Bradley Center for Philanthropy & Civic Renewal

Hudson’s Bradley Center for Philanthropy & Civil Renewal aimed to encourage foundations and charitable donors to direct more resources toward support of small, local, often faith-based grassroots associations that are the heart of a vital civil society. In its research, writing, and monthly seminars, the Center critically examined the current giving practices of American foundations, which tend to be directed toward large, expert-driven projects that often undercut, rather than support, small civic associations. It aimed to provoke conversation about the most important — and seldom discussed — issues before the nonprofit sector. It also provided practical advice and counsel to funders who are interested in designing grant-making programs that support civic renewal.

Directed by Hudson senior fellow William A. Schambra since its founding in 2003, the Center was named both for its longtime principal donor, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, and also for the National Commission on Philanthropy and Civic Renewal of 1996-97 — whose groundbreaking final report, Giving Better, Giving Smarter, inspired the Center’s inaugural conference in May 2003, “Giving Better, Giving Smarter, Six Years Later,” and informed and inspired its mission until shuttering its doors in December 2014.