The Foundations of Civil Society

This report presents findings from a review of Atlantic’s grantmaking between 1984-2001 to support the fields of nonprofits, philanthropy, and volunteering in the United States.

Author Tony Proscio interviewed some three dozen nonprofit scholars and practitioners to gather their insights and observations about how Atlantic’s $200 million in grants contributed to improving the use of data, bolstered scholarship and strengthened infrastructure institutions in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. They also shared their thoughts on investments the foundation made in human capital, volunteerism, and to expand philanthropy.

According to Proscio, Atlantic’s contribution during the period the report reviews “was unparalleled in its breadth, dollar volume, and perseverance.”

Atlantic commissioned this report.