Foundation Focus: Robert
Schalkenbach Foundation
http://www.schalkenbach.org/index.html
Funding seeks to support projects that advocate ideas and programs compatible with
Henry George's philosophy of economic justice. George's central thesis was that policies should
avoid the perpetuation of unearned privilege, particularly those forms that allow economic rent,
or socially-produced surplus, to be privatized. Henry George believed economic rent should be
used for public purposes. (Economic rent is a technical concept, distinct from contract rent,
such as what tenants pay to landlords for housing.)
Georgist thought does not conform to the political philosophies of either the Left or the
Right. Georgist thought favors free markets, but we criticize the concept of absolute ownership
of land (real property other than improvements) that so often characterizes conservative and
libertarian thought. We favor policies that would create equality of opportunity, but not through
education, union organizing, economic planning, welfare programs, land reform, or other regulations
or subsidies that have been favored by progressives.
The Foundation proposes to reformulate property rights to ensure that marketgenerated
income is earned. That is quite different than allowing some income to be earned unjustly
and then redistributing all sources of income without a clear moral principle for doing so,
which is what current broad-based taxes do.
In the Foundation’s funding they are looking for applicants who have an understanding
of these issues and who recognize that Georgist philosophy represents a "third way" that is
distinct from capitalism and socialism or from progressive and libertarian ideals.
Because Georgist philosophy is not widely recognized as a comprehensive social theory
on a par with public choice theory, socialism, or progressive thought, our major aim is to enhance
the visibility and credibility of Georgism as a theoretically viable approach to analyzing
and resolving social problems.
Generally, the Foundation makes funds available in the $2000 to $6,000 range for
projects to be completed within a year.
Additional News:
Writing A Grant Proposal |
Schalkenbach Foundation |
Paraprofessional Programs |
Suicide Prevention | Financial Education
Program
| Japanese Performing Arts |
Generosity Research | SPECA Grants Program |
Disaster Resilience |
Plant Genome | Whitehall Foundation |
General Mills Foundation |
Student Achievement Grants | Georgia
Teacher Quality
|
