Responsive Philanthropy Archives

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	Spring 2008 Spring 2007 \| Summer 2007 \| Fall 2007 \| Winter 2007/08 Fall/Winter 2006 \| Summer 2006 \| Spring 2006 I Winter 2005/2006 I Fall 2005 I Summer 2005 I Spring 2005 I Winter 2004/2005 I Fall 2004 I Summer 2004 \| Spring 2004 \| Winter 2003/2004 I Fall 2003 \| Summer 2003 \| Spring 2003
Date of release	Title and author(s)
Spring 2008	Building Constituencies for Progressive Social Change by Cyrus Driver
	Serious About Diversity? Measure it. by Aaron Dorfman
	Spotlight: Rip Rapson - Kresge President and CEO Talks About New Values-Centered Grantmaking by Kristina Moore
	10 Best Practices for Strategic Philanthropy to Advance Social Rights by Greg and Maria Jobin-Leeds
Winter 2007/08	Shifting Focus: How and Why a Large Grantmaker Decided to Fight Poverty by Pete Manzo
	Bang for the Buck: Why Grantmakers Should Provide More Funding for Policy Advocacy and Community Organizing by Aaron Dorfman
	Engaging in the Debate of Philanthropic Accountability by Melissa Johnson
	Beyond Five Percent: The New Foundation Payout Menu by Heidi Waleson
Fall 2007 � Top	Philanthropy at its Best: Guiding NCRP into the Next Five Years by Aaron Dorfman
	Democratizing Philanthropy: Challenging Foundations and Social Justice Organizations by Christine Ahn
	Philanthropic Strategies for Community-Led Education Reform by Julie K. Kohler
	Creating a Philanthropic Sector that is More Responsive to the Needs of Diverse Communities by NCRP
Summer 2007 � Top	Beyond Grantmaking: Letting our Foundation Assets Work Full-Time by Dave Beckwith
	The Impact of Mergers on Philanthropy in the Banking Industry: Total Giing is Up Significantly, but Real Challenges Remain by Becky Sherblom
	Taking on One of the "Dirty Dozen" Tax Scams by Kristina C. Moore
	Strategies for Young Philanthropists to Support Progressive Social Change by Scott Benbow
Spring 2007 � Top	The Time is Ripe for Philanthropy to Renew Its Commitment to Rural America by Rachael Swierzewski
	A New Chapter for NCRP by Aaron Dorfman
	An Agenda for Change by Rich Cohen
	David R. Jones: NCRP's Board Chair Discusses Current Issues Facing the Sector by Kristina C. Moore
Fall/Winter 2006 � Top	A New Agenda for the Progressive Women's Movement by Kiran Ahuja, National Asian Pacific American Women's Movement
	Feminization of Philanthropy: Learning from the Women's Movement by Ambreen Ali
	Improving Lives Through Women's Funds by Kelly Schultz
	Aid on Whose Terms? by Norma Timbang
Summer 2006 � Top	Setting the Stage for Transformational Change by Robert Hohler Article comments on the efforts of private philanthropy to revive Gulf states after hurricanes Rita and Katrina ravaged the region in 2005, primarily in New Orleans.
	Making Environmental Justice a National Priority by Albert Huang, Dimple Chaudhary, and Patrice Simms, Natural Resources Defence Council Although local organizations can make real inroads in achieving environmental justice, learn how national environmental groups can empower local communities to create meaningful social change.
	Warming Up to Environmentalism by Kevin Kovaleski As concerns grow for the way humans are impacting the environment, evangelical groups are increasingly getting involved, couching the issue as a moral one. Read about the connection between the two and what strategies evangelical groups are employing.
	Whose Environment Will Be Funded? by Elly Kugler Article suggests ways to balance popular appeal and community accountability to work on environmental justice issues.
Spring 2006 � Top	The New Same Old Story by Nichole Maher From the perspective of the urban Indian community organizations involved, Nichole Maher, executive director of the Native American Youth and Family Center, outlines conditions American Indians/Alaskan Natives face in their communities and discusses, in particular, the ethics of intervention and the subject of cultural sensitivity.
