Foundations Utilize Social Work Skills
Profession is Ideally Suited for
Leading Philanthropic Organizations
“I’ve learned foundations really do
have an important role to play in our society.”
By Paul R. Pace, News Staff
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| Illustration: John Michael Yanson |
There are
thousands of foundations in the U.S. Every year, these institutions decide
where to donate billions of dollars to various charitable causes, research
projects and scientific endeavors.
Being a
leader or a board member of a foundation may not appear to be a typical career
path for a social worker, but the social workers involved in philanthropy who
spoke to the News said they found the job personally engaging and
professionally rewarding. They also noted that more social workers need to
consider being part of the charity sector.
According
to the Foundation Center, a foundation is a nonprofit corporation or a
charitable trust with the principal purpose of making grants to unrelated
organizations or institutions. In some cases, the benefactors may be
individuals who receive funds for scientific, educational, cultural, religious
or other charitable purposes. Foundations may be either private or public
entities. In a private foundation, the funds come from one source, whether it be a person, family or corporation. A public foundation, in
contrast, usually receives its assets from multiple sources, which may include
private foundations, individuals and government agencies. Moreover, a public
foundation must continue to seek money from diverse sources in order to retain
its public status.
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From September 2008 NASW News. © 2008 National
Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. NASW News
articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of
copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies
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promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.
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