The Tenuous Place of Big Philanthropy in America'S Social Contract


Foundation: Gates Foundation, Moore Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Packard Foundation, Ford Foundation, Johnson Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Kellogg Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Helmsley Charitable Trust

credit: Barnsley

Sohrab Ahmari's new book, Tyranny, Inc.: How Private Power Crushed American Liberty and What to Do About It, isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of free enterprise.

In fact, the co-founder and editor of Compact magazine says in a press release that the book is "not comprehensive by any means."

But that doesn't mean he's done with his criticism of big, private philanthropy.

In fact, he says in a New York Times op-ed that it's time to start looking at philanthropy in a different way.

"Big philanthropy is not subject to any serious 'countervailing power' from other market participants," Ahmari writes.

"Their power hasn�t been subject to any real democratic counter pressure from policymakers, either, since the time of the 1969 Tax Reform Act."

In fact, big, private philanthropy is "tax-incentivized and has always occupied a nebulous position in the American polity neither fully public nor pristinely private in its legal structure or self-understanding, much less among the citizenry," Ahmari writes.

He argues that big, private philanthropy uses the state's coercive power for its own benefit, and he calls for a more participatory, democratic, and tax-in

Read the Entire Article


Selected Foundation News

A customized collection of news from foundations from around the Web.

Maine Hospital Names Chief Philanthropy Officer

180+ chief medical officers to know | 2025100 great community hospitals | 2024NominationsSign up for list nomination updatesPrintCurrent IssuePast Issues - Becker's Clinical...more

What We're Watching: Weekly Disaster Update, February 17

A new strain of H5N1 was detected in dairy cattle in Nevada this past week, infecting one person.An estimated 6.2 million women and girls risk exposure to different forms of gender-based violence...more

Fireaid Announces $50 Million For la Community Organizations Helping Those Impacted by Fires

FireAid announces $50 million for LA community organizations helping those impacted by fires.Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie matched every donation collected during the...more

Strategic Areas

At TransitCenter, we work in four interconnected ways: local power building, engaging and mobilizing diverse stakeholders, mobilizing philanthropy, and narrative change.We must shift the narrative so...more

UK Women &Amp; Philanthropy Network Awards $232,878 to 6 UK Academic Initiatives

The College of Medicine received $50,000 to continue its ACTION Program (Appalachian Career Training in Oncology), which provides scholarships to students from Eastern Kentucky pursuing careers in...more

The Memoir Land Author Questionnaire #79: Samra Zafar

Over the years, my work has grown to include a bestselling memoir and a soon to be released book about healing and unlearning limiting beliefs.The title of my latest book is Unconditional: Break...more

School, Business Weather Closings and Delays For Nwa and River Valley

School, business weather closings and delays for NWA and River Valley.Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette lists schools and businesses in Northwest Arkansas that have reported a plan to delay opening...more

Circle Schools Announces Leadership Transitions

Tony Holguin, current Circle Middle School Principal, will step into the role of Assistant Superintendent upon Assistant Superintendent Michael Janzen's retirement this summer.Aaron Lechien, now...more

Unicorn Theatre in London Celebrates Creative Hub With Royal Visit

Unicorn Theatre in London Celebrates Creative Hub with Royal Visit.For the first time during Rachel Bagshaw's tenure as Artistic Director, the Unicorn welcomed Royal Patron, Her Majesty The Queen.Her...more

Igniting Student Passions: Unique School Event Helps Students Explore Interests and Build ...

Biddeford High School students enjoy making diamond paintings as part of the "Passion Classes" The special day is designed to help students explore new hobbies and interests while fostering...more





Wednesday February 19, 2025

The Network of Women (NOW) For Food Security joined forces with Jamaica National Foundation’s Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI) and Food For The Poor (FFP) to provide rural women income-producing opportunities and reduce the amount of imported mushrooms.




Federal Government Grant and Assistance Programs



Edited by: Michael Saunders

© 2008-2025 Copyright Michael Saunders