In "Private Wealth and Public Life," historian Judith Sealander analyzes the role played by private philanthropic foundations in shaping public policy during the early years of this century. Focusing on foundation-sponsored attempts to influence policy in the areas of education, social welfare, and public health, she addresses significant misunderstandings about the place of philanthropic foundations in American life.

Between 1903 and 1932, fewer than a dozen philanthropic organizations controlled most of the hundreds of millions of dollars given to various causes. Among these, Sealander finds, seven foundations attempted to influence public social policy in significant ways--four were Rockefeller philanthropies, joined later by the Russell Sage, Rosenwald, and Commonwealth Fund foundations. Challenging the extreme views of foundations either as benevolent forces for social change or powerful threats to democracy, Sealander offers a more subtle understanding of foundations as important players in a complex political environment. The huge financial resources of some foundations bought access, she argues, but never complete control. Occasionally a foundation's agenda became public policy; often it did not. Whatever the results, the foundations and their efforts spurred the emergence of an American state with a significantly expanded social-policy-making role.

Drawing on a wealth of archival materials, much of it unavailable or overlooked until now, Sealander examines issues that remain central to American political life. Her topics include vocational education policy, parent education, juvenile delinquency, mothers' pensions and public aid to impoverished children, anti-prostitution efforts, sex research, and publicly funded recreation. "Foundation philanthropy's legacy for domestic social policy," she writes, "raises a point that should be emphasized repeatedly by students of the policy process: Rarely is just one entity a policy's sole author; almost always policies in place produced unintended consequences."

Lester Salamon pioneered the study of nonprofit organizations and of their cooperation with government in the development and delivery of important social and economic services. His unique research in the early and mid-1980s was the first to document the pervasive interrelationships between government and the nonprofit sector in the United States, identifying some of crucial characteristics of nonprofit human service agencies and examining the impact of the budget and tax policies of tire Reagan and Bush administrations. Partners in Public Service brings together some of Lester Salamon's most important work on the changing relationship between government and the voluntary sector in the American version of the modern welfare state. Approaching issues from a variety of perspectives -- theoretical, empirical, retrospective, prospective, and comparative -- Salamon illuminates the theoretical basis of government-nonprofit cooperation, shows why government came to rely on nonprofit groups to administer public programs, documents the scope of the resulting partnership, reviews the consequences for this partnership of recent attempts to cut federal spending, and explores the expanding scope of government-nonprofit collaboration at the international level.

A Vietnam veteran finds peace where he was once engaged in war. An impoverished single mother offers her family's time and energy to enrich their neighbours lives. A Zambian family of nine living in a makeshift tent makes room to shelter even more. A former president of the United States leads by example with a determined work ethic that motivates everyone around him to be the best version of themselves. These stories, and many others, illustrate how virtues become values, how cooperation becomes connection, and how even the smallest act of compassion can encourage actions that transform the world around us. Here are tales that will make readers laugh and cry and embrace with passion the calling of our better angels to change the way we take care of ourselves, our families, our communities, and the world.

In Phoebe Apperson Hearst: A Life in Power and Politics Alexandra M. Nickliss offers the first biography of one of the Gilded Age's most prominent and powerful women. A financial manager, businesswoman, and reformer, Phoebe Apperson Hearst was one of the wealthiest and most influential women of the era and a philanthropist, almost without rival, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hearst was born into a humble middle-class family in rural Missouri in 1842, yet she died a powerful member of society's urban elite in 1919. Most people know her as the mother of William Randolph Hearst, the famed newspaper mogul, and as the wife of George Hearst, a mining tycoon and U.S. senator. By age forty-eight, however, Hearst had come to control her husband's extravagant wealth after his death. She shepherded the fortune of the family estate until her own death, demonstrating her intelligence and skill as a financial manager. Hearst supported a number of significant urban reforms in the Bay Area, across the country, and around the world, giving much of her wealth to organizations supporting children, health reform, women's rights and well-being, higher education, municipal policy formation, progressive voluntary associations, and urban architecture and design, among other endeavors. She worked to exert her ideas and implement plans regarding the burgeoning Progressive movement and was the first female regent of the University of California, which later became one of the world's leading research institutions. Hearst held other prominent positions as the first president of the Century Club of San Francisco, first treasurer of the General Federation of Woman's Clubs, first vice president of the National Congress of Mothers, president of the Columbian Kindergarten Association, and head of the Woman's Board of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Phoebe Apperson Hearst tells the story of Hearst's world and examines the opportunities and challenges that she faced as she navigated local, national, and international corridors of influence, rendering a penetrating portrait of a powerful and often contradictory woman.

