Responsive Philanthropy Article Archive

Date of release

Title and author(s)

Summer 2013

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Full Iissue: Summer 2013 (HTML |  PDF)

COF 2.0: Is This What the Field of Philanthropy Really Needs? by by Doug Bauer

A Region at the Crossroads: Why Grantmakers Need to Prioritizie Investments for Structurual Change in the South by Lavastian Glenn

Transformative Philanthropy: Supporting Institution-Based Community Organizing by Molly Schultz Hafid and Kathy Partridge

Standard Prescription for Philanthropic ADD by Kevin Laskowski

Member Spotlight: Blue Shield of California Foundation

Spring 2013
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Changing the Culture of Philanthropy in Michigan: From Audacious Beginnings to Real Results by Vicki Rosenberg

How Underfunded Native Nonprofits Beat the Odds to Protect Water Rights by Lisa Ranghelli

Building Bridges: The Power of Multi-Issue Advocacy and Organizing by Niki Jagpal

Member Spotlight: National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC)

Winter 2012-13
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Supporting Litigation and Legal Advocacy: The Lessons of Citizens United By John F. Kowal

What America Needs Now from Foundations By Aaron Dorfman

Challenge and Hope: Philanthropy and Community Democracy By Peter Pennekamp and Anne Focke

Boosting Philanthropic Impact Through Mission Investments By Tracy Kartye

Member Spotlight: Bauman Foundation

Fall 2012
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Responsive Philanthropy in Black Communities by Karen Kelley-Ariwoola

Specialist or Generalist: A False Dichotomy by Christine Doby and Christine Reeves

Bolder Together: Collaboration to Strengthen Civic Engagement Capacity in California by Mary Manuel

Member Spotlight: Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)

Summer 2012
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Full Issue: Summer 2012 ( HTML | PDF )

Redirecting International Environmental Grantmaking by Terry Odendahl and Peter Kostishack

Community Foundations as Parters in the Public Policy Process: What It Takes by Deborah A. Ellwood

5 Principles of Global Feminist Philanthropy by Kellea Miller and Caitlin Stanton with Esther Lever

First Relationships. Then Results. by Stefan Lanfer

Member Spotlight: Consumer Health Foundation

Spring 2012
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Towards Transformative Change in Health Care: An Update by Terri Langston and Jennifer Ng'andu

How to Change Behavior in Philanthropy: Factors and Barriers that Influence Foundation Practices by Spence Limbocker

Member Spotlight: National Council of La Raza

Winter 2011-12
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Full issue: Winter 2011-12

Fall 2011
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Summer 2011
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Full Issue: Summer 2011

Foundation-Nonprofit Partnerships: Fact or Fiction? by Jan Masaoka

The Power of "We": A Journey through Collaboration by Frank Baiocchi

Why Sign On to Philanthropy's Promise?

Improving the Social Utility of Philanthropic Investments by David Wood

Member Spotlight: Tides Foundation by Meredith Brodbeck

Full Issue: Spring 2011

Philanthropy's Blind Spot: The Disability Rights Movement (.pdf)
Philanthropy's Blind Spot: The Disability Rights Movement (.doc) by Jim Dickson

In the Limelight Again: Why Labor Unions Matter to Philanthropy by Lisa Ranghelli

Advancing Transparency in Philanthropy - An interview with Janet Camarena

What Philanthropy Can Learn from Bankers about General Support and Multi-Year Grants by Sean Dobson

Member Spotlight: National People's Action by Meredith Brodbeck

Full issue: Winter 2010/2011

A User's Guide to NCRP's Criteria for Philanthropy at Its Best by Daniel Jae-Won Lee

Building Capacity of Nonprofits to Better Serve Older Adults by Mary O’Donnell

Bringing Nonprofit Advocacy Rules and Culture into the 21st Century by Larry Ottinger

Accelerating the Movement to Transform Philanthropy by Diane Feeney and Aaron Dorfman

Member Spotlight: Mertz Gilmore Foundation by Meredith Brodbeck

Our Journey Towards Board Diversity by Sherry Magill

Healing America: A Funder's Commitment to Racial Equity by Gail Christopher

Member Spotlight: Human Services Coalition by Meredith Brodbeck

4/29: Revisiting the Legacy of Civil Unrest in Los Angeles Eighteen Years Later by Lisa Ranghelli

Soothing the Pain Points in Grant Reporting by Michelle Greanias

Member Spotlight: Edward W. Hazen Foundation by Meredith Brodbeck

The Count that Matters: Philanthropy and the 2010 Census by Wade Henderson

Adapting to Changed Times by Kathleen P. Enright

Funding in Indian Country: What is the Tipping Point for Success? by Joy Persall

James E. Canales: On the James Irvine Foundation's Annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment

