Congress Should Reject the Idea of Adding New Restrictions on Charities
The current “pitchfork” climate in Washington is likely to have a spillover effect on the nonprofit world. As the White House and Congress grow more angry about lax regulations and excessive executive compensation at the nation’s businesses, the odds are that this attitude will soon lead to…
An Important Vote to Protect Charity Lobbying Rights
As the House and Senate last month approved the Serve America Act, a measure designed to greatly expand national-service opportunities and programs to recruit and manage volunteers, many people at nonprofit organizations were overjoyed by the new community-service programs that will soon be in…
By Vince Stehle
Contributor
Tough Times Require Change Throughout Philanthropy
Americans are all too familiar with the ups and downs of the tech, housing, and stock-market bubbles. Now we are learning that there has been a “nonprofit bubble,” too. The nonprofit world grew rapidly as a result of generous giving while the economy was booming. But the financial crisis has…
By GARA LAMARCHE
Contributor
It’s Time for Humble Philanthropy
American philanthropy today seems to have nothing but contempt for its traditional task of making charitable grants to support worthwhile nonprofit organizations. It now aspires instead to leverage, lobby, and lure the much larger worlds of business and government to do its bidding. Foundations…
By WILLIAM SCHAMBRA
Contributor
Does America need a new call for public service?
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Obama’s Tax Plan Must Be Opposed
To the Editor: Contrary to the comments of Diana Aviv, president of Independent Sector, in your article on President Obama’s tax plan (“A Taxing Proposition,” March 12), that “this is not so simple,” there is nothing complicated about the fact that President Obama’s plan to diminish tax breaks for…
Charities Need Support From Government
To the Editor: In his opinion piece in the March 12 issue (“Government Activism vs. Private Charity: What’s Best?”), columnist Leslie Lenkowsky falls back on the old conservative canard of an inherent conflict between government and philanthropy as sources of nonprofit support, and takes signers of…
Giving More Than Money Is Wise — but Many Grant Makers Don’t Know How
In a time of significantly reduced endowment values, foundations must look carefully at whether they are spending money in a way that accomplishes their goals. They might start with a review of their attempts to provide charities with advice on strategic planning, budgeting help, and other forms of…
By ELLIE BUTEAU and PHIL BUCHANAN
Leonore Annenberg: a Philanthropist Who Deserved Attention
Leonore Annenberg was a philanthropist par excellence, although her dedication to giving and the vast sums of her philanthropy may come as a surprise to some. As a full partner with her husband, the late Ambassador Walter Annenberg, as well as on her own, she was the embodiment of generosity and…
By VARTAN GREGORIAN
Contributor
It’s Time to Share More Information About Worthy Charities
I have a daughter in public school and a son who will be there in a couple of years. As a parent and citizen, I care about the quality of the public schools both for the sake of my children’s education and for that of our nation’s children. Millions of other parents just like me also care about…
By SEAN STANNARD-STOCKTON
Contributor