Philanthropy is a general term used to describe actions taken by individuals and organizations to benefit social units and universal causes. In practical terms, philanthropy is a type of social movement for the sake of human needs and generally refers to individual contributions or those of larger organizations aiming to serve the public good. This book discusses the past, present and future perspectives of philanthropy. Chapter One examines the tensions between discourses of philanthropy, social welfare, and social reform as they played out in parliamentary debates around proposed legislation and in localised public debates in the province of Auckland in New Zealand in the early 1870s. Chapter Two addresses the link between individual level theories of volunteering and organizational level approaches of philanthropic activity. Chapter Three discusses rational philanthropy in the Muslim world.

Throughout the Middle East, Islamist charities and social welfare organizations play a major role in addressing the socioeconomic needs of Muslim societies, independently of the state. Through case studies of Islamic medical clinics in Egypt, the Islamic Center Charity Society in Jordan, and the Islah Women s Charitable Society in Yemen, Janine A. Clark examines the structure and dynamics of moderate Islamic institutions and their social and political impact. Questioning the widespread assumption that such organizations primarily serve the poorer classes, Clark argues that these organizations in fact are run by and for the middle class. Rather than the vertical recruitment or mobilization of the poor that they are often presumed to promote, Islamic social institutions play an important role in strengthening social networks that bind middle-class professionals, volunteers, and clients. Ties of solidarity that develop along these horizontal lines foster the development of new social networks and the diffusion of new ideas."

In this revised and enlarged edition of his classic work, Robert H. Bremner provides a social history of American philanthropy from colonial times to the present, showing the ways in which Americans have sought to do good in such fields as religion, education, humanitarian reform, social service, war relief, and foreign aid. Three new chapters have been added that concisely cover the course of philanthropy and voluntarism in the United States over the past twenty-five years, a period in which total giving by individuals, foundations, and corporations has more than doubled in real terms and in which major revisions of tax laws have changed patterns of giving. This new edition also includes an updated chronology of important dates, and a completely revised bibliographic essay to guide readers on literature in the field.
This] book, as Bremner points out, is not encyclopedic. It is what he intended it to be, a pleasant narrative, seasoned with humorous comments, briefly but interestingly treating its principal persons and subjects. It should serve teacher and student as a springboard for further study of individuals, institutions and movements.--Karl De Schweinitz, American Historical Review
American Philanthropy] is the starting point for both casual readers and academic scholars. . . . a readable book, important beyond its diminutive size.--Richard Magat, Foundation News

Volunteers are the backbone of many an organization. This practical, hands-on guide, filled with useful tips and everyday examples, will help those responsible for volunteers successfully recruit and manage this invaluable resource. Anyone who supervises volunteers will find this book an indispensable guide for navigating the intricacies of managing unpaid workers. Underlying the content is the message that volunteers are a vital part of an organization's workforce and should be treated as valuable members of the team. Volunteers can work alongside paid staff members to help the organization run smoothly and efficiently-and cost effectively. The book is packed with easily implemented advice and proven techniques for successfully handling common situations. Concise and easy to read, it assumes neither previous volunteer management experience nor familiarity with business practices, yet even experienced volunteer managers will come away with fresh ideas and new approaches. To augment her own expertise and increase the diversity of viewpoints, the author interviewed volunteer managers from various types of organizations and shares their stories. Quotes and anecdotes throughout the book help readers relate to common problems and illustrate the challenges and rewards of managing volunteers.

A number of policy issues have direct or indirect consequences for the non-profit and charitable sector, including the establishment of a social innovation initiative, changes in the tax treatment of charitable donations, responses to the economic downturn, and health care reform. The non-profit and charitable sector represents a significant portion of the U.S. economy. This book provides a formal definition of the non-profit and charitable sector, its size and scope. Also explored are how charities are funded and an overview of the charitable sector's relationship with government and policy considerations.

With the first cup of tea, you are a stranger. With the second ...a friend. With the third cup of tea, you are family. One day Greg Mortenson set out to climb K2 - the world's second highest mountain - in honour of his younger sister, but things went wrong and Greg became lost. He wandered into a poor village, where the chief and his people took him in. Moved by their kindness, Greg promised to return and build a school for the children. This is the remarkable story of how Greg built not one but more than sixty schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and how he has dedicated his life to promoting literacy, peace and understanding.