	The Northwest Area Foundation's Urban Indian Experience by Karl N. Stauber Karl Stauber, the Foundation�s president, recounts the foundation�s experience in working with the community nonprofits, and explains the Foundation�s decision to deny a community partnership proposal that did not align correctly with its aims.
	The Same Goals Through Different Lenses: A Foundation-Grantee Dialogue on Poverty, Gone Awry by Rick Cohen In this article Rick Cohen discusses the complexity of the relationship between the Northwest Area Foundation and the Urban Indian Community Groups and points to some valuable lessons for the sector.
Winter 2005/2006 � Top	Gingrich and His Philanthropy: The Wrong Signal for the Sector and Accountability by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen questions why the Council on Foundations would choose Newt Gingrich as a keynote speaker, since he was previously under scrutiny by the IRS.
	Abramoff: More Unanswered Questions by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen, former executive director of NCRP, asks the questions that somehow, despite the prosecution of Jack Abramoff earlier this year, are still left unanswered. Is the IRS prepared to prevent other lobbyists from stealing tax dollars and swaying politicians?
	Defining Values & Freedom: How the Right's Perspective and Strategies Win by Jeff Krehely Jeff Krehely, former deputy director of NCRP, asks important questions about the future of charity in the US and the direction philanthropy is potentially headed. Included are remarks made by Krehely at the Hudson Institute regarding John Miller�s A Gift of Freedom and the history of the Olin Foundation.
Fall 2005 � Top	Domino's Founder Delivers More than Just Pizza by Jeff Krehely Jeff Krehely discusses billionaire and Domino�s founder Thomas Monaghan�s hand in conservative philanthropy and explores how his religious ideology has had an effect on politics and higher education.
	Getting Personal by Rick Cohen This editorial by Rick Cohen, former executive director of NCRP, laments the press-hungry reaction of nonprofit leadership to Katrina and Rita, and hails back to his extensive community development experience to offer a realistic scenario for rebuilding and reinvesting in the Gulf Coast.
	Executive Compensation: More at the Top by Omolara Fatiregun and Betsy Williams Omolara Fatiregun and Betsy Williams discuss NCRP�s current project on foundation executive compensation, providing some preliminary findings on trends and highest salary earners, and also explore the inherent obstacles to accurate and complete research due to the imperfections of the IRS Form 990.
	The Arts Angle in Social Justice Grantmaking by Heidi K. Rettig Heidi Rettig examines the steady increase of funding for social justice oriented arts and culture programs, but also explores the obstacles experienced by the nonprofits who are at the forefront of providing arts-related programs and services. Through discussions with both foundation officers and arts organizations� leadership, Rettig paints a comprehensive picture of the current and future challenges posed by social justice arts to the foundation world.
Summer 2005 � Top	Banning the Juvenile Death Penalty by Adam Conner and Betsy Williams The authors discuss the United States� pivotal move to abolish the juvenile death penalty after most other nations had already done so.
	The Duke's Demise by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen explores the seedy connections between Rep. Randall �Duke� Cunningham�s real estate transactions with Mitchell Wade, CEO of a prosperous defense contractor, and his face-saving philanthropic efforts involving a less-than-favorable San Diego nonprofit and political players.
	National Heritage Foundation: Pushing Tax Laws to the Limit by Jeff Krehely Jeff Krehely shows how the National Heritage Foundation (NHF) provides comprehensive �technical assistance� on how to use nonprofit tax laws for personal enrichment. At the helm of NHF are John Houk (once under IRS investigation) and his family, whose NHF grants list looks more like a personal checkbook ledger than a foundation portfolio.
