Words of Praise for Accused Foundation
To the Editor: In response to your November 5 article “Ralph Nader’s Quiet Crusade,” I would like to express my astonishment and great concern for the Chaho family. In 1997, as principal of Saint Paul Catholic High School, in Bristol, Conn., I approached Mrs. Doris Chaho with a committee and…
Nader Suit Not Aimed at All Foundations
To the Editor: Your article on Ralph Nader’s suit against two directors who dominated a foundation on whose board Mr. Nader served (“Ralph Nader’s Quiet Crusade,” November 5) refers to my participation in the case on Mr. Nader’s behalf. Because the article suggests that the case is a broad attack…
Service Clubs Must Market Selves Better
To the Editor: Your article “A Tradition of Service in Limbo” (November 5) does an excellent job of describing the membership problems of today’s civic-service and fraternal organizations. Because I spent 17 years as the chief staff officer of the service-club organization Civitan International and…
Foundations: a Step Behind in the Poverty Fight
While grassroots anti-poverty organizations across the country have been dealing effectively with the twin challenges of welfare reform and the transfer of federal funds to state and local control, most foundations have stayed on the sidelines. Instead of supporting those efforts -- most of which…
By PABLO EISENBERG
Contributor
Progressive Grant Making: Give Grassroots Groups a ‘Raise’
To the Editor: Michael H. Shuman raises some important issues in arguing that progressive philanthropists need to reach out more broadly within the funding world (“‘Progressive Philanthropy’ Should Cast a Wider Net,” My View, November 5). In doing so, however, he misses the point completely of the…
Year 2000: a True Emergency for Charities
The technology breakdowns that are certain to arise as a result of the “year-2000 problem” will test the ability of non-profit organizations and foundations both to plan for an emergency and to respond when it hits. It is a challenge for which the non-profit world is ill prepared. ALSO…
By Sara E. Melendez
Contributor
Care at School Health Clinics Flourishes, but Foundation Support Dwindles
Scott Ramsey is leading the typical life of a freshman at North Carolina State University: He’s studying hard and making sure to leave plenty of time for his favorite athletic activity -- roller hockey. But that doesn’t mean he or his family have forgotten that he nearly died when he was a junior…
By MARINA DUNDJERSKI
Contributor
Nader’s Latest Crusade Is ‘Over the Edge’
To the Editor: I agree often with Ralph Nader, but on the issue of philanthropic accountability for family foundations (“Ralph Nader’s Quiet Crusade,” November 5), I think he’s gone over the edge with his holier-than-thouness. Good for him that he claims to be able to live on $30,000 a year -- and…
Backroom Politicking Doesn’t Befit Charities
To the Editor: Although my views are not necessarily the views of my organization, I feel I should comment on the backroom politicking that goes into these non-meritorious appropriations (“Congressional Budget Deals Spare Programs of Importance to Charities,” November 5). I strongly question the…
Mandatory Service: Making It Work Better
To the Editor: “A Lesson in Mandatory Service” (September 10) was particularly well-balanced in showing the benefits to students, plus the problems inherited by agencies. In fact, it was one of the few articles I’ve ever seen on the latter point. ... As an agency director of a non-profit museum and…