Private Philanthropy Research Articles

Creating a National Identity through Agricultural Education in Mandatory Palestine

Formation of agricultural education in high schools was a milestone in the early 20th-century history of Zionist education, and in the Jewish society in Mandatory Palestine in general. Agricultural education was a means of changing the character of the Jewish people by imparting agricultural knowledge and training. Candidates came from agricultural settlements, but mainly – and this was its uniqueness – they also came from the towns. In addition, agricultural education provided a framework for absorbing immigrant youth. This educational framework was, among other things, ideological because those who joined it were usually motivated by a desire to change the character of the Jewish society, return to the land and work it. The cost of funding agricultural schools was high for the local Jewish community, and therefore these schools remained dependent on private initiative and philanthropy. In spite of the widespread ideological support, not many students actually took part in agricultural education due to the high cost of tuition on the one hand, and the need to help support their own families on the other. It can also be said that during this period, parents who had the means to provide their children with higher education, favoured the “Gymnasium” high school model, which could lead to them engaging in other professions.

The austerity governance of Baltimore’s neighborhoods: “The conversation may have changed but the systems aren’t changing”

ABSTRACTThe governance of neighborhood redevelopment and revitalization in Baltimore demonstrates the normalization of the logics and practices of austerity governance and the concomitant challenge of governance transformation. Analysis of tiers of governance activity refines understanding of the state–society relationships of austerity governance, characterized by the local state’s absence with the exception of its basic function of (over)policing of the most marginalized. The elites governing Baltimore are corporate developers, major “ed and med” anchor institutions, and nationally operating private philanthropies, with a mix of other nonprofit organizations, anchor institutions, and philanthropies playing roles at the middle and lower tiers. Citizens are excluded from these opaque governance arrangements. Mainstream regime analysis argues for incremental change in response to challenges such as that posed by the uprising in the city in 2015. But the analysis highlights that the city’s iniquitous governance requires the ideological challenge posited by urban governance theory.

Balancing science and political economy: Tobacco control and global health

Background: Global tobacco control is a major public health issue, as smoking-related disease burden remains high worldwide. The World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO) are the driving forces in global tobacco control. However, little research has focused on their development, financing, decision-making, and accountability structures. Methods: We used two strategies to identify the development and structure of global tobacco control initiatives. First, we reviewed the published literature through electronic databases. Second, we conducted grey literature searching. Results: We identified four periods in the Bank’s involvement in global tobacco control, from creation of the evidence base in the 1990s to the implementation of tax reforms. We identified three phases in the WHO’s efforts, from its early recognition of the link between tobacco and health risks in the 1970s to its implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Both organisations are financed by a handful of private philanthropies, and face similar risks for effective tobacco control: reduced accountability and resource mobilisation, poor decision-making authority due to specific donor influence, and difficulty in monitoring and evaluation. Conclusions: Continued attention should be paid not only to the primary health-related outcomes of tobacco use, but also to the decision-making and financing structures to promote tobacco control activities.

Big money and its influence on K-12 education: An interview with Sarah Reckhow

Kappan’s editor talks with Michigan State University’s Sarah Reckhow about her research into the ways wealthy private philanthropies have influenced K-12 education in recent years. As Reckhow explains, not only have Gates, Broad, Walton, and other big foundations spent unprecedented amounts of money to support their favored reform strategies — such as expanding the charter school sector, raising academic standards, and evaluating teachers’ effectiveness — but they’ve maximized their influence by coordinating their messages, funneling their money to specific states and districts, pushing for changes in state and federal policy, and (most recently) contributing to local school board candidates.

Balancing science and political economy: Tobacco control and global health.

Background: Global tobacco control is a major public health issue, as smoking-related disease burden remains high worldwide. The World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO) are the driving forces in global tobacco control. However, little research has focused on their development, financing, decision-making, and accountability structures. Methods: We used two strategies to identify the development and structure of global tobacco control initiatives. First, we reviewed the published literature through electronic databases. Second, we conducted grey literature searching. Results: We identified four periods in the Bank's involvement in global tobacco control, from creation of the evidence base in the 1990s to the implementation of tax reforms. We identified three phases in the WHO's efforts, from its early recognition of the link between tobacco and health risks in the 1970s to its implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Both organisations are financed by a handful of private philanthropies, and face similar risks for effective tobacco control: reduced accountability and resource mobilisation, poor decision-making authority due to specific donor influence, and difficulty in monitoring and evaluation. Conclusions: Continued attention should be paid not only to the primary health-related outcomes of tobacco use, but also to the decision-making and financing structures to promote tobacco control activities.

