Duke Sanford School of Public Policy

The goal of the Teaching Case Writing Program of the Center for Strategic Philanthropy and Civil Society is to create a library of decision-forcing case studies similar to those used at Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School of Government as well as other professional schools. CSPCS teaching cases describe critical decision points in the lives of foundations, dramatizing the kinds of challenges, conflicts, and dilemmas foundation executives encounter in the real world. Through analysis and discussion of cases, students gain a clearer understanding of how, why, and to what extent foundation grantmaking strategies have succeeded or failed in their intended purposes.

Case studies produced by the Teaching Case Writing Program are available, for free, through the Center’s Case Study Database. Case notes are available, also for free, to verified instructors upon request.

Barry Varela directs the Teaching Case Writing Program and can be reached at varela@duke.edu or 1-919-613-7434.