Academics’ Research Was Mischaracterized
To the Editor: We are happy that our research sparked the debate published in Pablo Eisenberg’s column (“Academic Centers Don’t Develop Charity Leaders,” Opinion, March 25) and the ensuing letters. We always welcome a lively debate. However, we need to clarify a few misstatements regarding our…
More Ways to Curtail Executive Turnover
To the Editor: I read Domenica Marchetti’s articles “Managing Turnover at the Top” and “Charities Face Mounting Challenges in Hiring and Retaining Executives” (June 3) with great interest. I applaud the fact that the high rate of executive turnover in the non-profit sector, and the related turmoil…
Let CEO Help to Pick Successor
To the Editor: Your article “Managing Turnover at the Top” (June 3) reinforces the importance of a clearly defined role for the chief executive as his or her successor is being chosen. In my 32-year career as a non-profit C.E.O. -- the last 14 years at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America -- I have…
Donors’ Assets — Where the Money Is
We are in the midst of a revolution. No, not the changes brought about by the Internet, though that is a part of it. This revolution is in the ownership of assets, and it will have a profound effect on the ability of charities to thrive in the decades ahead. In short, asset ownership is rapidly…
By David Cay Johnston
Contributor
Story on Conversion of Student-Loan Groups Lacked Balance
To the Editor: We at the Nellie Mae Foundation were surprised that your June 17 article “Another Conversion Bonanza?” included so little of the viewpoints of the student-loan organizations and their new foundations, and so little of our actual activities. We were especially surprised that this…
Grant Makers: Adapt to Change, but Don’t Lose Values
As we approach the 21st century, we need to remind ourselves about the three basic values that undergird philanthropy and foundations -- generosity, experimentation, and freedom. Because they are so basic, and perhaps taken for granted, we may not be sufficiently alert to forces affecting them. One…
By SUSAN BERRESFORD
Contributor
Planned-giving scheme lets donors and their heirs shelter huge assets and control the funds; critics call it a tax dodge Financial advisers are promoting a controversial planned-giving tool as a boon both to wealthy people and to charities, one that rewards non-profit groups far better than do…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
Let the New Age of Accountability Begin
To the Editor: The Internal Revenue Service’s public-disclosure rules had a healthy period for review and public comment regarding the disclosure of informational tax returns, called Forms 990, to the public. Now, as the implementation is about to begin, some want amendments (“I.R.S. Disclosure…
Planting the Seeds of an Excellent Idea
To the Editor: Endowing species is a wonderful concept in helping preserve and protect the biodiversity of this planet (“Endowing a Species: a New Frontier for Donors,” My View, May 6). As authors John Davis and David Rothenberg mentioned, the idea is not without precedent. In fact, donors have…
The Key to Better Research on Charitable Giving: More Financial Support
To the Editor: We would like to thank The Chronicle for calling attention to the need for more financial support for good research about the non-profit sector (“Report’s Numbers Are No True Measure of Charity, Critics Say,” June 3). The article on Giving USA also makes a strong case for the value…