Louis Bamberger (1855-1944) was the epitome of the merchant prince as public benefactor. Born in Baltimore, this son of German immigrants built his business-the great, glamorous L. Bamberger & Co. department store in Newark, N.J.-into the sixth-largest department store in the country. A multimillionaire by middle age, he joined the elite circle of German Jews who owned Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Filene's. Despite his vast wealth and local prominence, Bamberger was a reclusive figure who shunned the limelight, left no business records, and kept no diaries. He remained a bachelor and kept his private life and the rationale for his business decisions to himself. Yet his achievements are manifold. He was a merchandising genius whose innovations, including newspaper and radio ads and brilliant use of window and in-store displays, established the culture of consumption in twentieth-century America. His generous giving, both within the Jewish community and beyond it, created institutions that still stand today: the Newark YM-YWHA, Beth Israel Hospital, and the Newark Museum. Toward the end of his career, he financed and directed the creation of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, which led to a friendship with Albert Einstein. Despite his significance as business innovator and philanthropist, historians of the great department stores have paid scant attention to Bamberger. This full-length biography will interest historians as well as general readers of Jewish history nationally, New Jerseyans fascinated by local history, and the Newarkers for whom Bamberger's was a beloved local institution.

This enlightening edited collection shows how migration shapes the lives of faith communities - and vice versa - through diverse prisms including diaspora, generational change, cultural conflict, conceptions of 'ministry' and artistic response. The contributors comprise writers, poets and artists from the three largest Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and beyond. They show how issues of migration are addressed through a variety of different media such as theological debate and shared community action, poetry and art. As issues of migration are an important factor in so many political and social debates, faith communities are looking for guidance on how to deepen their theological understanding of migration. This book helps them to reflect on their own practices and experiences, learn from their own traditions and engage in dialogue with diverse communities. *All royalties from book sales will be donated to The Helen Bamber Foundation - a UK-based charity that supports people who have survived extreme physical, sexual and psychological violence.*

In the face of authoritarian, divisive trends and multiplying crises, when politics-as-usual is stymied, Awakening Democracy through Public Work shows it is possible to build foundations for a democratic awakening grounded in deep American traditions of a citizen-centered commonwealth. Awakening Democracy through Public Work begins with the story of Public Achievement, a youth civic education and empowerment initiative with roots in the civil rights movement. It describes Public Achievement's first home in St. Bernard's, a low-income Catholic elementary school in St. Paul, Minnesota, and how the program spread across the country and then abroad, giving birth to the larger concept of public work. In Public Achievement, young people practice ""citizen politics"" as they tackle issues ranging from bullying, racism, and sexual harassment to playground improvements, curriculum changes, and better school lunches. They develop everyday political skills for working across differences and making constructive change. Such citizen politics, more like jazz than a set piece of music, involve the interplay and negotiation of diverse interests and views, sometimes contentious, sometimes harmonious. Public Achievement highlights young people's roles as co-creators-builders of schools, communities, and democratic society. They are not citizens in waiting, but active citizens who do public work. Awakening Democracy through Public Work also describes how public work can find expression in many kinds of work, from education and health to business and government. It is relevant across the sweep of society. People have experimented with the idea of public work in hundreds of settings in thirty countries, from Northern Ireland and Poland to Ghana and Japan. In Burundi it birthed a national initiative to rework relations between villagers and police. In South Africa it helped people in poor communities to see themselves as problem solvers rather than simply consumers of government services. In the US, at Denison University public work is being integrated into dorm life. In Maxfield School in St. Paul, it is transforming special education. In rural Missouri, it led to the ""emPowerU"" initiative of the Heartland Foundation, encouraging thousands of young people to stay in the region. In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, it generated ""Clear Vision,"" a program providing government support for citizen-led community improvements. Public work has expanded into the idea of ""citizen professionals"" working with other citizens, not on them or for them. It has also generated the idea of ""civic science,"" in which scientists see themselves as citizens and science as a resource for civic empowerment. Awakening Democracy through Public Work shows that we can free the productive powers of people to work across lines of differences to build a better society and create grounded hope for the future.

