Author Description

Adapting dialogues and presentations from the National Civic League's 103rd National Conference on Governance, this issue examines the critical role of philanthropy in building community. Areas discussed include strategic grant making, the role of foundations in influencing public policy, foundation initiatives and the dialogue on race, challenges posed by devolution and welfare reform, and the role of community foundations and regional associations of grant makers as successful models. Articles explore these themes in further detail through an examination of the importance, often overlooked, of the civic sector in national policy debates; professional obstacles within academia that may be discouraging potentially beneficial partnerships between the civic sector and universities and institutions; and the growing need for foundations and local government to provide effective and comprehensive support to grassroots community organizations. Also, in a special focus section on Civic Infrastructure, contributors argue that the mission of civic society to produce three types of capital--market, public, and social--opens up new possibilities for reconceptualizing the social contract and the kind of education we give our young people. They also explore "study circles" as a new tool for encouraging effective and lasting opportunities for civic engagement.