A Hedgehog Moment: The Roles and Pitfalls of Strategic Philanthropy for Family Foundations and Donors: Book Review

  • 1 January 1970
  • Media Article
  • Publisher : Bessemer Trust
Add to favourites
Add to favourites
My favourites
(Manage fav)
19817
(View all)
This book review discusses the growth of foundations, noting that from 200 in 1930 with $1 billion in assets, they grew to nearly 76,000 by 2010 with $565 billion in assets and $46 billion in annual giving. It reflects on "strategic philanthropy" for family foundations and donors, acknowledging its potential while cautioning against its complexities. The review emphasizes the importance of clear values, sensitivity to consequences, and attention to implementation in philanthropic endeavors, advocating for a nuanced understanding of its effectiveness beyond mere strategic assertion.

Author(s) :

CH Hamilton

Yes

Get in touch with authors

No ratings yet

Rate this article

Yes

Key topics

Social Justice, Philanthropy and Human Rights

Also found in

Share

Join Our Newsletter

Explore More Articles

Paper / Report
  • 27 November 2025

Funders Perspectives on Data Maturity of Social Purpose Organisations in India

Funders’ Perspectives on Data Maturity of Social Purpose Organisations in India is an addendum to the State of the Sector Report published by ISDM CDSSI. It explores how funders view data-driven decision-making in India’s social sector. The insights in this report come from a roundtable discussion, that was held with 19 representatives, from CSRs, family foundations, philanthropic investors, outcome-based funders, and thought leaders. It shows that data maturity is a sector-wide challenge that requires collaboration, trust, and alignment between funders, SPOs, governments, and communities.
Case Study
  • 16 October 2025

Rooted in Trust, Rising Together

In one of Chennai’s oldest urban settlements, over 3,000 families navigate daily challenges marked by poverty, addiction, and instability. Many children return from school to difficult home environments with limited support. Amidst this, one young woman chose to respond— not with sympathy, but with sustained action. Although Vedika was overjoyed, she was left overwhelmed by the amount of work she was putting in. Fundraising, curriculum, operations, team building, trauma counselling—she was doing everything alone. There was no advisory board. No formal governance structure. Just urgency, heart, and a mounting emotional toll on her.
Event Report
  • 1 April 2024

Pune and Mumbai Summary Report: Systems Convening for Philanthropy for Inclusive Development

This report summarises insights from two systems thinking convenings held in Pune and Mumbai in April 2024. Organised by CPID at ISDM, the convenings engaged stakeholders to reflect on challenges and systemic traps in Indian philanthropy, and proposed collaborative, inclusive approaches for sustainable development.
Event Report
  • 1 November 2024

Summary Report: Systems Convening for Philanthropy for Inclusive Development.

This report summarises the first systems convening held by CPID at ISDM in September 2023, where funders, SPOs, and PSOs used systems thinking to reflect on philanthropic dilemmas in India. Themes include trust-based philanthropy, flexibility in funding, community participation, and the use of the Iceberg Model to uncover behavioural, institutional, and belief system barriers.
We use essential and analytics cookies to operate this website and understand how visitors interact with it. As this site also functions as a login identity provider (IDP) for other ISDM portals, some cookies are necessary to enable secure authentication. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.
Accept & Continue