A major achievement of women in higher education since the 1960s has been the growth of women's studies as a formal area of teaching and research. Philanthropy played a key role, with the Ford Foundation the source of much of the funding that helped accelerate the process of change. (SM)

The massive increase in private support of public education improvement brought important changes in the relationship between donors and applicants. The article describes the changes, noting the range of donor interests and decision-making processes. A section on lessons, trends, and dilemmas explains where the philanthropic field is headed and…

Growing academic interest in philanthropy, voluntarism, and nonprofit organizations illustrates efforts by industry to redefine its public presence by influencing universities and scholars. The paper examines efforts to evaluate the changing place of universities in public life, the processes of university change, and the effectiveness of…

Discusses efforts by charitable foundations to improve educational quality for at-risk youth. Most grants for at-risk youth are for direct services, though research/evaluation and advocacy receive considerable funding. Some foundations provide technical assistance and brokering. Recently, entrepreneurs have entered the field of educational…

Reprints a 1979 article that responded to a request from the Rockefeller Archives Center for an analysis of one foundation's activity with public schools over time. The original article traced the Ford Foundation's role in public education from 1960 through the 1970s. An addendum traces its role through the 1980s. (SM)

The Panasonic Foundation made the improvement of elementary and secondary education its primary mission. The article describes its partnership program which involved it in long-term, intensive relationships with urban school districts. Evaluation of the partnership indicates it has been central in promoting reflective thinking and educational…

Describes how the San Diego Unified School District has worked with numerous philanthropic organizations for educational reform and provides suggestions for school districts and foundations interested in working together for public school reform. Provides pertinent information on the foundations that worked with San Diego. (SM)

Examines several education-reform programs supported by the International Business Machines corporation in Charlotte, North Carolina, discussing a typology of corporate involvement, the complexities of corporate involvement, and the benefits and dangers of corporate involvement. Explains that most corporate involvement is very helpful, though some…

Discusses the Rockefellers' educational philanthropy, specifically, the Rockefeller Foundation, University of Chicago, Rockefeller University, and Spelman College. Rockefeller created the agencies to handle the identification and development of a constituency, the capability to define and redefine missions, the creation of future leadership, and…

The Panasonic Foundation provides resources for restructuring school districts. The article examines its partnership with the San Diego City School District, highlighting four schools that demonstrate promising practices and guiding principles. It describes recent partnership work on systemic issues, noting the next steps to be taken in San Diego.…

Describes the Fund for New York City Public Education, established by foundation and business leaders, which increases and channels community concern about education toward lasting improvements in the New York City school system. Its priorities include comprehensive school restructuring, professional development and incentives, school community…

Examines Chicago's governance reforms as one case of corporate influence on public school policy making. Discusses the role of local political institutions and corporate organizational resources. Corporate associations were involved in both policymaking and policy implementation. (SM)