The American Foundations Oral History Project consists of a series of interviews with prominent American philanthropists, each of whom relates their background, the development of their values, and their philosophies of philanthropy. The purpose and state of American philanthropy, including those family foundations and corporate foundations, form a central topic, as do the recent trend of increasing diversity and opinions on grant evaluation and philanthropic assessment. In addition, many interviewees comment on the role of government in philanthropy and the system of ethics at play in American philanthropy.
Peter Buchanan, president of CASE, or Council for Advancement and Support of Education, discusses his background, education, and career, and how each of these have influenced his philosophy of, and practical implications about, philanthropy. He emphasizes his years as a student and administrator at Columbia University in the late nineteen sixties and early seventies as a time when his values and perspective were significantly shaped and cemented. Buchanan stresses the need for philanthropic gifts for education, the importance of fundraising for education, the crisis in education, and his fears for the future of corporate philanthropy.
Dennis A. Collins, president of the James Irvine Foundation, discusses his childhood, familial influences, and education and how each of these made an impact on his philosophy of philanthropy. Specifically, Collins emphasizes the differences between east coast and west coast philanthropy, and speaks of the unique characteristics of California and its population as factors that foundations must recognize and respond to accordingly. He stresses the importance of diversity in this context and also the need for and difficulties involved in foundation assessment or evaluation.
Sara Engelhardt discusses her childhood, family background, education, values, and career at the Carnegie Foundation in this interview. She speaks of her philosophy of philanthropy and the ethics involved in this field. In addition, she discusses the purpose of the Foundation Library Center, her vision for the future, the impact of the 1969 Tax Reform Act on philanthropy, philanthropic abuse, and the importance of diversity in philanthropy.
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