Member Spotlight: Southern Mutual Help Association by Meredith Brodbeck

Are We Making Progress? Reflections on the LGBTQ Movement, Social Justice & Philanthropy by Karen Zelermyer

Struck by the Stars: How the Search for Celebrity CEOs is Undermining Diversity in Philanthropy by Vincent Robinson

Making Progress Toward Increasing Funding for Advocacy, Community Organizing and Civic Engagement by Melissa Johnson

Member Spotlight: PICO National Network by Meredith Brodbeck

Summer 2009
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How Can Philanthropy Navigate the Economic Storm? by Kyle Caldwell

Philanthropy's Commitment to the Common Good by Alison Goldberg

Rethinking the Philanthropic Script: Community Philanthropy, Collective Giving and Giving Circles by Darryl Lester and Athan Lindsay

Greensboro Gathering Highlights Impressive Advocacy Impacts and Return on Investment for Grantmakers by Lisa Ranghelli and Julia Craig

Member Spotlight: The Little Tokyo Service Center by Meredith Brodbeck

Nonprofits Extend a Hand to Foundations by Tim Delaney

Grantmaking for Community Impact Project in New Mexico by Lisa Ranghelli

Project Streamline's Charge: Changing the Grantmaking Status Quo by Michelle Greanis and Taylor Kate Brown

Spotlight: Luz Vega-Marquis—Marguerite Casey Foundation Talks About Bringing Families into the Forefront of a National Campaign for Change by Kristina C. Moore

When Taking Risks Pay Off by Cecilia Laiche

Changing the World for All: A New Approach by Niki Jagpal

In Their Own Words: Foundation Trade Association CEOs Brief Their Members on Issues Inside the Beltway by Aaron Dorfman

Setting the Stage for Transformational Change by Robert Hohler

Article comments on the efforts of private philanthropy to revive Gulf states after hurricanes Rita and Katrina ravaged the region in 2005, primarily in New Orleans.

Making Environmental Justice a National Priority by Albert Huang, Dimple Chaudhary, and Patrice Simms, Natural Resources Defence Council

Although local organizations can make real inroads in achieving environmental justice, learn how national environmental groups can empower local communities to create meaningful social change.

Warming Up to Environmentalism by Kevin Kovaleski

As concerns grow for the way humans are impacting the environment, evangelical groups are increasingly getting involved, couching the issue as a moral one. Read about the connection between the two and what strategies evangelical groups are employing.

Whose Environment Will Be Funded? by Elly Kugler

Article suggests ways to balance popular appeal and community accountability to work on environmental justice issues.

The New Same Old Story by Nichole Maher

From the perspective of the urban Indian community organizations involved, Nichole Maher, executive director of the Native American Youth and Family Center, outlines conditions American Indians/Alaskan Natives face in their communities and discusses, in particular, the ethics of intervention and the subject of cultural sensitivity.

The Northwest Area Foundation's Urban Indian Experience by Karl N. Stauber

Karl Stauber, the Foundation’s president, recounts the foundation’s experience in working with the community nonprofits, and explains the Foundation’s decision to deny a community partnership proposal that did not align correctly with its aims.

The Same Goals Through Different Lenses: A Foundation-Grantee Dialogue on Poverty, Gone Awry by Rick Cohen

In this article Rick Cohen discusses the complexity of the relationship between the Northwest Area Foundation and the Urban Indian Community Groups and points to some valuable lessons for the sector.

Rick Cohen questions why the Council on Foundations would choose Newt Gingrich as a keynote speaker, since he was previously under scrutiny by the IRS.

Defining Values & Freedom: How the Right's Perspective and Strategies Win by Jeff Krehely

Jeff Krehely, former deputy director of NCRP, asks important questions about the future of charity in the US and the direction philanthropy is potentially headed. Included are remarks made by Krehely at the Hudson Institute regarding John Miller’s A Gift of Freedom and the history of the Olin Foundation.

Jeff Krehely discusses billionaire and Domino’s founder Thomas Monaghan’s hand in conservative philanthropy and explores how his religious ideology has had an effect on politics and higher education.

The authors discuss the United States’ pivotal move to abolish the juvenile death penalty after most other nations had already done so.

Helen Vinton expresses concern over potential threats to the Community Reinvestment Act and its effects on rural America.

Alan Robinowitz discusses the collective effort put forth by nonprofits to speak out against the CFC’s new terror list check requirements for nonprofits.

Rick Cohen discusses BusinessWeek’s top 50 givers list in comparison to the generosity of low-to-middle income Americans' giving and explores the top 50's giving practices.

Marissa Guananja explores the concept of affinity groups, specifically in relation to the Council on Foundations, and discusses how they affect the networking capabilities of the sector.

