Handbook on Philanthropy and Social Policy
Published on 13. June 2025
Book
Hardback
428 pages
978-1-0353-0984-9 (ISBN)
Description
This comprehensive Handbook considers the emergence of philanthropic foundations and institutions as increasingly crucial social policy actors. It presents an interdisciplinary examination of modern philanthropies, tracing their development and impact across global regions, social policy sectors and policy making processes.
Leading international scholars discuss the key concepts and debates surrounding social policy and philanthropy, exploring how substantial donations made by wealthy families, individuals, foundations and corporations (characterised as Big Philanthropy) have created a more complex form of social welfare. Chapters outline the work of philanthropic organisations across fields such as health, education, housing and climate change mitigation and across multilateral development forums. Specific attention is paid to the impact of philanthropy in the Global South through the analysis of detailed case studies, including the role of the Ford Foundation in China's reform era and the influence of the Tata Group in India. Ultimately, the Handbook provides an innovative and critical perspective on the nature of philanthropic actors in different social policy arenas, their normative influence on policy processes and dynamics, and the restructuring of contemporary welfare states.
Students and scholars of social policy, philanthropy and development studies will benefit greatly from this new Handbook. It is also an invaluable resource for policy makers and practitioners working with philanthropic organisations.
Leading international scholars discuss the key concepts and debates surrounding social policy and philanthropy, exploring how substantial donations made by wealthy families, individuals, foundations and corporations (characterised as Big Philanthropy) have created a more complex form of social welfare. Chapters outline the work of philanthropic organisations across fields such as health, education, housing and climate change mitigation and across multilateral development forums. Specific attention is paid to the impact of philanthropy in the Global South through the analysis of detailed case studies, including the role of the Ford Foundation in China's reform era and the influence of the Tata Group in India. Ultimately, the Handbook provides an innovative and critical perspective on the nature of philanthropic actors in different social policy arenas, their normative influence on policy processes and dynamics, and the restructuring of contemporary welfare states.
Students and scholars of social policy, philanthropy and development studies will benefit greatly from this new Handbook. It is also an invaluable resource for policy makers and practitioners working with philanthropic organisations.
Reviews / Votes
'The Handbook is a significant and timely addition to the field of philanthropic studies. The editors offer both a much needed conceptual framework and a coherent set of high-quality essays that examine philanthropy in different policy fields and from perspectives that assess its contributions and potential as well as shortcomings and critiques. It also stands out due to the impressive, and urgently required, coverage of philanthropy in the Global South.' -- Helmut Anheier, Hertie School, Germany and University of California, Los Angeles, USA 'This Handbook is a much needed and fascinating contribution on actors and patterns of global philanthropy as an element of transnational social policy. A must-read for any scholar seeking to understand social policy provision in the context of a global distribution of wealth, ideas and power.' -- Alexandra Kaasch, Bielefeld University, Germany 'This edited volume makes an excellent contribution to the emerging field of philanthropic studies and develops the concept of "philanthropic welfare" to consider the relationship and impact of philanthropy on social policy. It provides a comprehensive and encompassing discussion of philanthropy in various policy sectors (e.g., housing, health, education) and most importantly and uniquely, it also expands the focus to include discussions of philanthropy in the Global South. This is a bold book, that doesn't shy away from examining the critiques of philanthropy but engages with the critiques thoughtfully, rigorously, and in a nuanced manner. This book will become a key text for all those interested in understanding the role as well as the potential and challenges of philanthropy in the context of social policy.' -- Armine Ishkanian, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK 'This wide ranging, erudite and up to date book will be an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the relationship between philanthropy and social policy. Introducing work by a diverse group of leading international authors in the field, it provides concise and provocative overviews that offer detailed insights into important questions. Whether you welcome our increasing reliance on philanthropy for meeting social needs or whether you distrust its growing power and influence, this thoughtful critical volume offers genuine illumination.' -- David Lewis, London School of Economics and Political Science, UKMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 169 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-0984-9 (9781035309849)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Edited by Roosa Lambin, Research Associate, University of Oxford; Visiting Research Fellow, The Open University, Jonathan Roberts, Professor, Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship, London School of Economics and Political Science and Rebecca Surender, Senior Research Fellow, University of Oxford, UK
