have and have not charities. Finally, I look at the role of high net worth immigrants in the development of a philanthropic state within the context of financialization. Ultimately, this study articulates how diaspora philanthropy is entering a new evolutionary phase that is strategically incorporating the rhetorics of diversity and inclusion, philanthrocapitalist models of investing, and a variety of domestic and global initiatives aimed at reconciling politics, giving, and the expansionist logic of advanced capitalism. Moreover, this study suggests that large charities uniquely offer elite diasporas with an opportunity to bundle their humanitarian, business, and community interests through strategic ii investments while advancing macro-level political and economic agendas that further stratify the charitable sector in Canada. iii Acknowledgments I have done some major growing up throughout this PhD journey and I would like to take a moment to give a hat tip to all those who were there for this leg. I hope many of these folks will continue to join me on the next few treks too. When I told people “in the know” about my thesis committee, I would often hear, “Wow, these are serious academic heavy hitters. How did you get so lucky?” That sure is the truth. To my supervisor, Rinaldo Walcott: you are an incredible thinker and activist. Thank you for giving me a good mix of independence, guidance, and support. It was exactly what I needed to see this project through to the end. Alissa Trotz: thank you for asking the right questions and for getting me to stretch my ideas and refine my lens (at the same time). Jamie Magnusson: thank you for being so thoughtful and for introducing me to big bad world of financialization! All three of you had me consider new ideas, theories, and concepts that became the bedrock of this study – and I am much better for it. I also want to thank my internal examiner, Peter Sawchuk, and external examiner, Linsey McGoey, for providing expert insights and suggesting how I might apply this study after graduation. I look forward to the possibility of continuing our discussion. Over the years, I have come across some incredibly generous donors, volunteers, and charitable leaders who helped shape this study. A huge and hearty thank you to all of the participants of this project. I wish I could name you individually here because each of you provided a special perspective on the power and politics of charitable giving. You shattered my assumptions, gave me the “real goods,” and got me to take a harder look at the practice of fundraising, giving, and exchange. Expect a call from me to say thanks. I was fortunate to have the financial support of three institutions throughout my studies. Frankly, I wouldn’t have been able to do this without resounding enthusiasm for my topic from my colleagues at the University of Toronto, Seneca College, and Ryerson University. From U of iv T, I am particularly grateful to my various “bosses,” namely Rivi Frankle, Avon MacFarlane, David Clandfield, Rick Halpern, and Shahrzad Mojab. This project began with a conversation I had with Avon, who then hauled me into Rivi’s office for a chat about how we need to learn more from these emerging donor groups. Pan to the next scene, I was enrolled in my first doctoral course! From Seneca, I am indebted to Daniel Atlin for being a terrific mentor and friend (and for introducing me to the world of gardening). And from Ryerson, I want to thank Rivi (again!) and Adam Kahan for helping me see this project through to the end and for giving me time to finish up. I also want to thank Cathy Mann, who hired me to teach a course at Ryerson where I could informally test some of my ideas in the classroom. In 2009, I started volunteering with the Association of Fundraising Professionals and, over the years, have made many important and lasting friendships with some outstanding professionals there. Also, after fifteen years in the “industry,” I have made some lifelong friendships with so many amazing donors, volunteers, and community leaders. A drumroll to these pals with whom I have had many substantive discussions about this topic: Rona Abramovitch, Mide Akerewusi, Ken Aucoin, Navdeep Bains, Olimpia Boido, Ryan Churchill, Katie Colvin, Jody Dailey, Jon Dellandrea, Leah Eustace, Patrick Feeley, Sara Franca, Ted Garrard, Emmanuelle Gattuso, Shira Gellman, Hamlin Grange, Darrell Gregersen, Lori Gusdorf, Kathy Hay, Suzanne Heft, Todd Hogan, John Honderich, Nancy Horvath, Susan Horvath, Michelle Hounslow, Anna Hubert, Aditya Jha, Patrick Johnston, Anthony Keating, David Kinahan, Rickesh Lakhani, Danielle Lemieux, Emma Lewzey, Tania Little, Corey Long, Ana Lopes, Cathy Mann, Cathy Marostica, Sabi Marwah, Ken Mayhew, Susan Mullin, Tony Myers, Nicholas Offord, Isaac Olowolafe, Justin Poy, Cynthia Quigley, Brenda Registe, Celeste Richards, Caroline Riseboro, Shannon Robertson, Aarti Sethi, Jessie Sitnick, Angela Steinmann, v Susan Storey, Connie Sugiyama, Muneeb Syed, Barbara Track, Sahar Vermezyari, Andrew Watt, Tan-Ling Yeung, and Aleksandar Zakonovic. In 2008, my father passed away after a short and brave battle with cancer. I took almost three years off from my studies to contend with his sickness, to face the horror of loss, and to start rebuilding this world without him. Since he died, I would occasionally daydream about seeing him in the audience at my graduation, joyfully listening to the honorary doctorate speaker say something inspirational. He loved intellectual orations and the sense of occasion. That day is near again and I will be looking for his shiny, bald head in the crowd once more. I miss him so much. Mom, thanks for always asking, “Kyareh thesis finish kurseh?” You are so caring and giving of yourself, especially to your kids and family. We have been through a lot over the years, and I am particularly proud of how you have come to accept me and my ways. That takes some serious guts! And now that the thesis is done, I am coming over for some bateta ne rotli, channa masala, and raitu. Seriously though, I love you very, very much. Bina, I am without words when it comes to describing you and the support you have given me – since the day I was born! I will always look up to you and appreciate everything about you. You are the rock of our family and a constant source of friendship, mentorship, and love. I truly cannot imagine this world without you. Kevin, who doesn’t admire you? You are the best brother-in-law, a terrific scholar, and the nicest nice guy in the world. A special thanks goes to you for not freaking out when Bina voluntold you to read drafts of my chapters! And thanks for your sound advice as I prepared for the defense. You are so awesome. Nikesh and Prem, thanks for loving Michael and me so much and for being the sweetest nephews EVER. I also want to give a special shout out to the newest members of my family – Stan, Hanne, Peter, Louise, Thomas, and Oliver – who welcomed me vi with open arms, cared about my thesis writing (especially you, Stan), and delightfully worked around my vegetarianism at your Scandinavian meat fests. I love all of you guys so much. As a “flex-time” student, I only had a few PhD friends who I regularly kvetched with. I want to thank Robert Kohls for marathon study sessions at Robarts followed by dosas and chai at Udupi Palace. Thank you as well to Robert for giving me his “fresh eyes” on this thesis – cover to cover! Rochelle Côté, thanks for the many study sessions along with kitcheree and crushed potato chips. And a shout out to Hillina Seife for going on site visits with me to random study spots in Toronto where we’d end up discussing our topics (well, kinda sorta). Watch out folks: these are three brainiacs who are going to rock the world of academia. I am lucky to have many others friends who would patiently wait for me outside of the library, call just to make sure I am still alive, and agree to listen to me read pages of my dissertation aloud (and pretend to care about Derrida’s theory of hospitality).