Books in the Philanthropic and Nonprofit Studies series

Why do some countries have a vibrant nonprofit sector while others do not? Nonprofits in Crisis explores the theory of risk as a major mechanism through which economic development influences the nonprofit sector. Nuno S. Themudo elaborates this idea by focusing on Mexican nonprofit organizations, which operate and strive to survive in a risky environment. The study of these nonprofits generates broader lessons about philanthropy and the nonprofit sector that complement wider cross-national statistical analysis.

Looks at some of the spiritual resources of the Christian tradition that can aid serious reflection on wealth and giving. Beginning with Aristotle - who is crucial for understanding later Christian thought - this book discusses Aquinas, Ignatius, Luther, Calvin, and Jonathan Edwards.

Once largely confined to the biggest cities in the mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes states, philanthropic foundations now play a significant role in nearly every state. Wide-ranging and incisive, the essays in American Philanthropic Foundations: Regional Difference and Change examine the origins, development, and accomplishments of philanthropic foundations in key cities and regions of the United States. Each contributor assesses foundation efforts to address social and economic inequalities, and to encourage cultural and creative life in their home regions and elsewhere. This fascinating and timely study of contemporary America''s philanthropic foundations vividly illustrates foundations'' commonalities and differences as they strive to address pressing public problems.

From the mid-19th century until the rise of the modern welfare state in the early 20th century, Anglo-American philanthropic giving gained an unprecedented measure of cultural authority as it changed in kind and degree. Civil society took on the responsibility for confronting the adverse effects of industrialism, and transnational discussions of poverty, urbanization, women's work, and sympathy provided a means of understanding and debating social reform. While philanthropic institutions left a transactional record of money and materials, philanthropic discourse yielded a rich corpus of writing that represented, rationalized, and shaped these rapidly industrializing societies, drawing on and informing other modernizing discourses including religion, economics, and social science. Showing the fundamentally transatlantic nature of this discourse from 1850 to 1920, the authors gather a wide variety of literary sources that crossed national and colonial borders within the Anglo-American range of influence. Through manifestos, fundraising tracts, novels, letters, and pamphlets, they piece together the intellectual world where philanthropists reasoned through their efforts and redefined the public sector.

From the mid-19th century until the rise of the modern welfare state in the early 20th century, Anglo-American philanthropic giving gained an unprecedented measure of cultural authority as it changed in kind and degree. Civil society took on the responsibility for confronting the adverse effects of industrialism, and transnational discussions of poverty, urbanization, womenΓÇÖs work, and sympathy provided a means of understanding and debating social reform. While philanthropic institutions left a transactional record of money and materials, philanthropic discourse yielded a rich corpus of writing that represented, rationalized, and shaped these rapidly industrializing societies, drawing on and informing other modernizing discourses including religion, economics, and social science. Showing the fundamentally transatlantic nature of this discourse from 1850 to 1920, the authors gather a wide variety of literary sources that crossed national and colonial borders within the Anglo-American range of influence. Through manifestos, fundraising tracts, novels, letters, and pamphlets, they piece together the intellectual world where philanthropists reasoned through their efforts and redefined the public sector.

The wife of robber-baron Russell Sage, Olivia Sage took on the mantle of active, reforming womanhood in New York voluntary associations. When Russell Sage died in 1906, he left her a vast fortune. Sage used the money to fund a spectrum of progressive reforms. This biography is about a ruling-class woman who became a major American philanthropist.

Drawing on the expertise of Chinese and Western academics and practitioners, this book aims to advance the understanding of philanthropy for health in China in the 20th century and to identify future challenges and opportunities.

Drawing on the expertise of Chinese and Western academics and practitioners, this book aims to advance the understanding of philanthropy for health in China in the 20th century and to identify future challenges and opportunities.

The process of cultural borrowing and intercultural transfer shaped urban landscapes with the building of libraries, museums, and social housing projects. This book offers a contribution to the field of transnational history, and establishes philanthropy as a prime example of the conversion of economic resources into social and cultural capital.

A stimulating book on the questions of whom -- and how -- to help.

Presenting an account of why people volunteer and the factors that motivate them, this study describes how volunteer programs, such as the Partnership generate ethical development in and among participants. It also suggests that the American ethic is essential for sustaining community life and to the future well-being of a democratic society.

Talks about the modern development of philanthropy in a transatlantic context. The comparative method of these essays help to describe the important civic and cultural role played by philanthropy, and show the extent to which civic institutions were dependent on private support.

Sheds light on how religion and philanthropy function in American society

Many acts of charitable giving fail in their stated goals and some are actually harmful. This work explains why this state of affairs exists. It outlines solutions, ranging from those that equip philanthropists to do good work to those that build a domain of philanthropic knowledge, ethical codes, and best practices.

In the 1880s, social reform leaders warned that the "e;unworthy"e; poor were taking charitable relief intended for the truly deserving. Armed with statistics and confused notions of evolution, these "e;scientific charity"e; reformers founded organizations intent on limiting access to relief by the most morally, biologically, and economically unfit. Brent Ruswick examines a prominent national organization for scientific social reform and poor relief in Indianapolis in order to understand how these new theories of poverty gave birth to new programs to assist the poor.

The remarkable story of a philanthropist and civil rights crusader

The history of foundations is attracting scholars from across the social disciplines and constitutes some of the interesting and productive research in history and the social sciences. This book presents examples of work about foundations and their histories and offers the opportunity to ponder the problems and possibilities of foundation history.

Examines the evolution of the ideas and practices of benevolence, chiefly in the context of British imperialism, from the late 18th century onwards. This book offers a study of benevolence that avoids simple moralistic judgments while exploring a range of ethical, political, social, and cultural issues linked with benevolent pursuits and policies.

A diverse collection of classic and popular writings assembled to guide reflection on how to be a more thoughtful giver.

How did the United States come to rely so heavily on non-profits? How have Americans sought to control them? These questions suggest the complexity of the history of non-profits in the United States. This reader presents some of the documents in the development of the non-profit sector along with interpretations by scholars.

Considers the connection between religion and giving within the Abrahamic traditions. This title focuses on the philosophical or theological dimensions of giving. It provides constructive guidance to the reader - informed by a critical understanding of the religious traditions under review.

How generosity enriches lives and communities

Includes essays that reflect pioneering efforts to study the global movement of ideas and institutions. This title deals with such topics as: initiatives to address the AIDS epidemic in East Africa; to protect the peoples and ecosystems of the Amazon; and, to advance the 'truth and reconciliation' process in South Africa.

Giving circles have been seen as the democratic of philanthropic mechanisms, working to meet social needs and solve community problems, enhancing the civic education and participation of their members. This title examines this phenomenon and considers what role voluntary associations and philanthropy can or should play in a democratic society.

Explores the role of voluntary action and nonprofit organization in contemporary America. This book presents the concept of "third space," which provides an important tool for the construction of civil society. It is a call to strengthen the social fabric through community action.

Defines more than 1,200 terms and concepts that have been found useful in research and theory on the nonprofit sector. The entries reflect the importance of associations, citizen participation, philanthropy, voluntary action, nonprofit management, volunteer administration, leisure, and political activities of nonprofits.

An agenda-setting overview of the state of philanthropy in the United States.

Who tends to volunteer and why? What causes attract certain types of volunteers? What motivates people to volunteer? Making use of survey information to offer a detailed portrait of the volunteer in America, this work provides a resource for everyone who works with volunteers or is interested in their role in contemporary society.