This book examines the raison detre for foundations in the context of the civil society in which they operate. The author discusses the dynamics that drive philanthropy and how they are evolving as society strives to meet the challenges of the coming years. He also takes a hard look at the sensitive issues of democratic legitimacy, accountability and credibility in the context of civil society, as well as the policy environment in which foundations operate. The book tackles the subject of effective grantmaking, from strategy to implementation and the cornerstone of transparency evaluation. The arguments challenge the status quo and deliver a wake-up call to philanthropists on both sides of the Atlantic. The book intends to spark the debate that has already begun in the sector, as it strives to strengthen its relevance and make a difference in a world that is becoming more divided than ever before.
Book Details:
- Author: Luc Tayart de Borms
- ISBN: 9780470015469
- Year Published: 2005
- Pages: 226
- BISAC: BUS027000, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS/Finance
About the Book and Topic:
This book examines the raison detre for foundations in the context of the civil society in which they operate. The author discusses the dynamics that drive philanthropy and how they are evolving as society strives to meet the challenges of the coming years. He also takes a hard look at the sensitive issues of democratic legitimacy, accountability and credibility in the context of civil society, as well as the policy environment in which foundations operate. The book tackles the subject of effective grantmaking, from strategy to implementation and the cornerstone of transparency evaluation. The arguments challenge the status quo and deliver a wake-up call to philanthropists on both sides of the Atlantic. The book intends to spark the debate that has already begun in the sector, as it strives to strengthen its relevance and make a difference in a world that is becoming more divided than ever before.
Foundations are coming under increasingly hard scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic. There has been and continues to be much soul-searching in the sector. In the wake of recent scandals in the US, the public and the media on both sides of the Atlantic are questioning whether foundations are effective vehicles for philanthropy. And rightly so. The bottom line is that foundations are, for the most part, unaccountable organisations that enjoy considerable freedom at the expense of taxpayer contributions. They use private money for a perceived public benefit that critics claim is rarely – if ever – assessed, evaluated or democratically controlled. Yet their supporters claim they are agents of change, the voice of civil society, innovators, and much more.
The reader would gain: A perspective on the issues which will be considered by policy-makers in framing regulation and fiscal incentive for philanthropy and by academics in their deliberations on philanthropy in society. A framework for donors when considering the impact they might be able to make in their chosen field of philanthropy. A framework for existing foundations to review their objectives and how they can most effectively achieve them beyond simply grant-making. A roadmap for the increasing number of US foundations wishing to operate effectively and efficiently in European countries.
About the Author
Luc Tayart de Borms started his career at the King Baudouin Foundation in October 1983. He was promoted to Director in 1991, and in 1993 was appointed Deputy Secretary-General. He has been Managing Director since January 1996. Luc Tayart de Borms participates in several European and international organisations: President of the Network of European Foundations for Innovative Cooperation The European Foundation Centre (EFC), President, January 2000June 2002, and Vice-President, June 2002June 2004. January 2002 Member, Board of Directors, Council on Foundations, United States. Member of the Global Foundation Leaders Advisory Group, Davos. June 2004 President of the Network of European Foundations for Innovative Cooperation (NEF). Member of the Advisory Council of the European Policy Centre. 1997 Treasurer of the King Baudouin Foundation United States. He is a regular speaker at high profile international and European conferences, including the World Economic Forum (Davos). He has collaborated with several authors to write articles within the sector, including Transparency and Accountability, together with Emmanuelle Faure, published by the Bertelsman Foundation and Gabler, 2003.