Civil Society, Philanthropy, and the Fate of the Commons

The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently highlighted Bruce R. Siever's new book, Civil Society, Philanthropy, and the Fate of the Commons. "Foundations find themselves in a conundrum as they are expected to act in the public good by reducing gaps in education, health care, and the like, but are encouraged more and more to embrace market forces, writes Bruce R. Sievers, an adjunct professor for the Institute for Nonprofit Organization Management at the University of San Francisco.

Mr. Sievers, who previously served as executive director of the Walter and Elise Haas Fund in San Francisco, writes that foundations are less likely to approach social ills by valuing pluralism and collective action and are increasingly apt 'to pursue narrowly focused, self-directed programs that promise market-like results.'"

http://philanthropy.com/article/How-Philanthropy-Can-Best/65534/