Sarah S. Miller discusses the legislation mandating that nonprofit organizations establish audit committees. This legislation was introduced by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and has been contested inside and outside the sector.

Pete Manzo explains what is missing in the new California Nonprofit Integrity Bill and how what is included in the bill will be hard for nonprofits to achieve.

The authors describe the weak capacities of nonprofits in New Mexico and make suggestions for capacity-building within the state.

Jeff Krehely discusses recent efforts made by Congress to reform the philanthropic sector, the challenges and shortcomings in attempting reform and NCRP’s role in the process.

John Russell discusses the effort of James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family Action, to connect religion and partisan politics.

NCRP Debuts at Senate Hearing by Rick Cohen

Rich Cohen explains NCRP’s role in the Senate hearing regarding accountability in the nonprofit sector and discusses the key issues at stake.

The Uprising of 2003 by Sarah Stranahan

Sarah Stranahan discusses the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed ownership deregulation of the media and the resulting uprising of consumers, nonprofit groups.

The Trouble With Rural by Rick Cohen

This article explores why the level of giving to nonprofits in rural America is disproportionately low and takes a look at rural philanthropy in the United States.

Giving the Hawaiian Way by Rhonda Funn, Lisa Oshiro, Robin Danner

The authors highlight the uniqueness and importance of a new fund, the Hawaiian Way Fund, as a means to sustain traditions in Hawaii.

Recent FEC Rulemaking And the Future of Nonprofit Lobbying by Liz Baumgarten, Bob Smucker

The authors describe how the Federal Election Committee’s proposed rules would affect and possibly drastically change the advocacy abilities of nonprofits.

Community-Based Public Foundations by Rick Cohen

Rick Cohen explains how CBPFs are increasingly successful in promoting social change and are receiving attention and respect from larger foundations.

Paying to Mind the Store by Rick Cohen & Jeff Krehely

Rick Cohen and Jeff Krehely lay out the case for reducing the foundation excise tax from 2 percent to 1 percent, as proposed in the 2005 Bush budget, but only if the revenue raised is directed towards the original purpose of oversight for foundations and the non-profit sector.

Strange Bedfellows by Rick Cohen

Rick Cohen casts his eyes west to the Rio Grande and to two high-profile political leaders on opposite sides of the river. Both Mexican First Lady Marta Sahagun de Fox and U.S. House Majority Leader Tom Delay have charitable foundations that appear to exist to allow economic and political interests to purchase access and influence more then philanthropy.

The Big Squeeze by Gary Bass, John Irons, Ellen Taylor, Executive Director, Staff Economist and senior economic, and senior budget policy analyst at OMB Watch.

Senior analysts at OMB Watch explain why monitoring the federal budget and proposed tax cuts is vital to the future of non-profits everywhere and examine the short and long term causes and consequences. The impact of decreasing government revenues and outlays is already being felt by non-profits as they feel the double squeeze of increased demand in services to make up for government shortfalls and reduced government funding.

Making Space for the Nonprofit Sector by China Brotsky|, Vice President of Special Projects for the Tides Family of Organizations

China Brotsky showcases the benefits and successes of multi-tenant nonprofit centers (MTNC), which eliminate the challenges of securing facilities, provide stability essential for long term foundation growth, and increased capacity and cooperation between non-profits located in the same facility. With affordable rent dollars paying off debt in a non-profit facility, nonprofit resources are leveraged for the long term.

Saying 'No' To Forever by Jeff Krehely

Not all foundations plan on lasting forever, as Jeff Krehely discovered when he examined the largely unreported phenomena of foundations deliberately spending down and not existing in perpetuity.

Advocating for Advocacy by Rick Cohen

Rick Cohen reflects on the results of an NCRP survey about what progressive funders think can be done to promote local and regional nonprofit public policy advocacy for social change.

Swoosh Philanthropy Redux by Rick Cohen

Rick Cohen revisits Nike’s global philanthropic track record after the company's recent free speech court settlement and recalls NCRP’s original 2002 assessment that “recruiting a non-profit to service the corporation might be socially responsible corporate behavior” but it is not philanthropy.

Communities, Unions Partner For Change by Henry Allen & Leigh Dingerson

The authors explore the history of the Neighborhood Funders Group (NFG), a national network of foundations committed to expanding support for organizations that help low-income people improve their communities, the Working Group on Labor and Community and their accomplishments, including the Partnerships for Change project.

NonProfit Salaries, Intermediate Sanctions And the New York Stock Exchange by Rick Cohen

Rich Cohen discusses a Chronicle of Philanthropy article that exposed exuberant salaries of some of the most prominent foundations in the country.

This article examines the success of the NYC Donor Education Collaborative in establishing and mobilizing a coordinated education reform coalition that restored a billion dollars to the 2003 NY state education budget.

