Strengthening the Social-Service Safety Net
The number of working Americans seeking aid from local social-service organizations is rising fast in cities and towns across the country. But for a growing share of Americans, help may not be available because of cutbacks in government and private spending on social services and because the…
By SCOTT ALLARD
Contributor
Ruling Could Make It Harder for IRS to Audit Religious Groups
In the latest skirmish over how much authority the government has in regulating houses of worship, a federal court in Minnesota may have given religious institutions across the nation a new defense against potential audits by the Internal Revenue Service. United States Magistrate Judge Jeffrey J.…
By Eric Kelderman
Contributor
When Help Is Not Just Around the Corner
NEW BOOKS Out of Reach: Place, Poverty, and the New American Welfare State
By Cassie J. Moore
Contributor
Ex-Gates Foundation Head to Write “Do-Gooding” Advice Column
Former Gates Foundation leader to write an advice column
By SUZANNE PERRY
Contributor
Obama Should Promote — Not Hamper — Bill Clinton
Is limiting Bill Clinton’s philanthropy wise?
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Domestic-Policy Expert Tapped as New Education Director
After 28 years of living in Washington, Barbara Chow moved this fall back to her native state, California, to become education director at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, in Menlo Park. She uprooted her life and a career largely spent in the federal government to concentrate instead on…
By nicole lewis
Contributor
Foundations’ Failure to Give More Is Inexcusable
While taxpayers, investors, homeowners, consumers, and working people are suffering from the near collapse of the financial system, foundations seem unwilling to play their part in maintaining America’s social fabric and mitigating the impact of the global economic downturn. Only a handful of…
By PABLO EISENBERG
Contributor
If You Just Follow the Latest Fad, What Happens When It Fades?
For more than a decade, the movement known as social enterprise has called on philanthropy to become more businesslike. Whether they are promoting innovation, money-making activities, efficiency, or measurement of results, advocates of social enterprise unite in urging charities to learn from the…
By JEFF TREXLER
Contributor