NCRP conducts action research, analyses and advocacy to make institutional philanthropy operates with integrity and openness. Throughout the sector, observers credit NCRP with a strong role in increasing foundation accountability.
Our agenda includes the following:
- Working to strengthen the philanthropic infrastructure by exploring and expanding cutting-edge models and best practices of foundation accountability;
- Raising constructive and pragmatic questions about foundation spending rates and the payout of other endowed nonprofit institutions;
- Promoting new criteria of philanthropic accountability, in relation to self-dealing, trustee fees, increased philanthropic disclosure, and more resources devoted to oversight and regulation of the nonprofit sector; and,
- Speaking out on public policy issues regarding taxation and charitable incentives that promote philanthropy.
The Need for an Accountable Charitable Sector
The philanthropic sector has weathered an unfortunate series of problems involving inadequate accountability and transparency with fundraising intermediaries and foundations such as the United Way of the National Capital Area, the King Foundation in Texas, and the Bielfeldt Foundation in Illinois, all of which NCRP has written and spoken about in order to shed light on accountability. The press has been reporting many abuses of the nonprofit sector, including some egregious behavior by a small but significant number of foundations.
NCRP and Accountability on Capitol Hill
NCRP has given numerous testimonies and statements regarding the need for improving government oversight of the philanthropic sector to ensure its accountability, transparency and responsiveness to the needs of marginalized communities. It also keeps an eye on legislations that have the potential to affect philanthropy and charitable giving. Learn more about our public policy work
Related Publications
Learning from Madoff: Lessons for Foundation Boards
NCRP examines whether there was any link between board size and diversity, and exposure to Bernard Madoff’s fraudulent activities.
Recommendations on the Revised IRS 990 Form
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NCRP submitted to the IRS its comments regarding the revisions to the IRS 990 Form.
Improving Philanthropic Accountability: Recommendations on the Pension Protection Act of 2006
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NCRP submitted to the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee its comments regarding the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
Protecting the Public Interest: Recommendations on Donor-Advised Funds and Supporting Organizations
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NCRP submitted its comments to the Department of the Treasury and the IRS for their study on donor-advised funds and supporting organizations. Results of the study will be reported to the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees in August 2007.
In or Out? The People Have Spoken
Reforming the United States Philanthropic Sector
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Standards for Foundation and Corporate Grantmaking
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This report highlights 18 ways to improve philanthropic accountability. NCRP staff used the standards as the basis of NCRP’s testimony at the Senate Finance Committee’s hearings on “Charity Oversight and Reform: Keeping Bad Things from Happening to Good Charities” (June 22, 2004) and NCRP’s written submission to the Committee for its roundtable discussion meeting on July 22, 2004, which we released as a report, On the Path to Philanthropic Reform: Concrete Steps toward Public and Private Accountability and Oversight.
On the Path to Philanthropic Reform: Concrete Steps Toward Public and Private Accountability and Oversight
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This report contains NCRP’s written statement for the Senate Finance Committee's roundtable discussion meeting on July 2004.
Recommendations for Reform of the United States Philanthropic Sector
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This statement was presented by NCRP's executive director during his testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on June 22, 2004.