THE RELIGIOUS FACTOR INFLUENCING ON CHARITY AND PHILANTHROPY IN THE VLADIMIR, KOSTROMA AND YAROSLAVL PROVINCES(The Second Half of the 19th — Beginning of the 20th Century)

The author examines the features of influence of the religious factor on the development of private philanthropy and patronage of art in the second half of the 19th — early 20th century by the example of the Vladimir, Kostroma and Yaroslavl Provin­ces. Gui­ded by the Orthodox ethical principles and va­lues system, entrepreneurs, often coming from the Old Believer environment, paid special attention to phi­lanthropic activities. They provided substantial funds for social protection of the workers of their enterpri­ses and the po­pulation of the provinces: construction and maintenance of hospitals, kindergartens and orphana­ges, homes for the elderly, schools and colleges, libra­ries, almshou­ses. The history of the Vladimir, Kostroma and Yaroslavl Provinces includes the activities of the following philanthropists: the brothers P.M. Tretyakov and S.M. Tretyakov, the Morozovs, Gorbunovs, Maltsovs (Yu.S. Nechaev-Maltsov), Zotovs, Vakhrameevs, Karzinkins, and others. The article considers the charitable activities of the Old Believer of the Kostroma Province G.K. Gorbunov. His charitable work was connected with the improvement of Sudislavl (he financed the construction of the water supply system, asylum for the mentally ill people, city magistrate buildings and the reconstruction of the Transfiguration Cathedral of Sudislavl). The Maltsov dynasty was among the most prominent philanthropists of the Vladimir Pro­vince. In the Yaroslavl Province, almshouses and hostels were the most common type of charitable institutions, such as the almshouse of the Pastukhovs, the almshouse of A.I. Vakhrameev, the almshouse of M.M. Vakhrameeva, the Nicholas Orphanage for children of both sexes (Uglich, Yaroslavl Province), the Educational Orphanage (opened at the expense of the widow A.G. Baskakova and the merchant N.I. Tyumenev).

A Foundation Funding Frontier

A Foundation Funding Frontier

Superstars in the making? The broad effects of interdisciplinary centers

Many universities have developed large-scale interdisciplinary research centers to address societal challenges and to attract the attention of private philanthropists and federal agencies. However, prior studies have mostly shown that interdisciplinary centers relate to a narrow band of outcomes such as publishing and grants. Therefore, we shift attention to include outcomes that have been the centers mandate to influence − namely outreach to the media and private industry, as well as broader research endeavors and securing external funding. Using data covering Stanford University between 1993 and 2014, we study if being weakly and strongly affiliated with interdisciplinary centers in one year relates to and increases (1) knowledge production (publications, grants and inventions), (2) instruction (numbers of students taught, PhDs and postdocs advised), (3) intellectual prominence (media mentions, awards won and centrality within the larger collaboration network), and (4) the acquisition of various sources of funding in the next year. Our results indicate that interdisciplinary centers select productive faculty and increase their activity on a broad range of outcomes further, and in ways greater than departments and traditional interdisciplinary memberships, such as courtesy and joint appointments.

Elite Giving in Ukraine: State Relations and Legitimacy

Since the late 1990’s, wealthy businessmen-politicians in Ukraine have been initiating private philanthropy foundations. This article explores the purpos- es these giving organizations serve. The empirical basis of the study consists of forty-six original interviews, of which most were with the donors, directors, and project managers of ten selected foundations. Additional interviews with ex- perts and other businessmen-donors and giving organizations provide important viewpoints as well as details on the institutional framework within which the giving organizations exist. The article shows how the institutionalization of elite giving in Ukraine can be interpreted as a mix of compensating for state failure in order to benefit society, a legitimization strategy of the wealthy elite, and an instrument for state actors to influence business.

Dancing to the top: How collective action revitalized arts education in Boston

ABSTRACTIn 2009, a group of local foundations, the school district, arts organizations, and the Mayor's Office launched the Boston Public Schools Arts Education Initiative (BPS-AE)—a multiyear, citywide, public–private initiative aimed at increasing BPS students' access to in-school arts education. Managed by a strong local intermediary with deep experience in education, this initiative used several complementary, overlaid strategies: direct service, system building, and community engagement—all of which were supported by a philanthropic collaborative of local and national funders. Today, 17,000 more BPS students receive arts education; nearly 130 additional full-time certified arts teachers have been hired; and district spending on arts has risen to $26 million annually, compared to $15 million in 2009. There is also growing demand from the larger community for more and better arts education. In 2015, BPS-AE produced a case study that provides a more detailed explication of the multitiered strategy it used to achieve these results. The study offers recommendations as to how other cities can involve diverse key constituencies to advance this kind of initiative, create leadership structures that support effective citywide collaboration, engage community stakeholders in participatory planning processes, leverage private philanthropy to boost public funding, and develop a centralized support system for school principals and arts teachers.

