What the public sector might learn from philanthropy

This short piece from NPR interviews several foundation executives on the challenges of spending the dollars in the federal stimulus bill well. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101234127“The art of doling out stimulus dollars” I was struck by the juxtaposition of the above story – which relies on the expertise of professionals in setting goals and monitoring them – with [...]

Who will answer the call?

Ah, yes. Two words – philanthropy and transparency – that go together quite frequently in “insider baseball” discussions among foundations and nonprofits. Unfortunately, the general public is standing outside the ballpark on this one. Two major public events on this issue – the release of the list of donors to the Clinton Foundation and the [...]

Making sense (or trying to)

Here is what today’s news brought: Economic stimulus package in the U.S. – – $600 check is in the mail for American taxpayers. Additions to the list of private universities recalculating their own rules for financial aid and deploying a percentage of their endowments to provide tuition discounts and grants to lower and middle income [...]

NYT Editorial on public/philanthropic spending

Today’s NYT has an editorial that speaks directly to the intricate relationships between public spending, public policy, and philanthropy. I touched on this relationship in this post. It is at the heart of my book and is critical to my ongoing use of “philanthropy as regulated industry” analog. The Times takes on the interconnectedness and [...]

Devolution to nonprofits and the markets

Photo Credit: Center For Environmental Health Photo, via Washingtonpost.com Devolution – the shifting of responsibilities once met by the federal government to state or municipalities – is nothing new. Nor is devolution to nonprofits anything really new. Devolution to market entities also isn’t new, its just called “privatization.” So, this post isn’t new, its just [...]

We oughta be ashamed

From Saturday’s New York Times,“Even as Africa Hungers, Policy Slows Delivery of U.S. Food Aid,” By Celia W. Dugger “…One of the patients, Annie Mubita, a 32-year-old mother of six, said her strength was returning, and so was her appetite, which had shriveled when she was sick. Mrs. Mubita assumes her children are also H.I.V. [...]