Sport, Politics and the Charity Industry

Sport is commonly used by charities and philanthropic organisations as a way of acquiring donors and fundraisers. In this ground-breaking study, Kyle Bunds examines the nexus of sport, politics and the charity industry through an investigation of water development agencies that raise funds in the developed world to build water systems in the developing world. Using innovative auto-ethnographic research methods, this book examines the links between water charities, charity running events and water development projects in the UK, USA, Canada and Africa. By exploring the political economy of philanthropy from a critical perspective, it suggests new ways in which to support and improve the relationships between sport, wider society and the environment. Posing important questions about the potential environmental impact of sport on an international level, this study presents a compelling vision of the future of water charities across the globe. Sport, Politics and the Charity Industry: Running for Water is fascinating reading for all those interested in sport and politics, sports geography, sport and the environment, sports development, or sport and the charity industry.

Kyle Bunds is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at North Carolina State University, USA. His research and teaching examines the connection between sport and the environment generally, and sport, water, and air pollution more specifically. His work, which is primarily grounded in political economic theory, has been published in numerous academic journals, including Sport Management Review; European Sport Management Quarterly; Sport in Society; Critical Studies in Media Communication; Communication, Culture, and Critique; Cultural Studies - Critical Methodologies; Water Resources: IMPACT and the Journal of Sport Management. In addition to his scholarship, Kyle has also guest edited a special issue on political economics for the Journal of Amateur Sport

Preface 1. The Political Economy of Water 2. The Rise of Water Charities 3. As Volunteer: Understanding Participant Attachment to Water Charity 4. As Trainee: Running My Way to Answers? 5. As Participant: Organizing Aid Events 6. As Producer: Representing People in Need 7. Global North Meets Global South in Ethiopia 8. Conclusion