September 2008

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
- Albert Pike, American lawyer, journalist and soldier

The Transforming Social Enterprise
Nonprofits on the brink of transformation

HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL - Kash Rangan is the pioneer of the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative. Launched in 1993, the initiative aimed to develop the potential for research, curriculum, and career development around the challenges of social enterprises. In Rangan's view, the sector is poised on the brink of transformation, a topic he enthusiastically expounded upon during a recent interview. read more...

Are You Paying Too Much Taxes?
Don't give to Caesar one penny more than what he deserves

KARDIA PLANNING - Kardia Planning found that over the years nearly all of its clients had been "donating" substantially more to the IRS in income taxes than necessary. It is good stewardship to ensure that clients maximize the dollars that flow to inheritance, investments and worthy charities rather than overpaying the government. read more...

Money to Grow On
Few donors are treating their gifts as investments

SOCIAL INNOVATION REVIEW - In the for-profit world, the term "investment" has clear meaning. Yet foundations and other nonprofit donors have not developed similar clarity or approaches. As a result, the nonprofit sector’s greatest gems often languish well below their full potential. By better translating for-profit concepts, donors can learn how to scout out and grow the best nonprofits. read more...

How Long Should Gifts Just Grow?
New pressure on nonprofits: make money flow out faster

NEW YORK TIMES - AS nonprofit institutions have seen donations and investments grow spectacularly in recent years, the urge to keep the money rolling in is being supplemented by a new pressure: make it flow out faster. To really attack social problems, foundations and other nonprofits need to open their spigots much wider. read more...

Red Cross' Debt Grows
Hurricanes deplete the Red Cross relief fund

ARIZONA REPUBLIC - The wave of storms battering the U.S. has plunged the American Red Cross deep into debt, prompting a searching look at how to stabilize its finances. The embattled charity's president said even a request for federal funding is under consideration as the Red Cross seeks to become less dependent on spontaneous donations that arrive only in the wake of huge disasters. read more...

The Case Against Disaster Relief
Does disaster relief "aid" actually help those in need?

GIVEWELL BLOG - When a natural disaster and humanitarian crisis hits the headlines, many of us reach straight for our wallets. Emergencies grab our attention more than the chronic health problems that plague the developing world. But emergency aid is one of the worst uses of donations, despite being one of the most emotionally compelling. read more...

Glamour & Charity: Children of the Wealthy
Party-going with a purpose

THE INDEPENDENT - They have it all: wealth, looks, youth and hordes of A-list friends. All they need is something to do. In the past, the children of the super-wealthy would squander their inheritances on an idle life of jet-set partying. Now, increasingly, today's crop of heirs, and particularly heiresses, are devoting their lives to charity. read more...

The Implications of Nonprofit Financial Decisions
Does diversified revenue develop financial soundness?

NONPROFIT QUARTERLY - Does a diversified revenue base make for a more profitable—and therefore sustainable—nonprofit? Does government funding create big financial problems? Does owning a facility improve an organization’s financial health? In a recent study, the Nonprofit Finance Fund set out to test these nuggets of conventional wisdom. Unsurprisingly, the findings show that the conventional wisdom often falls short of describing reality. read more...

How to Change the World
Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas

All of us look around and see things that need to be changed. That’s the easy part. What is it that makes someone actually be the change? How to Change the World looks into the lives of nine people (and actually many more) who used innovative ways to bring about needed change in places all over the world, from India to D.C. Soon after their success, Ashoka, an organization that sponsors a fellows program to foster social innovation by finding so-called social entrepreneurs to support, came into the picture. Bill Bradley says that "The social entrepreneurs chronicled in this book are part of the vital generation of independent, creative leaders." buy at Amazon.com...