On-Line Classes Hold Hidden Advantages
To the Editor: I read with interest your article about learning on line (“Internet Classes Click for Charities,” March 11). I was one of the first students in the George Mason University non-profit certification program’s on-line classes. Russ Cargo taught the introduction to non-profit management.…
For Foundations, Concern Amid the Celebration
As the Council on Foundations observes its 50th anniversary this week in New Orleans, the assembled grant makers can be expected to take great satisfaction in how hearty their world looks today. Indeed, over the past 30 years, organized philanthropy has overcome a set of legal questions from both…
By LESLIE LENKOWSKY
Contributor
Columnist Didn’t Do His Homework on Academic Centers
To the Editor: In his March 25 column (“Academic Centers Don’t Develop Charity Leaders,” Opinion), Pablo Eisenberg is correct to point out the increasing role of non-profit academic centers in preparing managers for non-profit organizations, but he seriously mischaracterizes the programs those…
Venture Capital and Philanthropy: a Bad Fit
An increasing number of foundations like to think of themselves as venture capitalists, investing in new organizations and helping them grow. The comparison is attractive, even romantic in a swashbuckling sort of way. But as I can attest after years in both philanthropy and venture capital, it is…
By Mark R. Kramer
Contributor
More Marathon Funds Should Go to Research
To the Editor: I believe your article “Raising Funds Over the Long Run” (February 11) was off target, missing a key element -- how much net fund raising actually occurred. On the day of the Suzuki Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, the streets of San Diego were ablaze with Leukemia Society purple shirts. It…
Letter Struck at Core of Grantees’ Problem
To the Editor: My thanks to Humphrey Taylor for pointing out the tendency of foundations to resist providing core funding (“‘Core Funding’ Is Key to Charities’ Success,” Letters to the Editor, February 25). We’ve had the frustrating experience of having several foundations tell us, “We love what…
Philip Morris’s Giving Is Publicity, Not Charity
To the Editor: The Chronicle should know better than writing the article “Philip Morris Program Encourages Arts Patrons to Help Food Bank” (March 11). How can you be so naive when you are confronted with a blatant self-serving public-relations operation? Reporter Marilyn Dickey tells us, “All told,…
Seeing Through the Left’s False Lament
As a new report from the indefatigable National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy plainly demonstrates, the left wing of the philanthropic world continues to insist that it is being outgunned by its politically active counterparts on the right -- despite incontrovertible evidence to the…
By LESLIE LENKOWSKY
Contributor
Evaluation Isn’t What It Used to Be
To the Editor: Rose Meissner’s thoughtful letter (“Charity Evaluation: More of a Luxury Than Many People Care to Admit,” Letters to the Editor, March 11) in response to my opinion piece (“Charity Evaluation: a Necessity, Not a Luxury,” My View, January 28) articulates the traditional barriers to…
Watchdog Groups’ Guidelines Often Do More Harm Than Good
To the Editor: Having written about non-profit organizations for 30 years, I can think of nothing more foolish for the working founders of any successful non-profit to do than to attempt to meet the board-composition standards established by the National Charities Information Bureau and the Council…