Press Releases

Report Advises Foundations to Democratize Philanthropy, Embrace Government Oversight, and Develop Methods of Self-Regulation

WASHINGTON-On November 30, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) released Building Solid Foundations: New Approaches to Substantive Philanthropic Accountability, written by Rick Cohen. At a time when foundation scandals and abuse of nonprofits has become regular news items, the public has become increasingly skeptical of philanthropy's effectiveness in meeting its objectives. This report, funded by the Ford Foundation, introduces guidelines to regain trust in and restrengthen the philanthropic sector.

The report aims to answer the following questions fundamental to this discussion: 1) What is the substantive value of philanthropy?, and 2) To whom are foundations substantially accountable? Recent attempts to create a more accountable sector have been hindered both by an inability to prioritize next steps, and by the reduction of the debate to an "either/or" framework that limits the scope of possible solutions. Building Solid Foundations sifts through the sea of ideas and uses practical examples to provide a short list of suggestions that foundations, government, and nonprofits can implement together to improve the effectiveness of American philanthropy.

"This is prime time for a report that provides foundations, the government, and nonprofits with effective solutions for a more accountable and transparent sector," said Mary M. Lassen, interim executive director of NCRP. "Building Solid Foundations will be of use to anyone who is concerned with the proper use of philanthropic dollars to affect social justice in our society."

Building Solid Foundations: New Approaches to Substantive Philanthropic Accountability, which is available at www.ncrp.org, is a must-read for foundations interested in strengthening their transparency and increasing their efficacy; policymakers interested in implementing regulatory methods for philanthropy; and nonprofits that want to engage foundations in a two-way conversation about effective social change.