Research

The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy conducts research and analysis on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. The Center's goal is to provide useful and useable knowledge in three key areas:

Changing Landscape of Philanthropy -The Center examines emerging philanthropic trends and the resulting impact on nonprofits, foundations and the community.
Philanthropic Strategies for Public Problem Solving - The Center studies ways that philanthropic organizations and individuals can develop more effective strategies for public problem solving, particularly through partnerships with nonprofits, government and business.
Philanthropic Stewardship and Public Accountability - The Center analyzes governance issues for philanthropic organizations to honor donor intent and to ensure greater accountability, as well as public policies that influence philanthropic behavior.

The Center communicates its findings through research reports and papers, and forums, roundtables and seminars.

Our work reveals a shifting philanthropic landscape; one where new and existing players are acting on a greater scale and at a faster pace. As a result, philanthropy in this century is more complex, more global, more donor-directed, and more pluralistic than ever before. This underscores the importance of educating a new generation of philanthropists, helping nonprofits understand their environment, and building the field of philanthropy.

James M. Ferris, Ph.D.Director The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy