ISSR Scholars Mentor Seminar | "The Geography of Grantmaking—Does Location Matter? Understanding Organizational and Neighborhood Effects on Foundation Philanthropy" by Dr. Heather MacIndoe

March 31, 2025 11:45 am - 1:00 pm ET
Grant Seeking
RSVP by March 20, 2025 RSVP by March 20, 2025
Thompson 620

Talk Title: "The Geography of Grantmaking—Does Location Matter? Understanding Organizational and Neighborhood Effects on Foundation Philanthropy"

Scholarship on nonprofit organizations increasingly seek to understand the role of place in the distribution of philanthropic resources, often examining whether these resources are equitably or efficiently allocated. This study applies the theory of neighborhood effects from urban sociology to analyze foundation grants awarded to community-based nonprofit organizations. Through an analysis of foundation grantmaking in Chicago, Dr. MacIndoe demonstrates that both organizational and neighborhood characteristics influence a nonprofit’s ability to secure funding. The findings indicate that nonprofits located in neighborhoods with lower poverty rates, higher nonprofit density, and evidence of government grant support are more likely to receive foundation grants. These results underscore the significance of neighborhood effects in shaping nonprofit organizations’ ability to procure philanthropic resources.

About the Speaker

Heather Macindoe headshot

Dr. Heather MacIndoe is an Associate Professor of Public Policy at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in Sociology from Stanford University. Her research applies theoretical frameworks from organizational and urban sociology to examine the social organization of the nonprofit sector. Her work has been published in leading academic journals, including the American Journal of Sociology, Sociological Forum, Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, and Nonprofit Policy Forum. Dr. MacIndoe serves as an Associate Editor for the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly and is a board member of Boston Cares, the largest volunteer service agency in New England.