	The Story of Saipan by Naomi T. Tacuyan Naomi Tacuyan investigates how the Marianas Islands and its garment industry represent yet another strand in Jack Abramoff�s unethical weaving of politics, business, and charity. To the tune of $9.5 million over the span of a decade, Abramoff and his associates lobbied to keep federal labor laws out of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, whose government and industry leaders still view Abramoff and DeLay as demigods of U.S. capitalism.
Spring 2005 � Top	Wal-Mart Philanthropy: Do their Dollars Really Make a Difference? by Betty Feng Betty Feng explores Wal-Mart philanthropic practices and the public's general perception of Wal-Mart as a good corporate citizen. These practices may contradict Wal-Mart's questionable practices within the workplace.
	The Accountability Toolbox by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen explores the viability and mechanisms of nonprofit self-regulation and points out some of the myths surrounding the debate of nonprofit self-governance. As the Senate Finance Committee urges the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors to demonstrate greater accountability and financial probity, Cohen advocates a model in which nonprofits� self -regulatory practices would coexist with reinforced governmental oversight.
	The Bush Budget: The Triumph of the Beast Starvers? by Jared Bernstein Jared Bernstein of the Economic Policy Institute presents a critical overview of the FY06 Bush budget and its dramatic repercussions on government human services programs�health care, education, housing. The unsustainable levels reached by the current and project budget deficits, Bernstein observes, represent a clear attempt at undermining the government�s ability to perform its functions and the nonprofit sector�s historic role in complementing and furthering them.
	Wasting Resources and Risking Lives by Jeff Krehely Jeff Krehely shows that, despite scientific evidence pointing at their ineffectiveness and potential harmfulness, abstinence-only programs and the nonprofits promoting them have received increasing amounts of public money within the last few years. That such biased programs have been condoned, or even championed, by leading philanthropic organizations represents a serious blow to the nonprofit sector�s attempts to regain its credibility and reputation.
	Disclosure for Charitable Solicitors by Naomi T. Tacuyan Naomi Tacuyan revisits charitable telemarketing fraud�the deliberate dishonesty with donors, and the alarmingly low return rates for such campaigns�both causes foe concern over nonprofit accountability and transparency. The article explores the steps that state attorneys general have taken to report on, educate, and regulate fundraising fraud, and urges the sector to choose their for-profit fundraisers more wisely and be more vigilant about how fundraising campaigns are conducted.
Winter 2004/2005 � Top	The Prize for Peace by Omolara Fatiregun and Mira Gupta This case study of Nobel Price recipient Dr. Wangari Maathai, and her environmental justice initiatives recounts how Dr. Maathai and her Kenya-based Green Belt Movement have successfully prevented natural resources-related conflicts, raised environmental awareness, and continue to empower women and their communities.
	Pragmatic Politics by Rick Cohen As politics become more polarized, it is not a time for nonprofits to censor themselves and cozy up to the very politicians and ideologies that are a threat to nonprofit livelihood. Rick Cohen makes this clear as he explores the sector�s relationship with Rick Santorum, the Administration�s tax cuts, and the increasingly biased eye of the IRS and its investigations.
	Economic Democracy in Peril by Helen Vinton Helen Vinton expresses concern over potential threats to the Community Reinvestment Act and its effects on rural America.
	Nonprofits Mobilize against CFC's Terror List Check Requirements by Alan Rabinowitz Alan Robinowitz discusses the collective effort put forth by nonprofits to speak out against the CFC�s new terror list check requirements for nonprofits.
	Maximizing Nonprofit Voices and Mobilizing the Public by Jeff Krehely This article explains how foundations should help their 501(c)(3) grantees to effectively set up and manage 501 (c)(4) affiliates, thus facilitating these organizations� involvement in the public policy process. With the current legislative debates taking center stage in Congress, such foundation-sponsored technical assistance, Jeff Krehely suggests, is a timely and necessary way for (c)(3) organizations to better advocate for their causes.
	When it Comes to Generosity, Lists are Deceiving by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen discusses BusinessWeek�s top 50 givers list in comparison to the generosity of low-to-middle income Americans' giving and explores the top 50's giving practices.
