Philanthropy’s Information Revolution
Two years ago, Carla Dearing, then chief executive of Community Foundations of America, wrote an opinion essay in Worth magazine titled, “The Schwabification of Philanthropy.” She argued that philanthropy was going through a transformation as the Internet not only reduced the cost of making…
By SEAN STANNARD-STOCKTON
Contributor
An Unprecedented Challenge Gives Philanthropy a Chance to End Bad Habits
These are unprecedented times in philanthropy. The economic difficulties facing our country are beginning to overwhelm and strain nonprofit organizations in profound ways, at the very time when the endowments of foundations have eroded significantly. This has, of course, stimulated important…
By James Canales
Contributor
Grant Makers Should Encourage Debate, Not Dictate It
If the foundation watchdog group National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy intended its new report “Criteria for Philanthropy at Its Best” to stir vigorous debate about the means and ends of grant making, it has succeeded beyond its wildest dreams. The major philanthropy associations,…
By WILLIAM SCHAMBRA
Contributor
Foundations Need to Think Hard About Their Blind Spots
Consider the grant portfolio of a foundation dedicated to improving the environment. This imaginary foundation supports national nonprofit groups that are pushing climate-change legislation in Congress. To make significant gains toward an environmentally sustainable future, the foundation believes,…
By AARON DORFMAN
Contributor
Why Is Global Poverty Still So Widespread?
As the most recent figures show that foundation giving to international causes has been booming, the hundreds of donors and other nonprofit leaders gathering in Washington this week for the Eighth Annual Global Philanthropy Forum Conference might have reason to be pleased. But they will probably…
By LESLIE LENKOWSKY
Contributor
A CEO Survival Guide for Tough Times
As nonprofit leaders of all organizations face big financial storms, it is important to remember that our first responsibility in navigating roiled waters is to our charitable missions, not to the comfort of the staff or board or to the continuity of operations. Most nonprofit groups will respond…
By PAT NICHOLS
Contributor
Giving Around the World Faces Recession Snags
Economic woes threaten fledgling philanthropic efforts in Africa, Asia, and Latin America — but the crisis may also contain opportunities As global wealth grew during the last two decades, so did philanthropy. New wealthy donors emerged in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and other…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
To the Editor: Anthony D. Romero’s letter (“Obama’s Tax Plan Must Be Opposed,” March 26) is dismaying. He concludes, “We need leadership ... that unequivocally rejects a government plan that would undermine the critical work being carried out by charitable organizations.” The Obama plan does not…
Wrong Ideas About What Foundations Need to Do Better
To the Editor: In your issue of February 26, Pablo Eisenberg presents a long list of reforms he asserts are needed “to improve foundation responsiveness to today’s needs” (“Now’s the Time to Push for Changes in How Foundations Operate,” Opinion). As he sees it, the impact of the current economic…
Foundation Support of Activism Is a Good Investment
A new report that documents the dollar benefits that advocacy groups provide to society should put to rest much of the anxiety that foundations have had about supporting activist nonprofit activities. At a time when the drop in endowment values has prodded foundations to look more carefully than…
By PABLO EISENBERG
Contributor