Sarah Burton Appointed as Project Manager for Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and Marshall Institute

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) and the Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship at the London School of Economics and Political Science announced the appointment of Sarah Burton as Project Officer on a joint research effort called Theory of the Foundation.

 

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors is a leading nonprofit service for global philanthropy, engaged in consulting, foundation management, project incubation, research and publishing. RPA launched the Theory of the Foundation initiative in 2013 with a goal of enhancing the capacity of foundations to align resources for effectiveness and to extend the field of knowledge about foundations as institutions.

 

Created in 2015 with the assistance of a £30 million donation from Paul Marshall, the Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship aims to improve the impact and effectiveness of private contributions to the public good. In December 2015, RPA and the Marshall Institute announced their collaboration to adapt the Theory of the Foundation initiative for European philanthropy. The next phase of research includes a specific Europe-wide focus for research and convenings, with foundations and philanthropy organizations from seven European countries in the Research Working Group.

 

“Sarah has a strong understanding of the opportunities and innovations that European foundations are pursuing as they seek to strengthen their impact and effectiveness,” said Melissa A. Berman, president of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. “We are delighted to have her as a London-based representative of the Theory of the Foundation work.”

 

Burton joins the LSE and RPA teams with senior-level experience in philanthropy as well as strategy and marketing, working across sectors and with diverse audiences. She previously served as Deputy Director of the Institute for Philanthropy (IFP), where she was responsible for research and marketing. Most recently, Burton has consulted on philanthropy to leading foundations and authored a philanthropy guide for a leading private bank. Earlier in her career she was Director of Business Development and Communications for Freshfields. Burton’s education includes an MBA from London Business School and a B.Sc. Econ (International Relations) from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

 

"Sarah brings just the right mix of experience in the not-for-profit, philanthropy and private sectors to this role,” said Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett, Co-founder and Chair of the Marshall Institute.

 

Burton will be based at the Marshall Institute, representing both organizations as part of the Theory of the Foundation initiative. Convenings and other activities for Theory of the Foundation are planned beginning in April.