To Advance Racial Equity, Foundation Boards Need to Take an Active Role
A philanthropist and chief executive explain how they transformed a family philanthropy’s governance system so it helped accelerate a commitment to fighting racism.
By James Canales and BARBARA HOSTETTER
Fighting Global Climate Change Requires Foundations to Give Local
Grant makers can make a big difference on an immense planetary problem by fostering collaborative solutions in their home regions.
By James Canales and kate wolford
As the Role of Foundations Changes, We Need to Alter Our Default Attitudes
Philanthropy’s growth and the changing perspectives of young people and new donors require grant makers to reshape the grant-making culture.
By James Canales
Contributor
The Best Candidates for Foundation Leadership Often Come From Within
Philanthropies have come to accept the appointment of outsiders as the norm, but the challenges they face today require people who know how grant making works.
By James Canales
Contributor
Damage Done by a Culture of Deference: Leadership Lessons From the Penn State Tragedy
The scandal holds lessons for boards and chief executives on how to avoid the kinds of mistakes that led to the horrific child-abuse tragedy.
By James Canales
Contributor
An Unprecedented Challenge Gives Philanthropy a Chance to End Bad Habits
These are unprecedented times in philanthropy. The economic difficulties facing our country are beginning to overwhelm and strain nonprofit organizations in profound ways, at the very time when the endowments of foundations have eroded significantly. This has, of course, stimulated important…
By James Canales
Contributor
Let’s Stop Reinventing Potholes
Politicians and philanthropic organizations share a common fault: We find it difficult to admit when we have made mistakes. In politics, it’s easy to understand why. Voters may treat a legitimate mistake as a sign of incompetence and throw an elected official out of office. But the public does not…
By James Canales
Contributor
How Good Governance Really Works
Governance is a hot topic among nonprofit organizations these days, and the discussion often focuses on what boards themselves need to do to be more effective, higher performing, and more accountable. While this focus is commendable, an equally important consideration often missing from the…
By James Canales
Contributor