Globalization, philanthropy, and civil society: toward a new political culture in the twenty-first century

This volume examines the intricate relationships between globalization, philanthropy, and civil society, offering a perspective beyond traditional economic interpretations. It explores how philanthropic organizations contribute to and are influenced by global processes, and the evolving role of civil society in shaping a new political culture. The book provides empirical and theoretical insights into the scope and degree of these interconnected themes, highlighting the transformative potential of philanthropy in a globalized world.

Diaspora Philanthropy and Equitable Development in China and India. Edited by Peter F. Geithner, Paula D. Johnson, and Lincoln C. Chen. Cambridge and London …

This piece argues that conventional strategic philanthropy tools often fall short in addressing the complexities of social change. It suggests that funders and grantees struggle to achieve ambitious goals due to a rigid, predictive strategy model. To make greater progress, the article advocates for a shift towards a more nuanced, emergent strategy that aligns with the unpredictable, multifaceted nature of social progress, moving beyond linear causation models and rigid multi-year agendas.

Book Review: Challenges for Nonprofits and Philanthropy: The Courage to Change

This book review critically examines "Challenges for Nonprofits and Philanthropy: The Courage to Change" by Pablo Eisenberg. The reviewer asserts Eisenberg’s central argument: many major foundations and philanthropic endeavors lack courage, are arrogant, irrelevant, and fail to address critical issues of equity and poverty in American society. Eisenberg also critiques nonprofits for lacking conviction and succumbing to funder influence. The book, primarily a collection of essays from The Chronicle of Philanthropy, advocates for higher ethical standards, accountability, and a renewed focus on helping the poor and disadvantaged. The review praises Eisenberg’s fearless critique and aspirational vision for leadership.

Book Review: American Creed: Philanthropy and the Rise of Civil Society, 1700-1865

This book review analyzes "American Creed: Philanthropy and the Rise of Civil Society, 1700-1865" by Kathleen D. McCarthy. The review highlights McCarthy’s selective coverage, focusing on philanthropic and reform groups of unenfranchised women and African Americans who used petition and protest. It discusses how these organizations, unlike Franklin’s associational experiments, often served as "engines of contention," particularly in the struggles against the American Colonization Society and early female activism. The review also notes McCarthy’s tracing of charities funded by capitalist enterprise or government subsidies, and the emerging distinction between two versions of civil society leading to the Civil War.

Accountability and legitimacy in American foundation philanthropy

This chapter examines the pervasive challenge of legitimacy for American foundations, arising from the privileged treatment of private assets in exchange for public good obligations. It delves into political debates surrounding increased regulation, such as payout rates, and contrasts them with European discussions on liberalizing foundation rules. The author argues that legitimacy hinges on balancing foundation autonomy with public service obligations, highlighting accountability as the dominant language for expressing concerns about foundation practices and governance.

Philanthropy in Latin America: Historical Traditions and Current

Sanborn & Portocarrero outline four Latin American philanthropic traditions—colonial charity, immigrant solidarity, corporate giving, and modern foundations—and examine their evolution in civic engagement and nonprofit development. They recommend strengthening institutional frameworks to enhance impact. This historical overview reveals the diverse roots of philanthropy in the region and its role in shaping civil society. The authors’ recommendations highlight the importance of robust legal and organizational structures to maximize the effectiveness of philanthropic efforts, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to social change and development in Latin America.

WOMEN'S BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION

This chapter, titled "WOMEN’S BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION," explores the profound and often understated impact of women in various spheres, particularly within philanthropy and social change. It highlights how women’s unique perspectives, empathetic approaches, and collaborative spirits have historically driven significant societal advancements. The authors argue that women’s contributions extend beyond monetary donations to include extensive volunteering, advocacy, and community building, often addressing overlooked social issues with innovative solutions. The piece aims to reframe the narrative around women’s roles, emphasizing their critical, multifaceted, and often transformative influence on creating a better world.

Education and social change: Themes in the history of American schooling

This paper explores how Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are presented as democratizing philanthropy. It discusses the tension between philanthropy as a democratic expression and a potential threat to democracy. Authors Scott Jackson and Ann Wheatley Canela argue that DAFs, especially those with low minimums like Growfund, can increase racial and socioeconomic diversity in philanthropy. They suggest democratization means expanding access, transforming power dynamics in decision-making, and reconsidering the definition of philanthropy itself.

Deborah McCarthy, eds. 2005. Foundations for Social Change: Critical Perspectives on Philanthropy and Popular Movements

This book, "Data Science for Social Good: Philanthropy and Social Impact in a Complex World," explores the application of data science methodologies to address complex social challenges and enhance philanthropic initiatives. It likely covers how data analysis, machine learning, and other data-driven approaches can be leveraged to optimize social impact, improve decision-making in philanthropy, and develop more effective solutions for societal problems. The publication delves into the potential of data science to foster innovation and create scalable, sustainable interventions in the social sector.

Challenging Grantmakers to strengthen communities

This paper will help philanthropic executives and trustees explore three innovative strategies to achieve greater results with their limited grant dollars. It distills findings from more than 400 pages of research amassed over three years as part of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy's Grantmaking for Community Impact Project. The paper provides solid evidence of the impacts of foundation-funded policy advocacy, community organ- izing and civic engagement. It explains how these strate- gies create stronger communities and why they are suc- cessful.
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