California Vote: Losing Proposition for Charities?
Charities in California and elsewhere are rejoicing in the defeat this month of Proposition 226, which would have required organizations financed through payroll deductions to obtain contributors’ approval before using the money for political activities. Yet, by aligning themselves with labor…
By LESLIE LENKOWSKY
Contributor
Customer Relations: Don’t Sell Them Short
To the Editor: Lon M. Burns makes some excellent points in his commentary (“Charities Shouldn’t Treat Donors Like Customers,” My View, May 7). But I believe his definition of “customer” is too narrow and misses the opportunities charities have to develop meaningful customer relationships that…
Reeve’s Crusade Is Irrelevant to Many Disabled People
To the Editor: I would like to congratulate Domenica Marchetti for including the views of advocates for independent living in her article on Christopher Reeve and the American Paralysis Foundation (“Courageous Crusade for a Cure,” May 21). Those who seek to cure disabilities, and those who opt…
Foundations and the Census: Making Our Voice Count
It is still two years until anybody will start collecting data for the next U.S. census, but federal officials are now making critical decisions about the decennial count that will greatly influence the non- profit world for years to come. Census figures are closely linked with issues that…
By William P. O‘Hare
Contributor
San Francisco Passes ‘Sunshine’ Law, but Critics Say It Shines Little Light
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors last week approved a controversial measure to require non-profit organizations that receive at least $250,000 a year from the city to face greater public scrutiny. The legislation, known as the “sunshine” ordinance, would force charities that received big city…
By Vince Stehle
Contributor
Cancer society’s all-out lobbying helps advance tough new anti-tobacco legislation, but critics say role is inappropriate for a charity The American Cancer Society has been “a little bit outrageous” in its push to pass anti-tobacco legislation in Congress, the charity’s chief lobbyist, Linda Hay…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
20 Museums to Get $100-Million in Paintings
The Sara Lee Corporation has announced that it will donate works of art worth approximately $100-million to U.S. museums as a gift to mark the new millennium. The company will give away 35 to 40 paintings and sculptures to 20 museums in cities where it has significant business interests. The Art…
By Vince Stehle
Contributor
Women’s Funds Are Healthier Than Reported
To the Editor: Your article about fund-raising models of women’s funds (“Equal Sights,” May 7) did a great job of explaining the innovative strategies used by Women’s Funding Network members to develop philanthropic giving by women and to increase resources for women and girls. However, the article…
Criticism of Report Also Misses the Mark
To the Editor: Leslie Lenkowsky’s recent column (“New Philanthropy Report Misses the Mark,” May 7) hypocritically admonishes philanthropy for testing grand theories of social change. The hypocrisy lies in Mr. Lenkowsky’s role as a key thinker in a conservative political movement that has spawned…
Medical Gains Affect Local Health Charities
To the Editor: The reason to merge affiliates of national health charities and create regional or centralized organizations (“Insuring a Healthy Future?,” May 7) has more to do with the changing nature of health care than with administrative costs or other factors. This has become an issue because…