A comprehensive introduction to the field of philanthropy, Philanthropy and Society challenges the reader to think deeply about the role of philanthropic institutions in shaping and bettering the communities they serve and civil society as a whole.
While all agree that the function of philanthropic organizations is to maximize the impact of grant making, there is little consensus on how to do that. This book focuses on two trends that have emerged: strategic philanthropy and increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in philanthropy. Amidst persistent societal inequities, the proliferation of philanthropy leaves one wondering about the potential of this expanding industry to influence social change as well as include constituents beyond donors and their staff. The book offers several case studies of different types of foundations from around the world that demonstrate several tactics used to develop plans that are both strategic and inclusive.
Upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students of philanthropy, as well as professionals, will come away from this book with a more nuanced and practical sense of the challenging questions the field of philanthropy faces, and the different ways they can be tackled.
Acknowledgments
Foreword
By Colin Greer, President, New World Foundation
Introduction
Chapter 1 The State of Philanthropy
The Current Landscape of Philanthropy
Broader trends in the field
Key issues facing different types of foundations
Strategic philanthropy
Inclusion and Strategy
References
Chapter 2 Private Foundations Meyer Memorial Trust
Background on the Foundation
Considerations for Private Foundations
Strategy – the essence of the foundation’s strategy
How Inclusion informs Strategy Programmatically
How Inclusion informs Strategy Institutionally
Progress – What has been the impact of these approaches? How do they measure progress?
Learning
Direction and Conclusions
References
Chapter 3 Philanthropy in Europe LankellyChase Foundation
Background on the Foundation
Considerations for U.K. Philanthropy
Strategy – the essence of the foundation’s strategy
Commitment to Equity and Inclusion – the foundation’s overall commitment to inclusion
Manifestations of Commitment (include techniques and practices)
How Inclusion informs Strategy Programmatically
How Inclusion informs Strategy Institutionally
Progress and Learning
Direction and Conclusions
References
Chapter 4 Community Foundations
Background on the San Francisco Foundation
Considerations for Community Foundations
The Essence of the San Francisco Foundation’s Strategy
The Foundation’s Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
Manifestations of Commitment (include techniques and practices)
How Inclusion informs Strategy Programmatically
How Inclusion informs Strategy Institutionally
Progress – What has been the impact of these approaches? How do they measure progress?
Conclusions and Lessons Learned (including implications for the particular type of foundation)
References:
Chapter 5 Global Philanthropy
Background on the Conrad Hilton Foundation
International Strategy and SDG Commitment
Strategic Commitment to Equity and Inclusion and Operational Structures
Institutionalization and Manifestations of International Development Commitment
International Programming in Africa
Measuring, Assessing Impact and Challenges in the Future
References:
Chapter 6 Family Philanthropy
Background on the Foundation – Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
Considerations for the particular Type of Foundation (i.e. issues facing family foundations, indigenous foundations, etc.)
Strategy – the essence of the foundation’s strategy
Commitment to Equity and Inclusion – the foundation’s overall commitment to inclusion
Manifestations of Commitment (include techniques and practices)
How Inclusion informs Strategy Programmatically
How Inclusion informs Strategy Institutionally
Progress – What has been the impact of these approaches? How do they measure progress?
Conclusions, Lessons, and Directions
References
Chapter 7 Indigenous African Philanthropy
Background on the Foundation – TrustAfrica
Considerations for particular types of Foundation (i.e. issues facing family foundations, indigenous foundations, etc.)
Strategy – the essence of the foundation’s strategy
Commitment to Equity and Inclusion – the foundation’s overall commitment to inclusion
Manifestations of Commitment (include techniques and practices)
How Inclusion informs Strategy Programmatically
How Inclusion informs Strategy Institutionally
Progress – What has been the impact of these approaches? How do they measure progress?
Learning – What has the foundation learned from their approaches? How have they used learning to inform institutional and programmatic change?
Direction – What are the foundation’s future intentions?
Conclusions and Lessons Learned (including implications for the particular type of foundation that TrustAfrica is)
References
Chapter 8 Lessons from Practice
Inclusively Strategic
Community Engagement
Changing Staff Roles
Participatory Grantmaking
Networks
Long Term Support
Board Composition
Staff Composition
Internal Policies
Common Themes
Pursuing Comprehensive Institutional Change
Recognizing the Significance of Place
Confronting Power Dynamics
Breaking with Tradition
Embracing Risk and Uncertainty
Transcending Grantmaking
Recognizing the Journey
What We Can Learn from These Foundations
References
Chapter 9 Conclusions
The Nonprofit Sector, Philanthropy, and Society
Creating Philanthropy’s Responsibility to Society
Greater Awareness in Philanthropy
From Awareness to Practice
Expanding the Scale of Inclusive Practice
Directions for Philanthropy
References
Index
Biography
David J. Maurrasse, Ph.D., is the Founder & President of Marga Incorporated as well as Research Scholar at the Earth Institute at Columbia University and Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.
"Maurrasse guides the reader through a deep examination of philanthropy, its history, evolution and role in society. He challenges us to answer questions regarding philanthropy's impact, value and relevance; particularly given the demographic shifts in the country as well as the call for diversity, equity and inclusion. We learn through case studies, about the landscape of philanthropy in America and internationally, in the U.K., Africa and global philanthropy efforts by American philanthropy. Ultimately, he elegantly reminds us of philanthropy's responsibility to listen and learn from the communities in which serves, and its inextricable link to the nonprofit sector, if it is to be an agent of change." –Janine Lee, President and CEO, Southeastern Council of Foundations
"The issue of inclusive philanthropy is a vital one for funders today, so David Maurrasse’s book Philanthropy and Society comes at a particularly opportune moment for our field. If funders wants to be as effective as possible in reducing the disparities we see today in nearly every aspect of individual and community well-being, it must include the perspectives, voices and participation of the people who are the beneficiaries of their philanthropic efforts. Foundations are always hungry for good examples of how their peers are addressing inclusion in their work, so I’m pleased that this book is centered on foundation case studies. Philanthropy and Society is a welcome addition to the body of work on how our field can get better at addressing diversity, equity and inclusion in philanthropy." –David Biemesderfer, President & CEO, United Philanthropy Forum
"An expert insider’s analysis of how philanthropies are shaping our efforts to make the world a better place and how they can be more inclusive, representative and effective in that quest. The case studies are diverse in every way, compellingly and, taken together, provide a strategy to harness the potential to make doing good better. Makes a strong argument for engagement, place-based solutions, strategic planning, cross-sector partnerships. A GREAT book." –Bill Eimicke, Professor in the Practice of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University and co-author of Social Value Investing
