International Encyclopedia of Foundations

(Hardback)

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Description

This volume provides information on the history and operation of major foundations located outside the United States. Unlike statistical directories that cover a limited number of foreign foundations, this book lists foundations in 31 different countries, including historical essays often written by the officers themselves. The volume offers data on individual organizations and a platform for comparing the structure and function of various foundations. The book is made up of 146 historical sketches of the most significant foundations in 31 countries, categorized by type as independent, corporation-sponsored, community or operating. Approximately half of the sketches were provided by persons within the foundations, while the remaining ones were derived from articles, correspondence, conversation and other research. Each sketch contains basic information on the founding, purpose, activities, financing, governance and location of a foundation, to the extent that it was available. Also included are three appendices, which provide topical and chronological listings of the institutions. In addition, bibliographical references to sources utilized and references for further reading are supplied at the end of each sketch.

Reviews

Includes information on 145 foundations in 31 countries, exclusive of the US. Criteria for inclusion are size of assets and amount of annual expenditures, varying by country; and age, nature, and scope of operations related to the foundation's role and significance in the country. Most of the selected foundations are independent or corporate-sponsored, but also represented are community foundations and operating foundations (the latter being foundations whose money is used to operate on-going projects rather than given as grants). Information was solicited directly from the foundations; but if it was not forthcoming, secondary sources were used. All entries contain bibliographic references or additional sources to consult for further information. The editor has been a scholar of foundations for over 35 years, and he states his belief that the encyclopedia provides enough brief histories of enough significant foundations, in enough countries, to enlarge the body of knowledge about worldwide foundations, their history, and their operations.' The encyclopedia provides more depth than The International Foundation Directory (4th ed., 1986; 1st ed., CH, May'75), and it should be considered by any library that serves international students and/or international studies.-Choice
This new work, edited by Kiger, a specialist in foundation history, inlcudes 146 sketches of major foundations in 31 countries. Detailed entries written by foundation personnel or drawn from secondary sources describe the history, purpose, activities, financing, governance, and location of each foundation. . . . This will be useful both as a reference source and a social history.-Library Journal
"This new work, edited by Kiger, a specialist in foundation history, inlcudes 146 sketches of major foundations in 31 countries. Detailed entries written by foundation personnel or drawn from secondary sources describe the history, purpose, activities, financing, governance, and location of each foundation. . . . This will be useful both as a reference source and a social history."-Library Journal
"Includes information on 145 foundations in 31 countries, exclusive of the US. Criteria for inclusion are size of assets and amount of annual expenditures, varying by country; and age, nature, and scope of operations related to the foundation's role and significance in the country. Most of the selected foundations are independent or corporate-sponsored, but also represented are community foundations and operating foundations (the latter being foundations whose money is used to operate on-going projects rather than given as grants). Information was solicited directly from the foundations; but if it was not forthcoming, secondary sources were used. All entries contain bibliographic references or additional sources to consult for further information. The editor has been a scholar of foundations for over 35 years, and he states his belief that the encyclopedia provides enough brief histories of enough significant foundations, in enough countries, to enlarge the body of knowledge about worldwide foundations, their history, and their operations.' The encyclopedia provides more depth than The International Foundation Directory (4th ed., 1986; 1st ed., CH, May'75), and it should be considered by any library that serves international students and/or international studies."-Choice

Author Bio

JOSEPH C. KIGER is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Mississippi. He is the author of numerous books, including Operating Principles of the Larger Foundations, Research Institutions and Learned Societies (Greenwood Press), and Historiographic Review of Foundation Literature.