Microelectrode implantation in motor cortex causes fine motor deficit: Implications on potential considerations to Brain Computer Interfacing and Human Augmentation

Intracortical microelectrodes have shown great success in enabling locked-in patients to interact with computers, robotic limbs, and their own electrically driven limbs. The recent advances have inspired world-wide enthusiasm resulting in billions of dollars invested in federal and industrial sponsorships to understanding the brain for rehabilitative applications. Additionally, private philanthropists have also demonstrated excitement in the field by investing in the use of brain interfacing technologies as a means to human augmentation. While the promise of incredible technologies is real, caution must be taken as implications regarding optimal performance and unforeseen side effects following device implantation into the brain are not fully characterized. The current study is aimed to quantify any motor deficit caused by microelectrode implantation in the motor cortex of healthy rats compared to non-implanted controls. Following electrode insertion, rats were tested on an open-field grid test to study gross motor function and a ladder test to study fine motor function. It was discovered that rats with chronically indwelling intracortical microelectrodes exhibited up to an incredible 527% increase in time to complete the fine motor task. This initial study defines the need for further and more robust behavioral testing of potential unintentional harm caused by microelectrode implantation.

Strategic philanthropy and its challenges in India: A multiple case study of grantmaking organizations

Grantmaking organizations in the United States play an increasingly important role in philanthropic giving toward international development issues. Champions of strategic philanthropy have encouraged grantmakers to set clear goals, use evidence‐based strategies, and monitor programs. This exploratory study delves into grantmaking in one of the largest emerging economies; India. Although India is a major recipient of private philanthropy, it continues to perform below average on various socio‐economic indicators. The impact of grantmaking has been unclear. We conducted in‐depth interviews with managers and leaders (n = 9) engaged in decision‐making within U.S. based grantmaking organizations, including nonprofit intermediaries and philanthropic foundations. We examine how the concept of strategic philanthropy is operationalized by participant organizations. Although the participants acknowledge the importance of starting out with a well‐defined strategy, they also face several challenges. We identify some of these challenges, outline how they are being addressed, and discuss implications.

American Teenagers, Educational Exchange, and Cold War Politics

The following article documents the expansion of high school exchange programs during the Cold War. It also examines the potential conflicts underlying that expansion, which relied on preexisting networks of government agencies and private philanthropies and sometimes conflated the rhetoric of world peace with a narrower pursuit of American interests. Ultimately, the article contends, experiences abroad prompted teenagers to criticize American foreign policy and to reform their sponsoring organizations along increasingly multilateral, anti-colonial, and socially conscious lines.

Changing the world one voice at a time: philanthropy and community choirs in Australia

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the intersections between social entrepreneurship, corporate philanthropy and community engagement. The Melbourne-based not-for-profit organisation Creativity Australia oversees With One Voice choirs that offer 20 programmes with about 3000 participants. Creativity Australia fosters community music engagement and seeks corporate funding to support this work. Data were gathered via documents and semi-structured interviews with the Chief Executive Officer, the Community and Partnerships Manager, the Principal Conductor and older members of two choirs. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings are presented thematically and report on participant understandings of social benefits that foster a sense of well-being. This Australian case study is an example of the potential of private philanthropy to offer significant benefits to quality of life of individuals, strengthen the social fabric of communities and to address the needs of older people (aged 55+) who seek social connection through music engagement.

Christmas in the Workhouse: Staging Philanthropy in the Nineteenth-Century Periodical

This article provides an overview of the representation of workhouse philanthropy in the nineteenth-century periodical. In the 1830s and 40s, the popular representation of the workhouse was of a cruel institution in which paupers were systematically beaten and starved. However, the ideological significance of the workhouse shifts in the depictions of privately funded philanthropy that proliferated in magazines and newspapers during the Christmas publishing season. In representations of the workhouse at Christmas, paupers are shown receiving gifts and enjoying entertainments against a festively decorated backdrop. Middle-class benevolence is at the heart of these Christmas performances: these treats are not funded by the poor rates, but by individuals, who are frequently depicted in attendance at the workhouse Christmas. The institution, now redolent with ideas of care, charity and goodwill, functions in these texts as a stage for the projection of a bourgeois philanthropic self; the reader, the audience of this ideological performance, is encouraged to self-identify with the middle-class values that overlay these workhouse scenes. Entwined with these depictions of private philanthropy are underlying ideas of discipline and control. Just as the middle-class guests enact an idealized identity, so too do the paupers enact the role of the indebted and grateful poor. This article examines how the nineteenth-century periodical constructs the workhouse as a performance space for the middle classes; it explores the various agendas of these constructions and analyses the ideological messages they convey.

