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Key research themes
1. How is governance conceptualized in philanthropic foundations, and what unique challenges does this pose compared to corporate governance?
This research theme examines the distinctive governance structures of philanthropic foundations, emphasizing the lack of owners and customers, which sets foundations apart from corporations. It investigates how foundations are governed internally and how they, in turn, exert governance influence externally—particularly through ownership stakes in corporations and grants allocation. Understanding this dual role is crucial to comprehending foundations' accountability, regulatory constraints, and their impact on corporate governance and resource distribution.
Key finding: This paper identifies that unlike corporations, philanthropic foundations have no owners or customers, leading to a unique governance model primarily governed by statutes, regulators, and boards. The study introduces a... Read more
Key finding: This work challenges the hegemonic view that grantmaking foundations in the United States are primarily private entities by emphasizing multiple dimensions—regulation, public interest pursuit, stakeholder impact, and benefit... Read more
Key finding: Analyzing the rapid financial growth of U.S. foundations in the 1990s, this paper contextualizes concerns about foundations’ societal roles and governance structures. It highlights the ongoing debate about foundations’... Read more
Key finding: This study synthesizes international scholarship to develop an integrative, multidimensional framework categorizing foundations by contextual, organizational, and strategic features. It explicates how diverse definitions and... Read more
Key finding: Offering a comprehensive overview of American foundation roles, this book underscores their institutional diversity and evolving governance models. It links governance frameworks to foundations' capacity to adapt to societal... Read more
2. What financial health conditions and management practices affect the sustainability of philanthropic foundations, especially across different cultural contexts?
This theme focuses on empirical and qualitative analyses of foundations' financial health and management approaches that impact their sustainability and operational effectiveness. It includes evaluation of financial ratios and governance in foundations in diverse environments (e.g., China, Islamic crowdfunding in Malaysia), exploring administrative costs, revenue diversification, fund management, and regulatory compliance. Investigating financial health helps understand foundations’ capacity to fulfill philanthropic missions over time.
Are the Wealthy Also Healthy? An Empirical Evaluation of the Financial Health of Chinese Foundations
Key finding: Using a large dataset (2,763 foundations, 10,102 observations), this study applies the Tuckman and Chang nonprofit financial vulnerability model to Chinese foundations, finding that approximately two-thirds were financially... Read more
Key finding: Through qualitative interviews with six Islamic DCF platforms, this pioneering study elucidates governance backgrounds including legal establishment and monitoring, alongside detailed operational financial management... Read more
Key finding: Analyzing 238 U.S. foundation tax forms (990-PF), this paper presents statistical findings on trustee compensation, revealing variability in fee practices, especially among larger foundations. It highlights governance... Read more
Key finding: This study critically reviews fundraising tactics within Canadian charities, emphasizing the evolution and diversification of fundraising methods under constrained government funding. It underscores the importance of ethical... Read more
3. How do foundations innovate internally and form strategic partnerships, and what are the implications for their effectiveness and relationship with nonprofits and governments?
This theme explores the operational and strategic dynamics of foundations, focusing on innovation in foundation programs and administration as well as evolving foundation-nonprofit and foundation-government relationships. It examines how foundations develop trust-based partnerships, adapt governance and funding strategies, and engage collaboratively to enhance social impact, thereby reshaping traditional boundaries and roles within philanthropic ecosystems.
Key finding: Studying 17 US foundations known for supporting innovation, this research identifies diverse innovations in programmatic, administrative, financial, and structural areas. It reveals that foundations actively adopting... Read more
Key finding: Based on 33 private foundation case studies, this qualitative research uncovers deeply collaborative foundation-grantee relationships characterized by mutual transparency, risk-taking, shared value creation, and flexible... Read more
Key finding: Tracing historical and contemporary U.S. foundation-government relations, this paper documents the shift from historically strained ties to novel collaborative partnerships, including ad hoc efforts during financial crises... Read more
Key finding: Through qualitative analysis, this study elucidates the dynamics of trust and reciprocity between executives and boards in sport-related charitable foundations. It highlights social exchange theory as a lens to understand... Read more