Organized philanthropy is an intervention, not an easy act of charity. The GoodWork Study
of Philanthropy goes beyond the assumption that all philanthropic interventions are by
definition good and examines more carefully what it means to do excellent, ethical, and
engaging work in the field of philanthropy. Interviews were conducted with 165
individuals working in philanthropy or in nonprofit organizations supported by foundations.
In both phases of the project, participants were chosen for interviews because of their
professional success and/or their reputations within the field, or because of their involvement
with the nonprofit organizations in the case studies.
In Phase I of the study (2001-2003), we focused on the work of large, traditional foundations.
We interviewed 36 individuals involved in major foundations, including donors, board
members,
foundation presidents, and program officers.
In Phase II (2003-2005), we expanded our inquiry in several ways:
- Emerging trends: We investigated five emerging trends in philanthropy: venture
philanthropy, donor advised funds, electronic philanthropy, the funding of social
entrepreneurs, and the funding of ideas.
- Case studies of funder-grantee relationships: We conducted four case studies
of nonprofit organizations and their funders to examine the impact that multiple
funding streams can have on an organization.
- Change in philanthropy: In order to understand how change occurs in the
philanthropic world, we conducted two case studies of individual foundations that
were in the process of restructuring their philanthropic giving. We also interviewed
change agents—individuals leading major change efforts at their foundations.
- Donors: We interviewed individual philanthropic donors to assess the impact that
philanthropic giving has on their lives.
