This new work, edited by Kiger, a specialist in foundation history, inlcudes 146 sketches of major foundations in 31 countries. Detailed entries written by foundation personnel or drawn from secondary sources describe the history, purpose, activities, financing, governance, and location of each foundation. . . . This will be useful both as a reference source and a social history. "Library Journal"

This volume provides information on the history and operation of major foundations located outside the United States. Unlike statistical directories covering foreign foundations, this book treats the most important foundations in thirty-one different countries and provides historical essays often written by the respective officers themselves. As one of the very few book-length accounts of international foundations in English, the volume offers not only essential data on individual organizations, but a platform for comparing the structure and function of various foundations as well.

The book is made up of 146 historical sketches of the most significant foundations in thirty-one countries, categorized by type as independent, corporation-sponsored, community, or operating. Approximately half of the sketches were provided by persons within the foundations, while the remaining ones were derived from histories and reports, correspondence, interviews, and other research. Each sketch contains basic information on the founding, purpose, activities, financing, governance, and location of a foundation, to the extent that it was available. Also included are three appendices, which provide topical and chronological listings of the institutions. In addition, bibliographical references to sources utilized and references for further reading are supplied at the end of each sketch. The volume will be a valuable reference source for foundations throughout the world, government agencies and college and university administrators, and public and academic libraries. It will also be relevant to courses in the history of philanthropy and intellectual and social history.

"recommended for most academic and large public, and some special libraries." Library Journal

"The most recent volume in this series maintains the standard of accuracy set by its predecessors." Wilson Library Bulletin

This book provides historical sketches of the most significant national and international learned societies and academies located outside the United States. Complementing Joseph Kiger's Research Institutions and Learned Societies, which covers the United States, this volume includes profiles, arranged alphabetically, on some 100 organizations located in fifty-three countries.

Each profile provides comprehensive, uniform, up-to-date information, including founding, history, purpose, activities, governance, current operations, and location of offices and archives, on the subject society. Entries conclude with sources of additional information. Appendices include chronologies, genealogies, and topical listings. The work includes a full index.

In a readable, coherent, and succinct account, Kiger surveys the changes that have taken place in U.S. foundations in the 20th century and describes our foundations as they exist today. Opening with historical information on the emergence of large foundations at the beginning of the century, the book discusses the major characteristics of foundations, emphasizing that they are organized to give away rather than make money, and identifies and discusses the major changes since 1950.

In considering those changes, the book considers such topics as growth and expansion, diversification in the makeup of trustees and staff, and governmental oversight and supervision. In the increasing movement of foundations into the international sphere, the book covers their international activities and the formation and operation of international centers and groups associated with them. "Phlanthropic Foundations in the Twentieth Century" provides a useful overview of the growth, development, and operation of foundations.