Description
Book SynopsisAmerican philanthropy has historically been a solitary pursuit defined by individual donor action and fragmented, uncoordinated grantmaking. But in recent years, foundations have begun to come together in groups to take on shared initiatives and agendas. InCollaborative Philanthropies, Elwood M. Hopkinshimself the executive director of the successful collaborative Los Angeles Urban Fundersargues that these funder collaboratives are more than a collection of isolated experiments. Instead, they provide a window into a dramatic and promising new stage in the development of organized philanthropy. For anyone aspiring to play a leadership role in the philanthropic field, this book lays out a visionary blueprint for smarter, more effective philanthropy in the twenty-first century.
Trade ReviewHopkins' book should accelerate the dialogue on the possibilities inherent in closer funder collaboration among philanthropies. It offers too many examples to ignore and will, I hope, encourage foundations to look more closely at their own relations with other funders. -- David La Piana, author of Real Collaboration: A Guide for Grantmakers
This brilliant and superbly well-informed survey of philanthropic collaboration is a landmark in a field that is understudied and largely misunderstood. Elwood Hopkins has shed new light on how foundations work and has changed the conversation about philanthropy's future. -- Jan McElwee, coauthor of In Their Own Voices: What California Donors Want
Foundation collaboration will be key to the evolution of a more effective philanthropic sector. Collaborative Philanthropies brings to light key lessons and strategies of value to anyone interested in being on the leading edge in improving the lives of people and communities. -- Ben Starrett, executive director, Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Cities
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Funder Collaboratives in Context: Philanthropy As a Professional Field Chapter 2 A Tentative Trend: Illustrative Examples of Funder Collaboratives Chapter 3 Funder Collaboration As a Tool for Increasing Philanthropic Efficiency Chapter 4 Funder Collaboration As a Way to Frame Comprehensive Solutions Chapter 5 Funder Collaboratives As Vehicles for Fostering Risk-Taking Chapter 6 Funder Collaboratives As Mechanisms for Better Philanthropic Governance Chapter 7 Funder Collaboratives As Systems for Better Communications and Knowledge Management Chapter 8 Funder Collaboratives As Direction-Setters for the Foundation World Chapter 9 Conclusion: Toward a Self-Organizing Philanthropic Field
