Message from the Executive Director
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the newly-redesigned Responsive Philanthropy!
We’ve updated the look and added new features to our quarterly journal. Thanks all those who responded to our survey a few months ago, which helped us determine how Responsive Philanthropy can be a better resource for you.
There are some terrific pieces in this issue that I hope will challenge your thinking or introduce you to new ideas.
Kyle Caldwell, president and CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, writes about how nonprofits and foundations in his state are weathering the current economic storm. His stories are an inspiration to others in the charitable sector to be innovative and creative in responding to this time of great need.
Alison Goldberg, coordinator of Wealth for Common Good, issues a call to action for foundations to do more to address inequality and economic insecurity in the country. She examines the need for a progressive federal tax policy that promotes philanthropy for the common good.
Darryl Lester and Athan Lindsay explore giving circles in communities of color, noting important community-based efforts that often are overshadowed by a focus on “elite giving.” They invite organized philanthropy to learn from collective philanthropic giving in investing in communities of color.
Lisa Ranghelli and Julia Craig share the key findings of NCRP’s latest report examining the impacts of advocacy, community organizing and civic engagement in North Carolina, and they give readers a flavor of the event we held in Greensboro to release the report.
One of the new features of the redesigned Responsive Philanthropy is a member profile in each issue. This edition features the Little Tokyo Service Center, a nonprofit in Los Angeles led by former NCRP board member Bill Watanabe. Readers will get a sense of the challenges and opportunities affecting this local nonprofit.
We hope that this and forthcoming editions of our quarterly journal contribute to ongoing efforts to improve and strengthen our philanthropic community. If you have suggestions or ideas on future stories, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Aaron Dorfman
Executive Director
NCRP