Fall 2004 � Top	Foundation Money on the Mound by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen looks at for-profit baseball team Milwaukee Brewers receiving dubious partial financial support from the Bradley Foundation. While exploring the financing of the Miller Park baseball Stadium, Cohen reveals how (1) the Bradley foundation grant mainly benefited its trustees and managers� interests, and how (2) Bradley�s tax-exempt philanthropic capital was (mis)invested in a commercial project remotely connected to its charitable mission.
	Abramoff: Well-Connected to the Well-Heeled of the Right by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen describes DC lobbyist Jack Abramoff�s self-serving involvement in the nonprofit sector. Thanks to Abramoff�s connections to the Capital Athletic Foundation�which he manages�and other nonprofit organizations, he was able to support right wing initiatives. Cohen offers various examples of how Abramoff used his sports philanthropy to favor socially and morally reprehensible practices.
	Affinity Groups by Marissa Guananja Marissa Guananja explores the concept of affinity groups, specifically in relation to the Council on Foundations, and discusses how they affect the networking capabilities of the sector.
	Felonious Philanthropists by John Barkhamer, Jeff Krehely, and Rick Cohen John Barkhamer, Jeff Krehely and Rick Cohen show that despite being prevented from being involved with publicly traded companies, fraudulent corporate executives are still serving on foundations� and nonprofits� boards. In this respect, the authors call for (1) greater scrutiny from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as foundations managers and (2) an expansion of the mandate of the SEC outside of publicly traded companies.
	Self-Auditing�A Futile Endeavor or a Credible Safeguard Against Scandal for New York Nonprofits? by Sarah S. Miller Sarah S. Miller discusses the legislation mandating that nonprofit organizations establish audit committees. This legislation was introduced by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and has been contested inside and outside the sector.
	Not Much to Cheer About by Pete Manzo Pete Manzo explains what is missing in the new California Nonprofit Integrity Bill and how what is included in the bill will be hard for nonprofits to achieve.
	Nonprofits and Philanthropy in the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico by M. Carlota Baca and Teresa J. Odendahl The authors describe the weak capacities of nonprofits in New Mexico and make suggestions for capacity-building within the state.
	Policymaking by Consensus by Jeff Krehely Jeff Krehely discusses recent efforts made by Congress to reform the philanthropic sector, the challenges and shortcomings in attempting reform and NCRP�s role in the process.
Summer 2004 � Top	Focus on the� Election? by John Russell John Russell discusses the effort of James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family Action, to connect religion and partisan politics.
	NCRP Debuts at Senate Hearing by Rick Cohen Rich Cohen explains NCRP�s role in the Senate hearing regarding accountability in the nonprofit sector and discusses the key issues at stake.
	The Uprising of 2003 by Sarah Stranahan Sarah Stranahan discusses the Federal Communications Commission�s proposed ownership deregulation of the media and the resulting uprising of consumers, nonprofit groups.
	The Trouble With Rural by Rick Cohen This article explores why the level of giving to nonprofits in rural America is disproportionately low and takes a look at rural philanthropy in the United States.
	Giving the Hawaiian Way by Rhonda Funn, Lisa Oshiro, Robin Danner The authors highlight the uniqueness and importance of a new fund, the Hawaiian Way Fund, as a means to sustain traditions in Hawaii.
	Recent FEC Rulemaking And the Future of Nonprofit Lobbying by Liz Baumgarten, Bob Smucker The authors describe how the Federal Election Committee�s proposed rules would affect and possibly drastically change the advocacy abilities of nonprofits.
	Community-Based Public Foundations by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen explains how CBPFs are increasingly successful in promoting social change and are receiving attention and respect from larger foundations.
Spring 2004 � Top	Paying to Mind the Store by Rick Cohen & Jeff Krehely Rick Cohen and Jeff Krehely lay out the case for reducing the foundation excise tax from 2 percent to 1 percent, as proposed in the 2005 Bush budget, but only if the revenue raised is directed towards the original purpose of oversight for foundations and the non-profit sector.