Content
Contents
PART I Social Policy and Philanthropy: Origins and Progression
1 Introduction to the Handbook on Philanthropy and Social Policy 2
Roosa Lambin, Jonathan Roberts and Rebecca Surender
2 Conceptualising 'philanthropic welfare': definitions and analysis 21
Rebecca Surender
PART II Sectors, Services, and Policy Instruments
3 Philanthropy in the health sector: a mixed blessing? 38
Roosa Lambin and Amrit Virk
4 Philanthropic giving to education: private interests versus public good 59
Natasha Ridge and Vehbi Tandogan
5 Philanthropy and housing in the United States 79
Patrick Oberle
6 Philanthropy, market creation, and enterprise development 91
Jonathan Roberts
7 Philanthropy and gender equality: giving to women in an era of empowerment lite 108
Catia Gregoratti
8 Philanthropy and financial inclusion 122
Juvaria Jafri
9 Philanthropy, climate action, and the 2 per cent 135
Edouard Morena
10 Philanthropy and Social Impact Bonds: financialisation of welfare politics? 147
Manuel Wirth and Christian Berndt
PART III The Role and Impact of Philanthropy in the Global South
11 The Ford Foundation in China's reform era: philanthropic policy influence in the global South 163
Yanfei Hu and Gavin Hilson
12 Tata Group and welfare in India: the role of philanthropy in nation-building 178
Pranjali Das
13 The rising influence of philanthropy in education across South America: 'new' private actors in Argentina and Brazil 194
Ivan Matovich
14 Philanthropy and humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria 219
Danladi Abah and Solomon Kofi Amoah
15 Philanthropy in the Middle East and North African region: a comparative perspective from Iran, Lebanon, and Tuerkiye 237
Rana Jawad, Ali Akbar Tajmazinani and Pinar Cuhadar
16 Philanthropy, agriculture, and social development: lessons from the long Green Revolution 253
Sally Brooks
PART IV Critical Issues and Emerging Debates
17 Philanthropy and global social governance organizations and processes 270
Jeremy Youde
18 Philanthropy, tax, and social policy: muting plural voices in the pursuit of social welfare? 284
Ian Murray
19 Philanthropy and shifting patters of welfare state governance in advanced economies: the case of Italy 301
Lavinia Bifulco and Davide Caselli
20 'Philanthropy capture' of social policy in India's weakening democracy 314
Prabhir Vishnu Poruthiyil and Arun Kumar
21 Philanthropy and power: African non-governmental organisations navigating relationships with Northern foundations 325
Gabrielle E. L'Esperance and Angela M. Eikenberry
22 Exploring philanthrocapitalists' ideas in the public discourse 342
Kevin Farnsworth and Zoe Irving
23 The social justice approach in philanthropy 360
Jonathan Roberts and Swatee Deepak
24 In defence of philanthropy: why social policy needs to engage with critiques of private giving 379
Beth Breeze
PART I Social Policy and Philanthropy: Origins and Progression
1 Introduction to the Handbook on Philanthropy and Social Policy 2
Roosa Lambin, Jonathan Roberts and Rebecca Surender
2 Conceptualising 'philanthropic welfare': definitions and analysis 21
Rebecca Surender
PART II Sectors, Services, and Policy Instruments
3 Philanthropy in the health sector: a mixed blessing? 38
Roosa Lambin and Amrit Virk
4 Philanthropic giving to education: private interests versus public good 59
Natasha Ridge and Vehbi Tandogan
5 Philanthropy and housing in the United States 79
Patrick Oberle
6 Philanthropy, market creation, and enterprise development 91
Jonathan Roberts
7 Philanthropy and gender equality: giving to women in an era of empowerment lite 108
Catia Gregoratti
8 Philanthropy and financial inclusion 122
Juvaria Jafri
9 Philanthropy, climate action, and the 2 per cent 135
Edouard Morena
10 Philanthropy and Social Impact Bonds: financialisation of welfare politics? 147
Manuel Wirth and Christian Berndt
PART III The Role and Impact of Philanthropy in the Global South
11 The Ford Foundation in China's reform era: philanthropic policy influence in the global South 163
Yanfei Hu and Gavin Hilson
12 Tata Group and welfare in India: the role of philanthropy in nation-building 178
Pranjali Das
13 The rising influence of philanthropy in education across South America: 'new' private actors in Argentina and Brazil 194
Ivan Matovich
14 Philanthropy and humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria 219
Danladi Abah and Solomon Kofi Amoah
15 Philanthropy in the Middle East and North African region: a comparative perspective from Iran, Lebanon, and Tuerkiye 237
Rana Jawad, Ali Akbar Tajmazinani and Pinar Cuhadar
16 Philanthropy, agriculture, and social development: lessons from the long Green Revolution 253
Sally Brooks
PART IV Critical Issues and Emerging Debates
17 Philanthropy and global social governance organizations and processes 270
Jeremy Youde
18 Philanthropy, tax, and social policy: muting plural voices in the pursuit of social welfare? 284
Ian Murray
19 Philanthropy and shifting patters of welfare state governance in advanced economies: the case of Italy 301
Lavinia Bifulco and Davide Caselli
20 'Philanthropy capture' of social policy in India's weakening democracy 314
Prabhir Vishnu Poruthiyil and Arun Kumar
21 Philanthropy and power: African non-governmental organisations navigating relationships with Northern foundations 325
Gabrielle E. L'Esperance and Angela M. Eikenberry
22 Exploring philanthrocapitalists' ideas in the public discourse 342
Kevin Farnsworth and Zoe Irving
23 The social justice approach in philanthropy 360
Jonathan Roberts and Swatee Deepak
24 In defence of philanthropy: why social policy needs to engage with critiques of private giving 379
Beth Breeze