Philanthropy by definition is a noble endeavor. Yet people want to know, “what good does philanthropy do?” The answer is hard to get, partly because philanthropy doesn’t really want to know, and evaluation doesn’t really know how to serve up good answers. This article illuminates the dilemma. […]
Doubling down on Education has long been a favorite policy option when unrest brews and the people in charge realize there’s trouble ahead. “Something must be done.” Education is the time-honored ticket to the comfort […]
“Barriers to progress? Foundations should support solutions, not put up barriers to progress. Even foundations who claim to be in the business of tackling big systemic problems insist on funding short-term projects with easily countable […]
As we said after Katrina, foundations have many useful assets – purchasing power, influence and leadership, knowledge of communities, and development know-how – all of which can be used creatively to aid a more equitable reconstruction of Gulf Coast communities wrecked by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. […]
The “assets model of community development,” as distinct from the “deficits model,” has really caught on in philanthropy in the last 30 years. Articulated first by John McKnight at the Asset-Based Community Development Institute, the […]
In “Making a Difference #3” we talked about a charitable organization with a straightforward mission, “serving those most in need.” The organization then uses what seems to be a straightforward measure of success, “pounds of […]
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