The Cultures of Philanthropy: Private Foundation Governance in the USA, the UK, Germany, and Japan

22 Pages Posted: 20 Nov 2009

See all articles by Stephen Lew

Stephen Lew

Saint Catherine's College

Dariusz Wojcik

University of Oxford, St. Peter's College

Date Written: November 18, 2009

Abstract

This paper explores philanthropic finance by analysing data on the sizes and structures of the 20 highest-giving private foundations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan in 2005. It is shown that socio-cultural rather than purely economic indicators are better predictors of private foundation giving. Foundations in the four countries show similarities in terms of age, geographic scope, areas of funding and lack of performance measurement. Methods of income generation, asset management, and capital deployment however, differ significantly between countries. We suggest that while philanthropic culture and governance exist, they bear the features of national business culture and governance. Conclusions are drawn for the feasibility of competition and collaboration, as well as the use of performance metrics, among private foundations.

Keywords: economic geography, finance, philanthropy, foundation, governance, culture

Suggested Citation

Lew, Steve and Wojcik, Dariusz, The Cultures of Philanthropy: Private Foundation Governance in the USA, the UK, Germany, and Japan (November 18, 2009). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1508858 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1508858

Steve Lew (Contact Author)

Saint Catherine's College ( email )

Oxford, OX1 3UJ
United Kingdom

Dariusz Wojcik

University of Oxford, St. Peter's College ( email )

New Inn Hall Street
Oxford, OX1 2DL
United Kingdom

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