Community foundations as ‘a very large tent’
Today’s image of philanthropy comes from a panel discussion on the role of community foundations and regional associations of grantmakers in the US. Dorothy Reynolds, at the time president of…
Search by author: csppg
Trusts as ‘underground rivers’
Today’s image of philanthropy raises questions about the visibility and understanding of foundations and their activities. As Anthony Sampson stated: ‘the great family trusts are like underground rivers in a…
Scottish Philanthropy Snippet – Emma Maitland Stirling
Emma Maitland Stirling (1839-1907) ‘a prickly, perhaps injudicious, but forceful pioneer’ Background: Emma Maitland Stirling was born in Edinburgh on 15th December 1839 as the youngest of 12 children into…
Starting a foundation? Think ‘porcupine’
Today’s image of philanthropy highlights that starting a foundations might be easier than figuring out what to do with it: “[S]tarting a family foundation is like catching a porcupine –…
Foundations as ‘astronomical objects’
The direct and indirect influence that larger foundations might have on their wider context is picked up in today’s image of philanthropy: “[F]oundations are like astronomical objects — the larger…
Community foundations as ‘amoebae’
Today’s image of philanthropy could be applied to different foundation sectors across the globe. However, it is taken from the European Community Foundation Initiative’s Guide to Community Foundations in Europe;…
Philanthropy as ‘a pebble in a pond’
Today’s image of philanthropy focuses on philanthropy’s potential to act as a catalyst and create far reaching ‘ripples’. This is nicely illustrated by the idea that philanthropy is like ‘a…
Foundation executives as ‘artful jugglers’
Managing a foundation is a complex task. This is highlighted in today’s image of philanthropy. Examining foundation CEOs’ tasks, activities and requirements, Fay Twersky, Director of the Effective Philanthropy Group…
Philanthropy as ‘war’
Today’s image of philanthropy provides another critical voice levelled at prominent ideas around philanthropic effectiveness and impact. It comes from a chapter by Peter Frumkin entitled Central Problems in…
Philanthropy is like ‘farming’
The idea that philanthropy should be more like business is prominent and problematic. Today’s image of philanthropy highlights one of the inherent tension between the two areas. As Güler Sabanci,…