	Strange Bedfellows by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen casts his eyes west to the Rio Grande and to two high-profile political leaders on opposite sides of the river. Both Mexican First Lady Marta Sahagun de Fox and U.S. House Majority Leader Tom Delay have charitable foundations that appear to exist to allow economic and political interests to purchase access and influence more then philanthropy.
	The Big Squeeze by Gary Bass, John Irons, Ellen Taylor, Executive Director, Staff Economist and senior economic, and senior budget policy analyst at OMB Watch. Senior analysts at OMB Watch explain why monitoring the federal budget and proposed tax cuts is vital to the future of non-profits everywhere and examine the short and long term causes and consequences. The impact of decreasing government revenues and outlays is already being felt by non-profits as they feel the double squeeze of increased demand in services to make up for government shortfalls and reduced government funding.
	Making Space for the Nonprofit Sector by China Brotsky\|, Vice President of Special Projects for the Tides Family of Organizations China Brotsky showcases the benefits and successes of multi-tenant nonprofit centers (MTNC), which eliminate the challenges of securing facilities, provide stability essential for long term foundation growth, and increased capacity and cooperation between non-profits located in the same facility. With affordable rent dollars paying off debt in a non-profit facility, nonprofit resources are leveraged for the long term.
	Saying 'No' To Forever by Jeff Krehely Not all foundations plan on lasting forever, as Jeff Krehely discovered when he examined the largely unreported phenomena of foundations deliberately spending down and not existing in perpetuity.
Winter 2003/2004 � Top	Advocating for Advocacy by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen reflects on the results of an NCRP survey about what progressive funders think can be done to promote local and regional nonprofit public policy advocacy for social change.
	Swoosh Philanthropy Redux by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen revisits Nike�s global philanthropic track record after the company's recent free speech court settlement and recalls NCRP�s original 2002 assessment that �recruiting a non-profit to service the corporation might be socially responsible corporate behavior� but it is not philanthropy.
	Communities, Unions Partner For Change by Henry Allen & Leigh Dingerson The authors explore the history of the Neighborhood Funders Group (NFG), a national network of foundations committed to expanding support for organizations that help low-income people improve their communities, the Working Group on Labor and Community and their accomplishments, including the Partnerships for Change project.
	NonProfit Salaries, Intermediate Sanctions And the New York Stock Exchange by Rick Cohen Rich Cohen discusses a Chronicle of Philanthropy article that exposed exuberant salaries of some of the most prominent foundations in the country.
	Lessons Learned: Collaborative Mobilizing for Education Reform by Lori Bezahler, Susan Cahn, PhD., and Cassie Schwerner, PhD. Program officer for public education at the Edward W. Hazen Foundation, director of program services for Foundation Services where she manages the education program for the Dickler Family Foundation, program director of the Caroline and Sigmund Schott Foundation This article examines the success of the NYC Donor Education Collaborative in establishing and mobilizing a coordinated education reform coalition that restored a billion dollars to the 2003 NY state education budget.
Fall 2003 � Top	Equality's Frontier by Allison McGee Johnson, Senior Communications Manager for the Gill Foundation Following recent victories for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) movement Allison McGee advocates the need for increased funding for GLBT community in order to building upon recent successes and counter the better funded anti-gay groups.
	From Reform to Retreat by Rick Cohen Rich Cohen discusses why the House Ways and Means Committee�s modifying of a foundation spending reform provision (Section 105) of the Charitable Giving Act of 2003 is problematic.
	Conservative Foundations And the Assault on Affirmative Action by Meaghan House & Constance A. Lindsay, NCRP Senior Research Associate and former NCRP Development Intern As the Grutter v. Bollinger Supreme Court decision showed, the conservative assault on Affirmative Action is a strategic, well-funded, and politically astute movement. House and Lindsay explore the long-term coordination of conservative foundations as they move incrementally towards their goal of eliminating Affirmative Action.