Drawing on more than two years of participant observation in the American Midwest and in Madagascar among Lutheran clinicians, volunteer laborers, healers, evangelists, and former missionaries, Conversionary Sites investigates the role of religion in the globalization of medicine. Based on immersive research of a transnational Christian medical aid program, Britt Halvorson tells the story of a thirty-year-old initiative that aimed to professionalize and modernize colonial-era evangelism. Creatively blending perspectives on humanitarianism, global medicine, and the anthropology of Christianity, she argues that the cultural spaces created by these programs operate as multistranded "conversionary sites," where questions of global inequality, transnational religious fellowship, and postcolonial cultural and economic forces are negotiated. A nuanced critique of the ambivalent relationships among religion, capitalism, and humanitarian aid, Conversionary Sites draws important connections between religion and science, capitalism and charity, and the US and the Global South.

Running down "do-gooders" has become a popular pastime in recent years. Journalists and academics alike have lampooned and criticized philanthropists and big donors for their charitable activities, which are often characterized as a means of self-aggrandisement or tax evasion. Yet, it is widely acknowledged that philanthropy - from the establishment of Carnegie libraries in the nineteenth century to the recent global health interventions of the Gates Foundation - has played a critical role in both developed and developing societies. In an impassioned defence of the role of philanthropy in society, Beth Breeze tackles the main critiques levelled at philanthropy and questions the rationale for undermining and disparaging philanthropic acts. She contends that although it might be flawed, philanthropy is a sector that ought to be celebrated and championed so that an abundance of causes and interests can flourish.

Praise for
Mapping the New World of American Philanthropy
Causes and Consequences of the Transfer of Wealth
"This book does a wonderful job of guiding the reader through the increasingly changing world of philanthropy. These changes must drive dramatic change in the not-for-profit sector if it is to respond efficiently and effectively. Only then will we be able to maintain the quality of our society."
--Thomas J. Moran, Chairman, President, and CEO of Mutual of America
"The Great Wealth Transfer has been a mantra for years for fundraisers and donors alike. What does it really mean? Susan Raymond and Mary Beth Martin bring rigorous analysis and profound insights to the phenomenon in this book, which provides the definitive map for navigating a brave new world of philanthropy."
--Fiona K. Hodgson, Vice President for Leadership Giving, Save the Children
The anticipated transfer of wealth between generations--and its practical implications for philanthropy--is the subject of much interest in the nonprofit community. Edited by noted nonprofit experts Susan Raymond and Mary Beth Martin, Mapping the New World of American Philanthropy offers candid, insightful essays that offer an insider's look at every angle of wealth transfer, with contributions by leaders in the field of philanthropy, including:
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Marc H. Morial
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Preston H. Koster
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Steven DiSalvo
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Nora Campbell Wood
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Rodney W. Nichols

With hard-to-find data, graphs, and charts, as well as other practical tools, Mapping the New World of American Philanthropy is your seminal guide to prepare for the coming intergenerational transfer of wealth that will affect your nonprofit and?philanthropy in general. Get practical insights and strategies from the most experienced wealth transfer leaders and practitioners in America.

How does commitment to a university become so significant that it prompts giving that can impact generations of students? Are donors motivated by their own experiences, memories of friends and mentors, or aspirations to fund cutting edge research, teaching, and service? At Indiana University, authentic and trusting partnerships pave the way for donors to invest in the causes they believe in, resulting in the creation of knowledge, of opportunity, and of beauty across campus. The Spirit of Generosity: Shaping IU through Philanthropy shares compelling stories of thirteen partnerships that have advanced the common good at Indiana University. These relationships, though unique, are founded on the understanding that gifts reflect the values and dreams of donors. Whether giving endows a chair, funds scholarships, or renovates buildings, it is infused with deep meaning and leaves a lasting impact on the university community. This book honors the generosity of spirit that motivates philanthropy and helps Indiana University fulfill its mission to provide broad access to education, excel in innovative research and teaching, and improve the human condition.

In this bracing history, Kathleen D. McCarthy explores the impact of philanthropy-both giving and volunteerism-on America from 1700 to 1865. What results is a vital reevaluation of public life during the pivotal decades leading up to the Civil War. By exploring the relationships between the market, the state, and the voluntary sphere, McCarthy demonstrates how these elements interacted to change our government-and the course of history. Donors, volunteers, and 'nonprofit entrepreneurs' all left a distinctive imprint on American charities, educational patronage, struggles against slavery and racism, female campaigns for equality, and wartime imperatives. In the process, McCarthy uncovers the pivotal role of philanthropy in the story of America's continuous pursuit to fulfill our founding ideals.
"A tour de force. . . . [Modern donors] should all read American Creed to be reminded of the traditional impulses and motives that inspired earlier American philanthropists, large and small, to use their money aggressively in the creation and defense of social justice."--Mark Dowie, Los Angeles Times
"While her riveting history of civil society from the founding to the Civil War focuses on philanthropy and religion, it is laced with keen insights into the place of civil disorder, repression, chivalry, and feminism in the American social order. This is history at its best. A work that is truly pertinent to our times."--Benjamin Barber

