Study of history of gospel rescue missions in U.S. and women who created them receives funding from Women’s Philanthropy Institute
Amanda Koch, a doctoral candidate in history at Indiana University, is the recipient of the 2016 Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, WPI officials announced today. The award will help Koch complete her dissertation on the history of gospel rescue missions, the efforts of the women who created them and their connection to the hybrid social welfare system in the United States today.
The Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy annually awards the $5,000, one-year fellowship to support research and dissertation writing that contributes to understanding of women’s philanthropy or gender differences in philanthropic behavior. WPI created the fellowship in 2009 to expand research in those fields.
Koch is the sixth recipient of the fellowship. Deborah Skolnick Einhorn received the award in 2009 for her dissertation, “Power of the Purse: Jewish Women’s Philanthropy and Social Change.” Laura Gee won the fellowship in 2010 for her dissertation on a series of studies designed to better understand how donors, especially women, choose among volunteering, fundraising and monetary donations as their preferred means of participating in philanthropy. Brent Pieper was the 2012 recipient for his cross-institutional study of women’s philanthropy initiatives at universities. Megan Springate received the fellowship in 2014 for her work on holiday houses as examples of middle-class women in philanthropy in early 20th century America. Elizabeth Dale won the fellowship in 2015 for her work on same-sex couples’ charitable decision making.
“Amanda’s research is a powerful example of the interdisciplinary nature of philanthropic studies as it integrates the study of history, religion, government, women’s history, and the history of the American welfare state,” said Dr. Debra Mesch, WPI director and Eileen Lamb O’Gara Chair in Women’s Philanthropy. “Her analysis about how women in conservative Protestant groups navigated the constraints of their societal roles to exercise leadership in religiously inspired philanthropies from the founding of the gospel missions in the 1870s through 1980 is a valuable addition to the knowledge base.”
"I am pleased by this wonderful news. The fellowship will help me finish my dissertation,” Koch said. “Scholars have given little attention to the history of rescue missions or women’s role within them. Not many women could be philanthropists who donated large fortunes to foundations, but many women of limited means could be involved in rescue missions."
About the Women’s Philanthropy Institute
The Women’s Philanthropy Institute increases understanding of women’s philanthropy through rigorous research and education, interpreting and sharing these insights broadly to improve philanthropy. By addressing significant and groundbreaking research questions and translating that research into increased understanding and improvements in practice, WPI helps to leverage new and expanded resources for the common good. Follow us on Twitter @WPIinsights and “Like” us on Facebook .
About the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The School offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter @IUPhilanthropy and “Like” us on Facebook.