To the Editor: Concerning Rick Edmonds’s report for the Poynter Institute that is the basis for his commentary, “Foundations and Journalism: an Awkward Fit” (May 31): To borrow from Robert Frost, soured partnerships make for bad case studies of journalism ethics. In Mr. Edmonds’s Poynter Report,…
Software Company Criticizes Depiction
To the Editor: We were very pleased to provide input for your article, “Remote Possibilities” Rather than buy sophisticated software systems, some charities find it pays to lease them via the Internet” (June 14). But we were extremely surprised by the way our Internet-delivered solutions were…
In Dog We Trust –Â Not a Good Idea for Philanthropy
By J.J. MACNABTalk about a pet project: U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer, an Oregon Democrat, has introduced a bill that would allow donors to set up planned-giving arrangements that benefit their dogs, cats, and other furry friends. So-called Charitable Remainder Pet Trusts would resemble…
By J.J. MacNab
Contributor
Articles About Online Fund Raising Missed the Mark
To the Editor: With eagerness, I went to the Chronicle Web site to read the most recent report on online fund raising. But my eagerness turned to disappointment as I realized the significant gaps in data, perspective, and balance in two of the articles (“All Aboard: More and more large nonprofit…
Grant Makers’ Focus on the New Is Getting Old
By THOMAS G. DAVIDAsking questions about the high premium placed on innovation is akin to heresy in philanthropy. But the obsession that foundations have with novelty can be a curse that they lay on grant seekers. In its nine-year history, the California Wellness Foundation has done its share of…
By Thomas G. David
Contributor
Professor Nominated to Lead AmeriCorps
President Bush has announced plans to nominate Leslie Lenkowsky to be C.E.O. of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that administers AmeriCorps and other volunteer programs. FROM THE ARCHIVES:Leslie Lenkowsky’s columns He currently serves as a member of the board of…
Group draws heat for rating Christian charities on fiscal efficiency without accounting for mission or quality of serviceA nonprofit group founded by a professional financial analyst has started a Web site that rates the fiscal efficiency of Christian charities and publishes the information on the…
By Harvy Lipman
Contributor
Facts Were Misstated in Column on Foundations, Journalism
To the Editor: Although I was a subject of his reporting, Rick Edmonds did not talk to me in preparing “Foundations and Journalism: an Awkward Fit” (My View, May 3l). If he had, you would have been spared the embarrassment of some serious mistakes on his part. Let’s begin with the Florence and John…
Build Brand Identity for Causes, Not Groups
By VIKKI SPRUILLIn recent years, nonprofit groups have embraced few ideas more zealously than one called branding, a marketing practice used widely in the for-profit world to build loyalty among customers and investors and one-up the competition. But the nonprofit world -- especially advocacy…
By Vikki Spruill
Contributor
Poll Finds Support for Use of Celebrities to Help Charitable Causes Gain Notice
By ZIYA SERDAR TUMGORENOne in three Americans believes that more entertainment celebrities should get involved in helping charitable or social causes gain publicity than currently do, according to a recent public-opinion poll. About 23 percent think entertainers should be less involved in such…
By Serdar Tumgoren
Contributor