Foundation successes and failures: Implications for policy and management

With philanthropic foundations having grown in numbers and significance, the question of what makes for the success and failure of their projects and activities becomes increasingly relevant. The Hertie School’s research project “Foundation successes and failures: Implications for policy and management” develops and compiles 20 case studies across a range of foundation fields in seven different countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. The primary intended purpose of the study is for it to be used by foundation boards, for foundation staff training and for executive education. The vignettes are designed to serve teaching purposes in master-level programmes at universities, particularly in public policy and business schools. For example, Harvard Business School has used several as teaching cases. A fuller analysis in the form of a book – published by Helmut K. Anheier and Diana Leat (London: Routledge) – is forthcoming in 2019.