Opinion: A Damaging Dichotomy in Philanthropy

Reports of a philanthropic divide between young entrepreneurs who start foundations and old established grant makers is exaggerated, writes Susan V. Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation, in an opinion article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Ms. Berresford, a 40-year veteran of philanthropy and leader of one of the older foundations, says the portrayal of the new foundations as ambitious, strategic, entrepreneurial, and innovative — and a striking contrast to older foundations — is damaging to philanthropy.

“When we fall prey to false divisions . . . by suggesting that some kinds of donors may be less valuable or necessary over the long run,” she writes, philanthropy could lose out because the diverse approaches needed to solve problems could disappear.

She says she also worries that too much emphasis is now placed on short-term results and self-sustaining projects. “Not every aim worth striving for can fit within the short-time horizons of a business model or aim to generate profit,” she writes.

Ms. Berresford announced in the fall that she would retire next year; read The Chronicle’s article on her retirement.

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