Comparative information detailing the cultural, legal and historical environments of foundations in international settings has been scarce - until now. Written by scholars from six countries, this text covers philanthropic foundations in the world's busiest commercial centers - the U.S. and Eastern and Western Europe. It reports on the structures and mindsets that shape foundations' gift giving, and discusses different aspects of foundation management. Case studies of the French and Italian foundation communities and a comparative legal chapter are especially notable.

Autorentext
Professor Helmut K.Anheier ist seit 2009 Professor of Sociology und Dean der Hertie School of Governance. Seit 2006 ist er darüber hinaus als Professor für Soziologie an der Universität Heidelberg tätig, wo er das Centrum für soziale Investitionen und Innovationen (CSI) mitbegründete und weiterhin leitet.

Inhalt
I. Introduction.- 1. Philanthropic Foundations: An International Perspective.- II. Comparative Studies.- 2. The History of Foundations in the United Kingdom and the United States: Philanthropic Foundations in Industrial Society.- 3. A Comparative Legal Analysis of Foundations: Aspects of Supervision and Transparency.- 4. Foundations in Germany and the United States: A Comparative Analysis.- III. Management And Organization.- 5. British Foundations: The Organization and Management of Grantmaking.- 6. The Behavior of Grantmaking Foundations: Toward a New Theoretical Frame.- 7. Toward an Entrepreneurial Approach to Foundation management.- 8. Operating in a Grantmaking World: Reassessing the Role of Operating Foundations.- IV. Country Studies.- 9. Foundations in France.- 10. Foundations in Italy.- 11. Foundations in Germany and Their Revival in East Germany after 1989.- 12. Rebuilding Civil Society in Eastern and Central Europe: The Role Played by Foundations.- V. Conclusion.- 13. Why Study Foundations?.