Foundations and the Discourse of Philanthropy

This research employs discourse analysis to examine foundation documents, revealing that foundations are not primarily invested in maintaining the sociopolitical order, but rather in preserving and promoting philanthropy’s societal role. It critiques historical interpretations and shows that while some foundations express assimilationist or non-racist ideas, others demonstrate anti-racist approaches by addressing systemic racism. The study highlights how corporate foundations, more than family or community foundations, tend to convey racist messages and focus solely on funding rather than organizational change.