Hewlett Bets $50-Million to Make Congress Work More Effectively
Alex Daniels
July 15, 2014
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
In pledging $50-million to strengthen America’s “flailing democracy,” the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has stirred criticism among liberal groups that in doing so it has jettisoned some of its core values.
In its three-year “Madison Initiative,” named after James Madison, an American founder who warned against the “mischiefs of faction,” the foundation says it will support groups looking to make adjustments to the legislative process so Congress can perform its basic tasks like passing annual spending bills, says Daniel Stid, who will lead the effort for Hewlett.
Mr. Stid says he expects grantees to include “bona fide conservative organizations and bona fide liberal organizations,” as well as nonpartisan “good government” groups.
“Neither side, or the center, has a monopoly on truth,” he says. “Any solution that is going to work must work for people across the political spectrum, or it won’t have any staying power.”
Questioning Hewlett
Critics, like Niki Jagpal, director of research and policy at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, called the effort “problematic.”
Instead of supporting groups across the political spectrum, Ms. Jagpal said it would make more sense to dedicate more resources to current Hewlett grantees that work to alleviate poverty, attain social justice, and secure women’s reproductive health.
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