Do You Want to Become a Volunteer but feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of organizations to choose from? Look no further than this revised edition of the bestselling book Make a Difference!
Complied and written by Arthur Blaustein, adjunct professor of social and urban policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and faculty advisor for its Americorps program, this guide offers valuable information for everyone inspired to give back to their communities. Make a Difference will help you find innumerable opportunities to put your expertise and talents to good use.
This revised and expanded guide includes more than 185 national, nonprofit organizations that use volunteers of all ages to make a difference where it counts. Make a Difference also lists 30 organizations that give up-to-date information on critical issues and policies. Whether you want to tutor a child or an adult, promote a cause you care about, or get hands-on experience at an organization's headquarters, Make a Difference will inspire you to get out there and make a difference in your community— and your life.

Bringing together over 50 years of annual fund experience, master fundraiser Kent E. Dove has joined Carolyn P. Madvig and Jeffrey A. Lindauer to bring you a complete guide to planning and managing the most fundamental fundraising strategy: the annual giving program. Conducting a Successful Annual Giving Program, the third volume in the groundbreaking Dove on Fundraising Series, features a wealth of illustrative samples of fundraising tools, many of which have never before been offered in book form. Throughout the book, the authors address the key components of an annual giving program--including telemarketing, direct mail, special events, personal solicitation and matching gifts--and reveal how to integrate each component of the annual giving program into a coherent, fluid fundraising plan.

High Praise for High Impact Philanthropy

"Successful navigation through today’s changing world of philanthropy requires greater understanding by nonprofits and donors. High Impact Philanthropy meets this need."–Roberta W. Gutman, Executive Director, Motorola Foundation

"At a time when the terrain of American philanthropy is so rapidly shifting in new and unprecedented ways, this bright and focused analysis stands as a beacon of innovative thinking for donors and community organizers alike. By sketching in bold strokes the case for more effective collaborative giving, this book may well help transform our communities in the twenty-first century."–Peter deCourcy Hero,President, Community Foundation Silicon Valley

"High Impact Philanthropy provides a thoughtful analysis of how venture philanthropy is changing the way nonprofits run and how philanthropists give. Important parallels are made to the business world, demonstrating how nonprofits and donors can both benefit from putting their business hats on and running their organizations and giving programs like businesses."–Jan D’Alessandro Wadsworth, Vice President, AOL Foundation

"High Impact Philanthropy is an effective and articulate guide to planning a major gifts strategy, soliciting major gifts from individuals in a personable and efficient manner, and integrating this essential task into the very structure of a nonprofit organization."–Claude Rosenberg, Founder, New Tithing Group

Corporate giving currently accounts for nearly 10 percent of all charitable donations nationwide, and most experts agree that the flow of corporate resources earmarked for nonprofit programs is on the rise. Yet, many fund raisers are held back from tapping this gold mine by the fear they don’t know how to "play the system" correctly. When it comes to soliciting corporate funds, even old hands at private fund raising find themselves stymied by the lack of clear-cut answers to such critical questions as: "How do I find out which companies give and how do I obtain information about them?" "Who are the funding decision makers, and how do I appeal to them and cultivate relationships with them?" "What hidden strings and pitfalls should I be aware of when soliciting corporate funds?"

Successful Corporate Fund Raising provides in-depth answers to these and all your questions about finding and winning corporate funds. The distillation of Scott Sheldon’s more than two decades of experience as a corporate fund raiser, it provides a complete blueprint for developing and maintaining successful corporate fund-raising programs at nonprofits of all sizes.

