Strategic philanthropy's investment in public systems: A framework for intervention

Abstract

AbstractThis paper explores the nature of philanthropic intervention in the infrastructure for service and policy development. It offers a comprehensive review of the literature associated with a style of philanthropy that, characterized as ‘strategic’ in orientation, is accompanied by a set of goals for creating impact and adopts a public policy focus. Such approaches are grounded in the unique roles adopted by private foundations in society; alongside their nebulous place as stakeholders in the systems and services occupied by private and public agencies. Firstly, the authors undertake a comprehensive literature review in order to discern what elements of strategic philanthropy have resonance for funders operating with a public policy systems change orientation. From the findings they develop a framework for understanding strategic engagement in public systems that identifies areas of intervention where foundations have the greatest capacity for effectiveness based on their role identification in policy engagement, social innovation or convening. Understanding these three key points of intervention can be used in management and practice to inform the pathways for the adoption of goals among different stakeholders operating with diverse values, purposes and constraints.