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Oral history interview with Geraldine P. Mannion, 2012.

Creator: Mannion, Geraldine P., 1955-
Project: Carnegie Corporation project. Pt. 3.
(see all project interviews)
Phys. Desc. :transcript 195 pages. + index. sound recording 1 digital audio file (157 min.). video recording 1 digital video file (119 min.). video recording 1 digital video file (97 min.).
Location: Columbia Center for Oral History
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Biographical Note

Program Director, U.S. Democracy and Special Opportunities Fund, National Program, Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Scope and Contents

Transition from leadership of David A. Hamburg to Vartan Gregorian: hiring and interaction of new staff, development of new grant review process, clash of workplace cultures, management of funds; work on immigration reform: impact of September 11, 2001, founding of Four Freedoms Fund, impact of NumbersUSA in 2007, four-pillar strategy for advocacy, Carnegie Corporation goals and nonpartisanship, current collaborations; Carnegie Corporation connection with unions; organization of programs and grants; idea of philanthropic freedom; evolution of U.S. Democracy and Special Opportunities Fund; impressions of Alan J. Pifer; influence of people and other foundations on grantmaking; need for short- and long-term planning in philanthropy; discussion of voter registration: importance of registration, nonpartisanship, existing problems; political power of grantees; need for improved civic education; campaign finance reform; civic integration and engagement of immigrants; Carnegie Corporation collaboration with Muslim organizations; need for education about cultural differences; influence of personal background: parents' emigration from Ireland to England, emigration with family from England to New York, childhood in Brooklyn and Bronx; importance of immigrant community; importance and difficulty of naturalization; personal career path: education, job as program secretary at Rockefeller Foundation, training and need for improved training programs, benefits of working in philanthropy, value of being a generalist; impact and legacy of current work; discussion of how grantees are chosen; evaluation of program success: experience at Rockefeller and Ford foundations, outcome and usefulness, purpose of evaluation, metrics for evaluation; grantmaking: funding needs of nonprofits, project and program grants, general support, comparison of conservative and liberal foundations' strategies, long-term commitment to issues; relationship with trustees: impressions of past chairs, recollection of board discussions, recent meeting on immigration, impressions of board and board members; current state of philanthropy: discussion of Gates Foundation, employee turnover and experience.

Subjects

Access Conditions

Copyright by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, 2013. The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York hold a non-exclusive license to enable library activities.

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