Roles of local foundations in German community-based initiatives: Devolving criticism of philanthropy to the local?

Abstract

This article explores perceptions of local philanthropic foundations situated in community-based initiative (CBI) policies that aim to achieve educational goals through the establishment of collaborative connections between schools and multiple local actors. Although roles of philanthropy in public education are controversial, scholars have yet to rigorously consider the specific local context of CBIs. We aim to help fill this research gap by investigating the main collective orientations that underlie actions of local foundations in German CBIs. Based on semi-structured interviews with chairpersons in a south German municipality, we examine patterns of experience and attitude through application of the documentary method. The reconstructed collective orientations allow for the identification of four primary roles of philanthropy in CBIs. Notably, the addition of an advocacy role relocates a phenomenon that was previously identified as a disruptive element at a (supra -)national level. These roles suggest potential for philanthropy to engage in local education Education Policy Analysis Archives Vol. 26 No. 139 2 policy-making. As such, they pose pressing questions that need to be addressed by public authorities and regulators. Las fundaciones locales en iniciativas comunitarias basadas en Alemania: ¿Devolviendo críticas a la filantropía para el lugar?Resumen: Este artículo explora las percepciones de fundaciones filantrópicas locales situadas en políticas de iniciativa comunitaria (CBI) que buscan alcanzar objetivos educativos a través del establecimiento de conexiones colaborativas entre escuelas y múltiples actores locales. Aunque los papeles de filantropía en la educación pública son controvertidos, los estudiosos todavía necesitan considerar rigurosamente el contexto local específico de los CBI. Nuestro objetivo es ayudar a llenar esa brecha de investigación, investigando las principales orientaciones colectivas que fundamentan las acciones de las fundaciones locales en los CBIs alemanes. Con base en entrevistas semiestructuradas con presidentes de un municipio del sur de Alemania, examinamos patrones de experiencia y actitud a través de la aplicación del método documental. Las orientaciones colectivas reconstruidas permiten la identificación de cuatro papeles principales de la filantropía en los CBI. Por supuesto, el aumento de un papel de abogacía se refiere a un fenómeno que fue anteriormente identificado como un elemento disruptivo en un nivel (supra) nacional. Estas funciones sugieren potencial para que la filantropía se involucra en la formulación de políticas educativas locales. Como tal, plantean cuestiones urgentes que necesitan ser abordadas por las autoridades públicas y reguladores. Palabras-clave: fundaciones filantrópicas; funciones institucionales; educación comunitaria; desarrollo comunitario; política administrativa Das fundações locais em iniciativas comunitárias baseadas na Alemanha: Devolvendo críticas à filantropia para o local?Resumo: Este artigo explora as percepções de fundações filant...

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