Opinions and Advice on Philanthropy and Fund Raising: An Archive

2008

Solving Hunger
Food banks need to get involved in fighting poverty, not simply providing groceries.

After the Scandal
The Smithsonian's choice of a new leader shows that the institution's board is learning its lessons from past controversies.

Giving and the Middle East
Can philanthropy make a difference?

What Makes Me Give Again
Bob Levey, a Chronicle columnist, explains what has prompted him to make multiple gifts to single causes.

Focus on the Basics
After receiving too many poorly handled appeals, a former university president urges charities to remember what matters most to donors.

Spurring Public-Policy Innovation
Foundations need to offer incentives that will encourage scholars to influence government policies.

Create Jobs With Meaning
Members of Generation Y are turned off by the myopic vision of many older nonprofit leaders.

Challenge the Boomers
Let's ask one million boomers to each devote 10 years to solving the nation's problems.

Philanthropy and Pluralism
The goal of philanthropy should be broader than redistributing money to the poor and minority groups.

A Misguided Approach on Diversity
California's effort to force grant makers to disclose data makes little sense.

A Big Void
The departure of a key Senate aide will be a major loss in the campaign to prevent charity abuses.

Foundations and Society
Congress should examine whether grant makers are doing enough to justify the tax subsidies they receive.

Improving the Schools
A newly appointed nonprofit leader could open up new thinking about how to revamp the schools.

Grant Makers and Global Warming
Foundations should invest their assets to cool the planet.

Lessons From the Election Polls
What charities can learn from pollsters' mistakes in primary season.

A Journalist's Eye
A veteran newspaperman turned fund raiser explains how to make "call reports" more useful.

A New Generation
It's time to let young people lead the push for social change.

The Generosity Myth
Americans are not as giving a nation as charity officials, politicians, and journalists say.

10 Key Issues for 2008
A veteran philanthropist offers 10 issues every nonprofit leader and donor should consider.

2007

Advocacy's Risks
Charities need to understand that increased advocacy comes with long-term perils.

Why Ideas Matter
Social research is an important tool for foundations.

Poor Choices
A foundation that has dedicated itself to social-justice concerns has overhauled its approach in a way that makes little sense.

Building Wealth
Charities and foundations must explore new ways to fight poverty.

Lobbying Is Not a Dirty Word
Why more charities should see advocacy as an essential part of their missions.

Real Self-Policing
Peer review is essential to nonprofit accountability.

A Call to National Service
Nonprofit leaders should make sure national service is a key issue in the 2008 presidential race.

Challenges for College Donors
Philanthropists face an uphill battle as they seek to improve higher education.

Results Matter
Let's rank charities based on their success, not how much money they raise.

Missing the Big Picture
Bill Clinton's new book, Giving, fails to deal with the most-important issues facing philanthropy.

Ignoring History
Foundations and their boards need to place a higher value on what history and experts have learned about the art of giving away money.