Are Foundation–Business Partnerships Virtuous? Stakeholder Perceptions and Societal Impacts

Justification of research project

This project explores partnerships between foundations and private companies, focusing on their effects on stakeholder perceptions and their potential for societal transformation. In the first phase, researchers will conduct a systematic literature review to develop a framework for analyzing corporate philanthropy and the legitimacy of such collaborations. The second phase will involve a qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews with foundation managers, donors, and volunteers in the environmental sector. The aim is to understand how these partnerships affect the image of foundations, donor behavior, and corporate social responsibility. By examining expectations and concerns surrounding these alliances, the project seeks to identify conditions under which partnerships can become truly virtuous. The findings will inform both academic discourse and practice, with deliverables including a research report, infographics, public-facing content, and scholarly publications.

Research question

How do partnerships between foundations and private companies affect the perceptions of donors, volunteers, and managers, and can they truly drive corporate behaviors toward greater social and environmental responsibility?

Research purpose

This project investigates partnerships between foundations and private companies, with a focus on the field of environmental philanthropy. It seeks to understand how these collaborations influence the perceptions of key stakeholders—including donors, volunteers, and foundation managers—and whether such partnerships can truly drive positive social and environmental transformation. The research explores the perceived legitimacy of these alliances and their tangible impacts on both foundations and corporate partners. Adopting a critical and transformative lens, the study aims to identify the conditions under which corporate philanthropy becomes genuinely virtuous and contributes meaningfully to the missions of nonprofit organizations.

Research approach

Phase 1 : (December to Febuary)

• Systematic litterature review
• Conception of tool of qualitative data collection (guides d’entretien)

Phase 2 : (March to July)

• 8 interviews with foundation managers (40–50 min)
• 15 interviews with volunteers and donators (15 min)
• qualitative analysis assisted by artificial intelligence
• Production of the scientific paper