The Cambridge Dictionary defines the phrase ‘back to the drawing board’, as ‘back to the beginning of a process to start it again, because it is not working’. Everybody should listen when one of the most respected leaders in European and transatlantic philanthropy suggests a reboot of the sector. But this is not a philosophical manifesto. Van Gendt develops an agenda on the future of European philanthropy – his focus is on larger foundations and …

The model of the charitable foundation is increasingly under criticism. ‘Wealth draws envy and philanthropy draws suspicion’ is one of Hilary Pearson’s many punchy phrases. Her book about the world of Canadian foundations is a timely and thoughtful contribution to the debate. She is well placed to write the book having served 18 years as chief executive of Canada’s association for foundations. It is therefore neither an internal history of a particular foundation nor the …