New York Antipoverty Group Takes On...

New York Antipoverty Group Takes On Investigative Reporter Role
By Ian Wilhelm
Chronicle of Philanthropy
February 21, 2010

... Mr. Jones, the chief executive of the Community Service Society, doubts its revenue from government agencies, which makes up about 30 percent of its annual budget, would be cut because of the magazine's content.

(Its previous owner, City Futures, did not receive government money, says Mr. Breslau.)

Mr. Jones also points out that even if any financial support is threatened, his group has a large endowment-$136-million as of June 30, 2009-and raises money from diverse sources.

For Mr. Jones, the foray into journalism dovetails nicely with his group's mission. The charity offers financial-literacy services, assists the unemployed, and oversees a volunteer force of 7,500 older Americans.

People who know Mr. Jones, a lawyer who previously served as an adviser to Edward Koch when he was mayor of New York, say he and his organization are not known as shrinking violets.

"He is willing to think about what's good and right for poor people and put aside any short-term self-interest that other leaders in the sector can't get beyond," says Aaron Dorfman, executive director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, a foundation watchdog group. Mr. Jones was a member of the committee's board for 10 years.

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