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."

Voluntary Associations and Nonprofit Organizations in Our Current Uncertain World provides students with a collection of enlightening readings that present major topics related to voluntary associations and nonprofit organizations from a multidisciplinary perspective, including sociological. The text is organized into six units that cover: the historical background, definition, and theories of nonprofit organizations; the nonprofit sector relations and other partnerships; organization and structure; communication and nonprofit organizations; funding, strategy, and management; and policy issues, globalization, and the future of nonprofit organizations. The readings explore a wide variety of topics, including the role of nonprofits in society, civic engagement, governmental relations, the importance of mission and vision statements, best practices for online advocacy, budget and finance, the global drivers of change, and much more. Each reading is framed by an introduction and discussion questions to reinforce key concepts and stimulate critical thinking. Filling a gap in the current literature, Voluntary Associations and Nonprofit Organizations in Our Current Uncertain World is an ideal resource for courses that explore all aspects of voluntary associations and nonprofit organizations.

Our faith is centered around giving and offering support, yet our belief about those who need "help" must be reexamined. Philanthropy is steeped in myths that hurt communities of color rather than help them. Many current philanthropic strategies fail because they neglect the experience, wisdom, and gifts of those receiving "help," and prioritize and perpetuate false myths. These myths fuel deficit-based models of philanthropy that do not work and will not change poverty.Froswa' Booker-Drew offers a solution that transforms philanthropy at individual and collective levels. Eliminating common myths and misinterpretations can bring about a more effective model of philanthropy-one that relies on a community's social, human, and cultural capital and champions the insights and strengths of those being served. In addition, the voices of those most impacted by philanthropy must be included in board membership, program development, leadership in nonprofits, and charitable giving. Empowering Charity serves as catalyst and conversation starter for tolerance and authentic inclusion in our workplaces, organizations, and communities. Booker-Drew supplies strategies for involving those who are often unknown, overlooked, or viewed as "other," strategies that will have a collective impact in the community of God and transform philanthropy to highlight God's love for all people and effect real change.