New Books Network artwork

Olivier Zunz, “Philanthropy in America: A History” (Princeton UP, 2014)

New Books Network

English - June 16, 2014 06:00 - 32 minutes - ★★★★ - 123 ratings
News Arts politics culture news comedy health entrepreneur business entrepreneurship leadership interview Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed


Olivier Zunz is the author of Philanthropy in America: A History (Princeton University Press 2014). The paperback addition of the book has recently been published with a new preface from the author. Zunz is Commonwealth Professor of History at the University of Virginia.

The book tracks the origins of philanthropy in America as a pact between the very rich and reformers. This was a movement that began in the Northeast, but then spread to the South where the construction of schools for African American children dominated the philanthropic agenda. The book also unearths the historic legal precedents related to how nonprofit organizations are regulated today, the introduction of tax exemption, and prohibitions on lobbying. In sum, Zunz places philanthropy, big and small, into the center of a conversation about the development of American democratic practices. It is a worthy ready for those interested in American politics, the role of the US in world affairs, and the nonprofit sector.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Olivier Zunz is the author of Philanthropy in America: A History (Princeton University Press 2014). The paperback addition of the book has recently been published with a new preface from the author. Zunz is Commonwealth Professor of History at the University of Virginia.


The book tracks the origins of philanthropy in America as a pact between the very rich and reformers. This was a movement that began in the Northeast, but then spread to the South where the construction of schools for African American children dominated the philanthropic agenda. The book also unearths the historic legal precedents related to how nonprofit organizations are regulated today, the introduction of tax exemption, and prohibitions on lobbying. In sum, Zunz places philanthropy, big and small, into the center of a conversation about the development of American democratic practices. It is a worthy ready for those interested in American politics, the role of the US in world affairs, and the nonprofit sector.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guests