The book begins with an in-depth exploration of the world of contemporary corporate giving. It explains the key differences between private funding and the "strategic philanthropy" practiced by many corporations. It describes the various forms corporate giving most commonly takes, including cash, in-kind, and volunteerism. And it clearly spells out the motivations, perceptions, expectations, and conditions driving most corporate funding.The lion’s share of the book is devoted to schooling readers in effective low-cost strategies for locating, obtaining, and managing corporate resources. Organized around the five key components of a successful corporate funding initiative, it provides step-by-step guidance on how to research corporate funders, cultivate relationships with key personnel, solicit corporate resources, evaluate the efficacy of fund-raising initiatives, and manage funded programs. It also supplies a wealth of forms, questionnaires, sample letters and proposals, checklists, and other valuable tools that can easily be adapted for use in your organization. Successful Corporate Fund Raising is an indispensable working resource for all nonprofit fund raisers, development managers, agency executives, and board members.

An expert’s guide to finding and winning corporate support for your nonprofit organization.

This book shows fund raisers and executives at nonprofits of all sizes how to take advantage of the current corporate funding opportunities. K. Scott Sheldon provides a fresh, insider’s look at contemporary corporate giving, and he develops a complete blueprint for developing a corporate fund-raising program. Step-by-step, he walks you through the entire corporate fund-raising process and:

• Describes proven fund-raising strategies and techniques that can be integrated into virtually any nonprofit organization
• Alerts you to the common pitfalls to corporate solicitation and shows you how to avoid them
• Explores the impact of new technologies on corporate fund raising
• Details solid strategies for taking advantage of resources other than cash, including in-kind donations and volunteers
• Illustrates key points with fascinating and instructive real-world case studies
• Arms you with an array of forms, checklists, sample documents, questionnaires, and other valuable tools

"This book captures exquisitely the heart, mind, and spirit of leadership. With powerful insight and grace, Katherine Tyler Scott...shows us how we can recover that which is most precious and vulnerable in our society--trust. Creating Caring and Capable Boards will inspire anyone seeking to create meaning and value through leadership. It's a must-read!"
--Ronald A. Heifetz, director, Leadership Education Project, Harvard University

"This book will aid organizations in probing beneath the surface of board work to build leadership based on the convergence of personal and organizational values."
--Eugene R. Tempel, executive director, Indiana University Center on Philanthropy

"A valuable, practical book filled with wisdom that demonstrates how the vision, depth education, and foresight of the board as well as its commitment to the organization's mission are critical to success."
--Larraine Matusak, senior leadership scholar, Burns Academy of Leadership, University of Maryland, and president, LarCon Associates

Creating Caring and Capable Boards is for the millions of people who serve on nonprofit boards and for the executive staff who work with those boards. It offers readers a new and proven model of board leadership. Based on more than ten years of practical experience, this step-by-step process can help board members to refine their understanding of the organization, strengthen their commitment to mission and goals, and improve their ability to lead cohesively and effectively. Author Katherine Tyler Scott explores the historical context of board service, explains the duties of board trustees, and offers straightforward exercises to help trustees fulfill their unique roles. Much more than a guide, this book invites boards to renew their commitment to improving the social sector through caring and competent leadership.

"Joel Orosz has given us a rare gift at a critical moment. His book is a wise guide not only for the new program officer but also for the experienced grantmaker."
--Frances Hesselbein, chairman of the board of governors, The Drucker Foundation

"A book on grantmaking with the name of Joel Orosz attached to it has instant credibility in the foundation world.... Every grantmaker can learn from his example."
--Dorothy S. Ridings, president and CEO, Council on Foundations

"Foundation program officers inhabit a mysterious world that grantseekers strain constantly to understand. Joel Orosz has finally given us a glimpse into a world that may not be as strange and distant as we thought."
--Robert K. Goodwin, president and CEO, Points of Light Foundation

Unlike many formal professions, foundation grantmaking is a calling with no training programs and little definitive literature on the latest and best practices. Written for program officers and of considerable value to grantseekers, this volume is the first and only practical guide to making foundation grants and developing essential skills for effective and ethical grantmaking.

Author Joel J. Orosz not only introduces readers to the history, structure, and function of foundations in society but also explores the complex role that program officers play in their day-to-day activities. He provides real-world advice on a myriad of tasks--from meeting with applicants and reviewing their proposals to assisting the funded project and managing foundation initiatives. He also asks critical questions about this growing and evolving profession, such as "What kind of person should become a grantmaker?" and "How does one avoid the seven temptations of philanthropy?" Throughout the book, Orosz informs his lively, thoughtful discussions with his own considerable experience in grantmaking.

The Insider's Guide to Grantmaking invites readers to observe the world of foundations closely. It provides a useful overview for those new to the field, helps more experienced program officers to think more deeply about their work, and shares rich insights for the thousands of nonprofit leaders who pursue foundation grants.