Overview

Charitable foundations are being called upon to operate in more open and democratic ways and to involve a more diverse constituency. This unprecedented study details the inner workings of a democratically organized philanthropy, where funding decisions are made by community activists. Susan A. Ostrander spent two years doing intensive field research at the Haymarket People's Fund a small, Boston-based foundation. Based on a philosophy of raising and giving away money called ""Change Not Charity,"" the Fund makes grants to local grassroots social change organizations. The world of social movement funding comes alive with Ostrander's description of grantmaking, policy meetings, donor events, and the day-to-day work of the Fund staff. Within this fascinating behind-the-scenes account, Ostrander argues that the ""social relations of philanthropy"" are more important and more varied than previously understood. Written at a time when Haymarket was dealing with crisis, this book tells a story of organizational change as the Fund moved from an informal collective to a more formal structure; it is also the story of a struggle to build a multi-race, multi-class, gender-equal organization.Ostrander details these ongoing struggles and addresses the larger issue of how fundraising can itself be a kind of social movement organizing among the progressive people with wealth who continue to be Haymarket's main donors. Author note: Susan A. Ostrander is Professor of Sociology at Tufts University and author of Women of the Upper Class (Temple).

Full Product Details

9781566393645

Table of Contents

Reviews

In her pioneering new book, Susan Ostrander provides a thoroughly researched and elegantly written case study of the Haymarket Foundation and of social movement philanthropy. This fascinating and much needed sociological ethnography stands out because of its importance to the field as well as its readability for activists and scholars alike. I will be recommending it to my colleagues and members. --Teresa Odendahl ...an outstandingly insightful study... [This book] deserves the attention of readers concerned about the future of traditions of giving and volunteering in America. --ARNOVANEWS Susan Ostrander gives us fascinating insights into a small but noteworthy slice of the philanthropic pie--the public foundation committed to social change. Through an intimate examination of the inner workings of Haymarket People's Fund over more than two years, she sheds light on one of the fundamental issues for the foundation field generally: the enduring power of money to coopt the very groups or issues that donors seek to liberate... Money for Change makes an important contribution to the literature about grantmaking institutions. It is also a thought-provoking commentary on fundraising that should stimulate healthy debate in the funding community. --Sarah L. Engelhardt, President, The Foundation Center There has been a profound tension in social movement philanthropy between the popular movements that need support and the wealthy donors who control the purse strings. In this highly original and insightful book, Susan Ostrander shows how Haymarket People's Fund has overcome this clash by putting philanthropic decision-making into the hands of the movement activists and making the donors into movement activists. --Craig Jenkins, Professor of Sociology, Ohio State University

In her pioneering new book, Susan Ostrander provides a thoroughly researched and elegantly written case study of the Haymarket Foundation and of social movement philanthropy. This fascinating and much needed sociological ethnography stands out because of its importance to the field as well as its readability for activists and scholars alike. I will be recommending it to my colleagues and members. --Teresa Odendahl ...an outstandingly insightful study... [This book] deserves the attention of readers concerned about the future of traditions of giving and volunteering in America. --ARNOVANEWS Susan Ostrander gives us fascinating insights into a small but noteworthy slice of the philanthropic pie--the public foundation committed to social change. Through an intimate examination of the inner workings of Haymarket People's Fund over more than two years, she sheds light on one of the fundamental issues for the foundation field generally: the enduring power of money to coopt the very groups or issues that donors seek to liberate... Money for Change makes an important contribution to the literature about grantmaking institutions. It is also a thought-provoking commentary on fundraising that should stimulate healthy debate in the funding community. --Sarah L. Engelhardt, President, The Foundation Center There has been a profound tension in social movement philanthropy between the popular movements that need support and the wealthy donors who control the purse strings. In this highly original and insightful book, Susan Ostrander shows how Haymarket People's Fund has overcome this clash by putting philanthropic decision-making into the hands of the movement activists and making the donors into movement activists. --Craig Jenkins, Professor of Sociology, Ohio State University

Author Information

Susan A. Ostrander is Professor of Sociology at Tufts University and author of Women of the Upper Class (Temple).

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