Abstract:

Published as No. 12 in the Contributions to the Study of Aging series (Erdman B. Palmore, series adviser), presented in 7 Chpts & an Appendix, with a Foreword by M. N. Maxey, & a Preface & Introduction by the author, this vol explores the contributions of U.S. private foundations to gerontological programs & research in the face of a rapidly increasing elderly population. Introduction: Charity for the Few, for the Many. (1) A Mistrust of Trusts: Early Benefactions to Science-describes the social, legal, & philosophical limitations that constrained scientific patronage in the nineteenth century, examines the evolution of major private foundations, & shows how they contributed to the development of the social sciences, particularly sociology, anthropology, & social work. (2) Kin and Nonkin: The Gradual Life Cycle of Early Foundations-examines the growth of seven major foundations & their involvement in research: Carnegie Corp of New York, Commnwealth Fund, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Milbank Memorial Fund, New York Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, & Russell Sage Foundation. (3) Charity, Sociology, Ethnography-chronicles the influence of foundation philanthropy on the growth of social sciences, emphasizing how it promoted independent research & departmental specialization within these disciplines. (4) The Unreclaimed Land: Social Gerontology as Area Study-outlines the evolution of gerontological studies on the basis of the number of doctoral degrees granted & topics covered in dissertations, & describes current personnel, training, & research needs/demands. (5) Entering the Aging Mode: Social Gerontology and the Universities-identifies factors in the U.S. system of higher education that support the growth of social gerontology, & explores the implications of this for research funding. (6) The Calculus of Charity: Funding for Social Gerontology-examines how foundation support for biogerontological research has been accompanied by increased subventions to the establishment & maintenance of community service programs for the elderly. (7) Facing Age Neutrally-summarizes the four major theoretical perspectives that have guided recent gerontological research-disengagement, activity theory, cross-cultural differences in age-grading, & the impact of modernization processes-& then discusses their similarities & differences & predicts future avenues for the entry of private foundations into research in this area. Appendix: National Foundations Giving Grants to Social Gerontology Research.