Colin Powell’s Nonprofit Legacy: a Belief in America’s Promise
In the course of his life, Powell was a volunteer and mentor to young people of color. Through his nonprofit organization, America’s Promise Alliance, his ideas about how to help children and young people thrive were put into practice on a large scale.
By Leslie Lenkowsky
Contributor
Scholar Lester M. Salamon Changed How We Think About the Nonprofit World
Salamon’s prolific research and writing punctured the myth of nonprofit independence from the fields of government and business but also showed the value of these partnerships in helping those in need.
By Leslie Lenkowsky
Contributor
A New Report Raises Concerns About Philanthropy’s Trustworthiness. How Alarmed Should We Be?
Independent Sector found a decline in trust of nonprofits, especially philanthropic organizations. But there are likely many factors that account for this finding — not all of them as bad.
By Leslie Lenkowsky
Contributor
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Message to Philanthropy: Immigrant Strivers Need Support, Too
At a time when immigration policy battles are taking center stage, some of Miranda’s recent grants are going to nonprofits that help immigrants rise to the middle class — reflecting the values depicted in his new movie “In the Heights.” His approach should be an example for other donors.
By Leslie Lenkowsky
Contributor
How Much Can We Really Learn About Philanthropy From ‘Giving USA’ and Other Data Sources?
We have more knowledge about philanthropy than ever before, but we need to be wary of the limitations of that knowledge and the objectivity behind the data.
By Leslie Lenkowsky
Contributor
Today’s Racial Justice Grant Makers Could Learn a Lot From an Early-20th-Century Philanthropist
The billions pledged this year for racial justice should support more than legal, economic, and political change. As Julius Rosenwald showed us over a century ago, backing promising education programs can also make an enormous difference.
By Suzanne Garment and Leslie Lenkowsky
After the Protests, Will Philanthropy Do the Right Thing This Time Around?
The well-meaning response to 1960s civil unrest by foundations and nonprofits too often failed to produce the desired results. Now we have a chance to do a better job.
By Suzanne Garment and Leslie Lenkowsky
Charities Must Keep in Mind That Donald Trump Is No Ronald Reagan
The president-elect may struggle to enact policies to allow charities to take a political stand, and he won’t have an easy time enacting some of his promises on immigration, energy, and the environment.
By Suzanne Garment and Leslie Lenkowsky
Flouting Conventional Wisdom: an Influential Donor’s Legacy
Randolph Richardson played a pivotal role in advancing conservative causes, in part by his belief that grant makers were essentially talent scouts.
By Leslie Lenkowsky
Contributor
Realistic Story of Philanthropy Is Ho-Hum to Americans
“Little Red Wagon” tells an inspiring story, but Americans seem to prefer to see donors as wealthy scoundrels or superheroes who can work wonders with a simple check.
By Leslie Lenkowsky
Contributor