Charities Do More to Help People Than Government
To the Editor: Warren Goldstein accuses Republicans of wanting it both ways (“Government, Not Charity, Should Pay for Disaster Relief,” September 29), but his argument is two-sided as well. He points the finger at politicians for making choices that “magnified” Katrina’s enormous destructive power…
Katrina’s Aftermath Requires Bold Action
When President Bush spoke to the nation from New Orleans to present his ideas for rebuilding the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, he said: “We have a duty to confront this poverty with bold action.” Here’s a bold action for philanthropy: The nation’s wealthiest foundations should pour all their…
By REBECCA SIVE
Contributor
Grant Makers Need to Speed Up Their Pace
In the days after Hurricane Katrina, many companies rushed to provide aid, as did numerous private foundations. But, with the exception of major natural disasters and catastrophes like the 2001 terrorist acts, grant makers rarely display such a sense of urgency. By contrast, most nonprofit groups…
By PABLO EISENBERG
Contributor
A Plan to Close the Technology Gap
The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina has triggered an unprecedented outpouring of philanthropic support by the American public. As the nation pitches in to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, the focus will be on the rebirth of homes and businesses, but it is equally vital that the recovery process…
By CHRIS NORDLINGER
Contributor
Protecting Charities from Lawsuits
LETTERS TO THE EDITORTo the Editor: In your story on charitable immunity (“Making Charities Accountable,” September 15), Ben Gose paraphrases Harvey P. Dale as saying that “the abolition of immunity laws would give charities more incentive to put in place systems that prevent harm in the first…
How Minnesota Fights Homelessness
LETTERS TO THE EDITORTo the Editor: It was a pleasure to see attention given to the efforts of the federal government and many states to address the pervasive and complex issues contributing to long-term homelessness in our country (“Seeking a Home Remedy,” August 18). At least one state --…
Ethics Questions About Donor-Advised Funds
LETTERS TO THE EDITORTo the Editor: In the article, “Charity Official Questions Ethics of Fees Paid to Financial Advisers” (August 18), the statement, “few fund-raising or financial experts agree” with my views about fund-raising practices in donor-advised funds is completely inaccurate. Many…
Government, Not Charity, Should Pay for Disaster Relief
Horrified and moved by the suffering Hurricane Katrina has caused, generous Americans have donated more than $1-billion to relief groups. But as churches and synagogues and mosques and community groups and universities and schools run fund-raising carwash after concert after dinner after special…
By Warren Goldstein
Contributor
Troubling Questions in the Wake of a Catastrophe
The cascade of charitable contributions in response to Hurricane Katrina has been more than impressive. But the aftermath of the hurricane has also raised some troubling questions about the role of philanthropy and its relationship to government. Most important is whether much of the damage to the…
By PABLO EISENBERG
Contributor
LETTERS TO THE EDITORTo the Editor: The Council on Foundations welcomes Mark R. Kramer’s offering Steve Gunderson recommendations for guiding the council as its new chief executive (“What Grant Makers Really Need,” September 1), and we hope to hear more from Mr. Kramer and others on the direction…