Conclusion

A possibly apocryphal story tells of Benjamin Franklin, at the close of the Constitutional Convention, being asked by a lady, “Dr. Franklin, what sort of government have you given us?” “A republic, Ma'am,” replied the good doctor, “if you can keep it.” Indeed, the framers gave us a republic because they distrusted direct democracy. All three branches of that republican government—executive, legislative, judicial—plus the large institutions (such as universities and federated nonprofits) that have grown up outside of the government, have tremendous power to influence the lives of citizens. Foundations, through their policy work, can do much to ensure that this power is used to promote the common good. By bringing forward tested projects that can be brought to scale, and by reflecting and promoting the public will, foundations can help serve as an effective counterbalance to the unchecked power of the government and large institutions. Through their policy work, foundations can go a long way toward helping us keep the republic that the framers gave us.