What charities can learn from political campaigns about raising funds and rallying supporters onlineEach month, 5,000 to 10,000 people who regularly read the Heritage Foundation’s news and opinion Web site ALSO SEE:» Related articles: about Charities and Elections meet in person in 150 cities to…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
How United Way Dealt With a Scandal
To the Editor: I am writing to set the record straight on the involvement of Brian A. Gallagher in assisting the United Way of the National Capital Area at a time when his help was most needed (“How United Way Handled a Scandal,” Letters, June 10). There is no doubt that fall 2002 was the worst of…
State Officials Are Trying to Hinder Fund Raising by Advocacy Charities
Assaults on nonprofit advocacy rights don’t always originate on Capitol Hill. More and more frequently, the underpinnings of nonprofit free speech and advocacy rights are under attack at the state and local government levels, where few people notice or mobilize in protest. The efforts are often…
By Rick Cohen
Contributor
Reagan’s Policies Bolstered Philanthropy Despite Protests From Nonprofit Officials
Although he entered office with greater expectations for philanthropy than perhaps any national leader since Herbert Hoover, the irony of Ronald Reagan’s presidency is that much of the nonprofit world’s leadership wound up opposing key elements of his plans to stimulate the economy and reduce the…
By LESLIE LENKOWSKY
Contributor
Protecting Donors Who Seek Anonymity
To the Editor: As a development officer, I was appalled that you printed Julia Green’s article “Is N.Y. Mayor Anonymous Carnegie Donor?” (June 10). As fund raisers, it is our job to ensure that a donor’s identity is protected if he requests that his gift remain anonymous. When a publication begins…
Nonprofit Groups Shouldn’t Try to Act Like Businesses
To the Editor: Three cheers for Pablo Eisenberg’s excellent article “The Public Loses Out When Charities Become Too Businesslike” (Opinion, June 10). It’s frustrating to constantly hear the ridiculous idea that “nonprofits should run more like businesses,” especially from the mouths of executives…
When To Lead and When To Get Out of the Way
The press pays scant attention to foundations except when trumpeting mega-grants or reporting on scandals involving bad management or the exorbitant sums paid to some foundation officials and trustees. These are undoubtedly important issues. Philanthropy is a public trust, and some individuals in…
By GARA LAMARCHE
Contributor
How United Way Handled a Scandal
To the Editor: For more than 20 years I held professional positions with the Alexandria United Way of the United Way of the National Capital Area, in Washington. I read with interest the recent, highly flattering article on Brian A. Gallagher, president and chief executive officer of the United Way…
The Public Loses Out When Charities Become Too Businesslike
The business culture that began sweeping the nonprofit world two decades ago has sunk its roots dangerously deep. Fueled by cuts in government funds, a desperation for money, the pressure of donors, and the myth of corporate-management efficiency, the idea that charitable organizations should…
By PABLO EISENBERG
Contributor
Involvement in Election Politics Is Good for Charities
To the Editor: Given my long history of arguing for campaign-finance reform, it takes a lot to get me to promote political contributions. It was provided, however, by Trent Stamp in his misguided Opinion piece (“Invest in Charities, Not Political Campaigns,” April 29). Under a better electoral…