How Foundations Can Learn to Collaborate
By STEPHEN ISAACS and JOHN RODGERSWhile many of the nation´s largest and most prominent foundations frequently insist that charities collaborate, grant makers themselves are often unable to do so. Foundations often understand in theory why a partnership with another grant maker is a good idea. When…
By JOHN RODGERS
Contributor
An assault on philanthropy’s spirit
To the Editor: Here we go again. Your article on the American Cancer Society’s Ohio Division, where a top executive allegedly embezzled nearly $7-million (“Cancer Society Officer Accused of Stealing,” June 15), raises critical issues about ethics, trust, and the future of philanthropy. Corruption,…
Intervention needed to halt gun violence
To the Editor: The response of Richard Struck to your timely article, “Stop the Shooting: Calling Foundations to Arms” (My View, June 1), shows the formidable challenge posed to all of us by the National Rifle Association’s armament of well-rehearsed “facts.” As Mr. Struck notes, education is…
Charity database on Web defended
To the Editor: GuideStar, a national database of information on charities, exists to promote philanthropy by helping donors, institutional funders, and charities become more informed, effective, and efficient. In an opinion article, Dan Prives (“Accountability Web Site: More Harm Than Good,” July…
Fund Raisers Must Change More Than Name
By IRVING WARNERIn the early 1950´s the Ford Motor Company began planning to produce a new model to fill a perceived gap in its line. Engineers, designers, craftsmen, marketers, and executives worked long hours on the project. It then occurred to someone that the new car would need a name. So, Ford…
By IRVING WARNER
Contributor
Philanthropy ‘Portals’ Pose Major Challenges for Charities
To the Editor: Congratulations to The Chronicle and Holly Hall for the in-depth article on charity online portals (“A Brave New World of Giving,” June 15). The article identified many of the issues and challenges that the rapid rise of “e-philanthropy” poses for all of us in the charity world.…
Public Accountability at Conversion Foundations
By HARRY SNYDERA new type of foundation is transforming the face of American philanthropy -- and raising new questions about how best to ensure standards of community responsiveness and relevance for all grant makers. Over $15-billion is now held by foundations that were endowed through the…
By Harry Snyder
Contributor
Ducking Debate on Repeal of Estate Tax
PABLO EISENBERGWhen President Clinton listed his reasons for wanting to veto legislation to eliminate the estate tax, charity was among his key concerns. Non-profit groups, he said, stand to lose $5-billion to $6-billion a year if donors don´t have any incentive to make gifts as a way to circumvent…
Missing the point on endowments
To the Editor: We would like to clarify our position on a few of the comments that Vince Stehle (“The Danger of Comparing Different Types of Giving,” June 15) makes in critiquing our tax-policy analysis in “Philanthropy’s New Agenda: Creating Value,” which appeared in the Harvard Business Review…
Boy Scout Troops Should Have Autonomy in Picking Members
To the Editor: Congratulations on your excellent coverage of the Supreme Court decision in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale (“A Matter of Opinion,” July 13) -- as well as your past coverage of this issue. As you report, many people involved in Scouting at the local level do not agree with the national…