Equality's Frontier by Allison McGee Johnson, Senior Communications Manager for the Gill Foundation

Following recent victories for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) movement Allison McGee advocates the need for increased funding for GLBT community in order to building upon recent successes and counter the better funded anti-gay groups.

From Reform to Retreat by Rick Cohen

Rich Cohen discusses why the House Ways and Means Committee’s modifying of a foundation spending reform provision (Section 105) of the Charitable Giving Act of 2003 is problematic.

Conservative Foundations And the Assault on Affirmative Action by Meaghan House & Constance A. Lindsay, NCRP Senior Research Associate and former NCRP Development Intern

As the Grutter v. Bollinger Supreme Court decision showed, the conservative assault on Affirmative Action is a strategic, well-funded, and politically astute movement. House and Lindsay explore the long-term coordination of conservative foundations as they move incrementally towards their goal of eliminating Affirmative Action.

Building Core Competency by Kaycee Misiewicz

Kaycee Misiewicz explains why there is a need for core operating support for nonprofits in addition to short-term and project-specific grants.

Foundation Alms for the Rich? by Sloan C. Wiesen

Sloan C. Wiesen discusses a study, released by the Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership, which suggests that money that could be support charitable grants is instead funding wealthy trustees.

Dr. Emmett D. Carson’s remarks to the Council of Foundation’s Board of Trustees in April, 2003 were published for the first time in Responsive Philanthropy. In his remarks, Dr. Carson addresses head-on some of the emerging issues facing foundations today, including increased scrutiny and calls for government oversight. He lays out stimulating new ideas he deems necessary for foundations to adapt to this new landscape.

Time for a New Commission on Philanthropy by Rick Cohen

Rick Cohen writes about the need for a successor to the Filer Commission due to corruption and accountability issues within foundations and well-off nonprofits.

Health Care Conversion Foundations Band Aid Solutions by John Hunsaker & Jeff Krehely, NCRP research associate, NCRP research director

Non-profit health care providers, facing tough competition from for-profit providers in a climate of soaring health care costs, are increasingly choosing to convert to for-profit enterprises, claiming it is the only way they can survive. However, the resulting shift leaves a large gap in coverage for those that need it most, which can not be filled by the foundations required to be formed by the transition.

Nonprofits Speak Up for Social Justice Agenda by Rick Cohen

Former NCRP Executive Director Rick Cohen presents responses from NCRP’s member survey on the evolving role and focus of NCRP and other nonprofits in the face of the upcoming years of the Bush administration. The article shares the member’s input on how to best advocate a social justice agenda in Republican dominated Washington and analyzes how NCRP will continue to play a leading role.

Panel Ponders 'Philanthropy In Troubled Times by Rachel Maleh

Rachel Maleh reports on the discussion topics at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s yearly philanthropy forum.

A Tax by Any Other Name by Abby R. Levine

Abby R. Levine discusses how many nonprofits across the country are being asked to make voluntary PILOTs, or “fair share” property-tax payments and what nonprofits should do about this.

Fraud After All by Rick Cohen

Rick Cohen discusses the Supreme Court verdict of fraudulent charitable telemarketing case, its implications for the philanthropic sector as well as American individuals, and lessons to be learned.

Funding Fair Voices of Faith by Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President of The Interfaith Alliance (TIA) and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation

The Rev. Dr. C Welton Gaddy, President of The Interfaith Alliance, champions the need to fund fair and inclusive voices of faith to counter the growing power of the religious right. And he reminds us that all Americans are worthy of religious liberty and freedom from discrimination, not just those that agree with James Dobson.

Free Speech or Fraud? by Rick Cohen

Former NCRP Executive Director Rick Cohen examines the growing issues of concern with the increase in for-profit telemarketing by nonprofits, highlighted in the U.S. Supreme Court case Ryan v. Telemarketing Associates (or Madigan v. Telemarketing Associates), against the larger issue of accounting and fundraising transparency.

Understanding Social Justice Philanthropy by Brenda Hanzi & John Hunsaker

Brenda Hanzi and John Hunsaker explore and define what social justice philanthropy means today and how it can create “change beyond charity.”

Americans With Disabilities Seek Access, Resources by Barbara Toomer, Secretary of the Board of the Disabled Rights Action Committee in Salt Lake City, community organizer for ADAPT/Utah, and a board member of the NCRP.

Barbara Toomer addresses the difficulties facing charities advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. Organizations dedicated to empowerment and equal rights face severe funding challenges compared to those with a mainstream medical and health orientation.

Eye on Local Advocacy in The Nation's Capital by Rick Cohen

Rick Cohen highlights the importance of public policy advocacy groups and discusses their low level of funding in comparison to other types of advocacy groups.