Empirical Questionnaire Methods for Fund-Raising Campaign Preparedness in Extension

Amid waning public financial support for Extension program offerings, highly strategic and professional fund-raising practices are necessary for gaining momentum among private philanthropists and closing the fiscal gap. University of Missouri Extension conducted a precampaign survey that invited feedback from stakeholders to inform Extension leadership on how to execute fund-raising initiatives tailored to the audience. As a result, University of Missouri Extension is better positioned to serve the needs of its constituents by recruiting significant private financial support according to donors' unique interests.

Private Wealth, Philanthropy, and Social Development

Growing income inequality has created excessive barriers to social mobility for the poor. Charitable giving by the wealthy can reduce the societal effects of the income gap by reinvestment in public goods such as education. We apply the cipp model to investigate the role of philanthropy in advancing educational opportunities in the United States and China, using historical and contemporary cases of individual philanthropists. The findings suggest that the cases reviewed in this study created mechanisms by which to contribute to social development in their respective countries. Government policies play a key role in philanthropic development, particularly in China. It is important to continue to foster a supportive environment for the sector to grow, which may include expanding tax incentives, emphasizing performance-based funding, and eliminating administrative barriers. In short, educational philanthropy holds great promise for reducing opportunity gaps and economic inequality, by providing the key to success for future generations.

Philanthropy, political connection and debt finance

Purpose Philanthropy is taken as a strategic behavior by private enterprises to obtain financial resources from governments. This paper aims to examine the relationship between private enterprise philanthropy and the debt finance, further investigating the way by which governments exchange resources with private enterprises. Design/methodology/approach The paper opted for an empirical study using a sample of 1,489 Chinese private-listed companies from 2007 to 2010. The study analyzed the relationship between philanthropy and debt finance based on the resource dependence theory and social exchange theory and tested the moderating effect of political connection. Findings Philanthropy can help private enterprises to get the debt finance, and this effect occurs mainly among the political connected private enterprises; the higher degree of credit allocation marketization is, the less philanthropy can affect the debt finance and the less influence political connection can exert on that relationship. Philanthropy contributes to debt financing mainly because it can help obtain more long-term loan, and this effect is more obvious for politically connected private enterprises in regulated industries. Originality/value This paper verifies the action logic of private enterprises philanthropy from the perspective of exchange behavior, which is helpful to understand the motive and influence of private enterprises philanthropy.

Gluttony for a Cause or Feeding the Food Insecure? Contradictions in Combating Food Insecurity Through Private Philanthropy

Gluttony for a Cause or Feeding the Food Insecure? Contradictions in Combating Food Insecurity Through Private Philanthropy

What Accounts for the Variations in Nonprofit Growth? A Cross-National Panel Study

Previous studies of nonprofit growth have lamented the lack of cross-national longitudinal data measuring the size of the nonprofit sector across countries, which has made it difficult to assess the current state of knowledge about the nonprofit sector beyond national boundaries. Recent progress in measuring nonprofit growth using panel studies or cross-national data has compensated for the limitations of the existing research, but even the recent data are either country specific or cross sectional in nature. This study takes on the challenge of supplementing the current research by measuring nonprofit growth using internationally comparable longitudinal data. Specifically, this study focuses on whether certain key indicators of the overall state of the economy can be used to predict and explain the size of nonprofit sectors cross-nationally. The overall state of the economy has considerable relevance for nonprofit growth, as it influences the levels of government funding and private philanthropy that benefit the nonprofit sector. The results indicate that the existing theories about the nonprofit sector account for variations in nonprofit growth but are limited in their explanations of the underlying dynamics of such variations beyond national boundaries. Social origins theory is a useful addition that helps to explain cross-national variations in nonprofit growth. Importantly, the interplay among the government, private philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector is dynamic, and its effect on economic indicators varies across nonprofit regime types when sociodemographic variables are controlled.