Summer Academy on Philanthropy 2006: “Managing Change in Foundations: Strategic Shifts in a Complex Environment”
The increasing complexity of the environment in which foundations operate has been perceived as both a menace and opportunity, and has stimulated foundations' board managers and chief executives to search for innovative philanthropic strategies. After the charity approach dominant in the 19th century and the scientific approach typical of the early and mid-20th century, foundations have started approaching philanthropy in creative new ways. After some time focusing on managing foundations efficiently, 21st century foundations are mainly focused on managing their organisations and programmes effectively in order to achieve a real social impact. This shift for impact requires foundations to design specific strategies for managing change, both externally and internally. The Summer Academy explored these new strategies for managing change, from convenor philanthropy to venture philanthropy models, and included some intermediate strategies that revisit traditional approaches to philanthropy but renew them with network building, intuition, risky learning and long-term stands on social issues.
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