Foundation Newsletter: The Many Forms of Philanthropy

Despite their regular appearance in the news and underwriting announcements, foundations remain mysterious to most Americans. According to the Philanthropy Awareness Initiative, fewer than half of civically engaged Americans can name any foundation on their first try, and a mere 15 percent can cite examples of a foundation’s impact on their community. The task is complicated by the fact that America’s foundations play so many roles. In addition to making grants to nonprofit organizations, they conduct research; create new fields of inquiry; and underwrite the creation of institutions. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has played all of these roles in its forty-plus years of existence. This month, our newsletter revisits examples of past work to shine a light on some of the many activities of foundations. In an accompanying interview, Walter Hewlett, chairman of the Hewlett Foundation Board and one of its three founding directors, discusses its evolution and how he sees its role in society.