Philanthropy and Society

by David J. Maurrasse

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781351744782
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/14/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	679 KB

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

"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

From the Publisher