European University Institute Library

A versatile American institution, the changing ideals and realities of philanthropic foundations, David C. Hammack and Helmut K. Anheier

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 217-248) and indexes

illustrations

index present

non fiction

A versatile American institution

bibliography

729346520

David C. Hammack and Helmut K. Anheier

the changing ideals and realities of philanthropic foundations

"America's grantmaking foundations have grown rapidly over the course of recent decades, even in the face of financial and economic crises. Foundations have a great deal of freedom, enjoy widespread legitimacy, and wield considerable influence. In this book, David Hammack and Helmut Anheier follow up their edited volume, American Foundations, with a comprehensive historical account of what American foundations have done with that independence and power. While philanthropic foundations play important roles in other parts of the world, the U.S. sector stands out as exceptional. Nowhere else are they so numerous, prominent, or autonomous. What have been the main contributions of philanthropic foundations to American society? And what might the future hold for them? A Versatile American Institution considers foundations in a new way. Previous accounts typically focused narrowly on their organization, donors, and leaders, and their intentions - but not on the outcome of philanthropy. Rather than looking at foundations in a vacuum, Hammack and Anheier consider their roles and contributions in the context of their times and their economic and political circumstances"--provided by publisher

Foundations in the United States -- Remarkable nineteenth-century foundations -- The classic institution-building period, 1900-50 -- After World War II: readjustment and redefinition -- Variety and relevance: American foundations at the start of the twenty-first century