	Building Core Competency by Kaycee Misiewicz Kaycee Misiewicz explains why there is a need for core operating support for nonprofits in addition to short-term and project-specific grants.
	Foundation Alms for the Rich? by Sloan C. Wiesen Sloan C. Wiesen discusses a study, released by the Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership, which suggests that money that could be support charitable grants is instead funding wealthy trustees.
Summer 2003 � Top	Current Challenges to Foundation Board Governance by Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D. President and CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation Dr. Emmett D. Carson�s remarks to the Council of Foundation�s Board of Trustees in April, 2003 were published for the first time in Responsive Philanthropy. In his remarks, Dr. Carson addresses head-on some of the emerging issues facing foundations today, including increased scrutiny and calls for government oversight. He lays out stimulating new ideas he deems necessary for foundations to adapt to this new landscape.
	Time for a New Commission on Philanthropy by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen writes about the need for a successor to the Filer Commission due to corruption and accountability issues within foundations and well-off nonprofits.
	Health Care Conversion Foundations Band Aid Solutions by John Hunsaker & Jeff Krehely, NCRP research associate, NCRP research director Non-profit health care providers, facing tough competition from for-profit providers in a climate of soaring health care costs, are increasingly choosing to convert to for-profit enterprises, claiming it is the only way they can survive. However, the resulting shift leaves a large gap in coverage for those that need it most, which can not be filled by the foundations required to be formed by the transition.
	Nonprofits Speak Up for Social Justice Agenda by Rick Cohen Former NCRP Executive Director Rick Cohen presents responses from NCRP�s member survey on the evolving role and focus of NCRP and other nonprofits in the face of the upcoming years of the Bush administration. The article shares the member�s input on how to best advocate a social justice agenda in Republican dominated Washington and analyzes how NCRP will continue to play a leading role.
	Panel Ponders 'Philanthropy In Troubled Times by Rachel Maleh Rachel Maleh reports on the discussion topics at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition�s yearly philanthropy forum.
	A Tax by Any Other Name by Abby R. Levine Abby R. Levine discusses how many nonprofits across the country are being asked to make voluntary PILOTs, or �fair share� property-tax payments and what nonprofits should do about this.
	Fraud After All by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen discusses the Supreme Court verdict of fraudulent charitable telemarketing case, its implications for the philanthropic sector as well as American individuals, and lessons to be learned.
Spring 2003 � Top	Funding Fair Voices of Faith by Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President of The Interfaith Alliance (TIA) and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation The Rev. Dr. C Welton Gaddy, President of The Interfaith Alliance, champions the need to fund fair and inclusive voices of faith to counter the growing power of the religious right. And he reminds us that all Americans are worthy of religious liberty and freedom from discrimination, not just those that agree with James Dobson.
	Free Speech or Fraud? by Rick Cohen Former NCRP Executive Director Rick Cohen examines the growing issues of concern with the increase in for-profit telemarketing by nonprofits, highlighted in the U.S. Supreme Court case Ryan v. Telemarketing Associates (or Madigan v. Telemarketing Associates), against the larger issue of accounting and fundraising transparency.
	Understanding Social Justice Philanthropy by Brenda Hanzi & John Hunsaker Brenda Hanzi and John Hunsaker explore and define what social justice philanthropy means today and how it can create �change beyond charity.�
	Americans With Disabilities Seek Access, Resources by Barbara Toomer, Secretary of the Board of the Disabled Rights Action Committee in Salt Lake City, community organizer for ADAPT/Utah, and a board member of the NCRP. Barbara Toomer addresses the difficulties facing charities advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. Organizations dedicated to empowerment and equal rights face severe funding challenges compared to those with a mainstream medical and health orientation.
	Eye on Local Advocacy in The Nation's Capital by Rick Cohen Rick Cohen highlights the importance of public policy advocacy groups and discusses their low level of funding in comparison to other types of advocacy groups.