posted on: Monday, August 20, 2007

by Yna Moore

Throughout the years, NCRP has worked with many newspaper reporters who bring to our attention malfeasance and questionable practices among a number of foundations (e.g. Abramoff's Capital Athletic Foundation, Sarasota Family YMCA, D&K Family Foundation, and the Leavitt Family Foundation to name a few).

In a recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy (Aug. 23 issue), Pablo Eisenberg brings home the important role that these newspapers play in the fight for more accountability in the philanthropy and nonprofit sectors. Eisenberg points out that the ability of the media to be effective accountability watchdogs is threatened by widespread budgetary cuts among the nation's newspapers.

He writes, "The reason that this is worrisome for nonprofit groups, donors, and citizens who depend on charitable institutions is that for the last decade newspapers have been the only major force in holding nonprofit organizations and foundations publicly accountable. Broadcasters and online journalists have made important contributions, but nothing like the powerful effect of the investigative articles that have appeared in newspapers." Read more

Yna Moore is communications associate at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy