Data Science for Social Good: Philanthropy and Social Impact in a Complex World

This article addresses the overlooked role of institutionalized philanthropy in Canadian public management scholarship. It identifies five key ways private "family" foundations contribute value: grantmaking, advancing social innovation, field building, shaping ideas, and advocating for policy and social change. The author assesses the contributions of Canada's largest family foundations, highlighting how philanthropy has evolved from charitable service provision to a more strategic pursuit of root causes of societal problems through scientific discovery.