Is Representational Philanthropy Possible? Evidence From a Review of Strategic Philanthropy’s Grant Making in Education

• In Event: The Dynamics of Philanthropy: Racialization, Representation, and Research Equity

Abstract

Philanthropies continue to play an important role in public education. In this conceptual review, I explore nonprofit representation theory’s (NRT) application to foundations as a unique nonprofit form. Using NRT, I examine examples of strategic philanthropy’s involvement in education to show that representation is constrained when strategic foundations do not embrace descriptive and substantive elements of representation in authentic ways that uphold democratic values in a multiracial society. The examples include philanthropy’s promotion of curricular models and school reform in two urban school districts. The paper concludes by offering new directions for future research in philanthropy and nonprofit representation theory.

Author

• Jeremy Martin, University of California - Berkeley