The Formation and Rise of Community Foundations in the United States

This book examines the experience of community foundations in the United States in historical context. It begins by setting community foundations in the context of current critiques of philanthropy and explores whether criticisms of private foundations are valid for community foundations. It examines the formation, spread, and growth of community foundations in the U.S. from 1914, when the Cleveland Foundation was established, to the present day. It examines the logics of why community foundations were started. It explores issues community foundations faced during the different periods of their development, how they responded, and how they influenced the philanthropic environment in which they operated, including the formation of community foundations outside the U.S. Filling a major gap in the history of philanthropy, this volume will be of interest to students and scholars of philanthropy, non-profit organizations, foundations and other non-profit organizations wishing to know more about community foundations, as well as policymakers, financial advisors, and estate planners.