Philanthropy and the Social Economy: Blueprint 2017

Abstract

Their breadth of knowledge pushed my thinking and their editorial guidance clarified some of my text. I am responsible for all mistakes, and, as on Twitter, the opinions are mine.

Questioning Stakeholder Legitimacy: A Philanthropic Accountability Model

“…In particular, this raises ethical, philosophical and moral implications regarding the work of foundations that are engaging in and creating public policy. Steps toward greater transparency and accountability require open access to meaningful, accurate and up-to-date data (Bernholz, 2014;Noveck and Goroff, 2013). More than access to this data, the 990PF should be amended so that foundations can report dollar contributions for public policy initiatives -separate from grantmaking and other contributions.…”

“We Expected a Revolution and Got a Slow Burn”: Microfoundations of Institutional Change in the Community Foundation Field

“…The community members that decided how to identify and prioritize community needs in fund-allocation decisions often belonged to the same elite ranks of local leaders (Colinvaux, 2018;Ellwood, 2019;Hammack, 1989). Scholars and practitioners have described "donor relations, investment, grantmaking, and administration" (Easterling, 2011, p. 82) as the traditional focus of CFs (Ballard, 2007;Bernholz et al, 2005;Daly, 2008;Esposito & Besana, 2018;Graddy & Morgan, 2006;Hammack, 1989;Wu, 2021;Ylvisaker, 1989). Drawing on Easterling (2011), and Mazany and Perry (2013, p. 32), we refer to this traditional top-down approach to community betterment through fundraising and grantmaking as the stewardship model.…”

“…The term "community leadership" first appeared in the literature around 1990 (Hammack, 1989). Despite their important historical legacy (Hammack, 1989), philanthropy thought leaders are increasingly challenging the sustainability of the stewardship model (Bernholz et al, 2005;Carson, 2014;CFLeads/Council on Foundations, 2009;Mazany & Perry, 2013). They suggested that the field was at a tipping point (Richard, 2014) as CFs confronted significant threats to their growth and legitimacy including demographic shifts, economic restructuring, and growing competition from commercial funds and other nonprofits.…”

“…For two decades, thought leaders have cautioned that place-based philanthropy may be at a tipping point at which community philanthropic organizations must reshape themselves to remain viable (Bernholz et al, 2005;Richard, 2014). Demographic shifts, economic restructuring, the rise of online-giving platforms, and growing competition threaten traditional models of community philanthropy.…”

“…Amid these contextual changes, Carson (2014, p. 43) suggests that community foundations (CFs) are "confronting the most significant external threats to their continued growth and future existence that they have ever faced." In 2007, philanthropy leaders and dozens of CFs defined "community leadership" as a path forward for the field (Bernholz et al, 2005;Richard, 2014). Despite these sober warnings and pressure from field leaders and funders, empirical studies provide mixed support that the field has moved (or is moving) to community leadership.…”