Philanthropic Foundations: history, role and controversy

Philanthropisms

In this episode we take a deep dive into the world of philanthropic foundations. What are they, how did they evolve, and what light can their history shed on continuing debates about the role of foundations in our society today? Including:

• What are the key features that define philanthropic foundations?
• Are these consistent around the world and across time periods?
• Why do foundations often act as a lightning rod for wider concerns about philanthropy?
• The historical origins of western foundations: ancient Roman fideicommissium or Islamic waqf?
• The growth of the charitable trust in medieval England
• Reformation, industrialisation and the slow secularisation of charitable foundations
• "Zombie" foundations in C19th London and calls for reform
• The birth of the giant general purpose foundations in 20th century America: why was this so surprising, and why has it proven so influential?
• Growing concerns about foundation abuses in mid C20th US, and the passage of the 1969 Tax Act
• The "Dead Hand of the Donor" and critiques of perpetual endowments
• Do foundations deserve their tax advantages? Should they be made to work harder for them?
• Do endowed foundations have a unique role to play in taking risks and driving innovation when it comes to addressing society's needs? How much of what foundations currently do lives up to this ambition?
• Are foundations an important expression of philanthropic pluralism? Why is the legitimacy of this pluralism being questioned more than ever before?
• Do foundations need to be more open and transparent? If so, about what?
• Are foundations "repugnant to the whole idea of a democratic society", or can they play a positive role in strengthening democracy?
• How do concerns about "tainted" wealth affect the legitimacy of foundation philanthropy?

Related links

• 3 part Why Philanthropy Matters essay series on philanthropic foundations: Part 1 - Defintions; Part 2 - History; Part 3 - Current Debates
• Philanthropisms podcast episode on pluralism
• Philanthropisms podcast episode on gratitude and recognition
• Philanthropisms podcast episode on tainted donations
• Fozia Irfan's "Transformative Philanthropy" paper
• Rhodri on the "What Donors Want" podcast talking discussing whether UK foundations should be subject to a minimum payout requirement
• Tobias Jung's chapter, "The Nonprofit Sector’s ‘Rich Relations’?
  Foundations and their grantmaking activities"