Declining trust in private foundations reflects a broader and deeper distrust of wealth and philanthropic power. Foundations should be wary of sacrificing donor intent and philanthropic freedom in any effort to regain public approval.
Doesn’t seem as if there’s much pluralism in large-foundation employees’ reported political contributions.
The education scholar and reform advocate talks to Michael E. Hartmann more about philanthropic support of higher-ed reform, including for non-billionaires, the risks and drawbacks of funding conservative “beachhead” centers within existing universities in particular, and what ordinary citizens can do about the problems of and being caused by higher ed—as well as more about nonprofitdom’s privileged tax status.
The education scholar and reform advocate talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the K-12 school-choice and higher-education reform efforts, including philanthropic support of them—as well as the structural challenges for, and tax-advantaged status of, nonprofits involved in reform.
As many are examining how AI-generated fortunes may reshape philanthropy, the enduring historical lesson of John D. Rockefeller for them should be more than simply his extraordinary private generosity. It should also include putting institutionalized, tax-incentivized giving in its proper place in America’s democratic order.
Remembering her guidance in recognizing and supporting it.
The Brandeis University professor talks to Michael E. Hartmann about differences in the two parties’ policy networks, corporate support of both networks, and how to consider improving the research product available to policymakers and the public, including by strengthening parties.
The Brandeis University professor talks to Michael E. Hartmann about how so many think tanks have become partisan political organizations, including the role of their funding in the process.
The Northwestern Pritzker School of Law professor talks to Michael E. Hartmann about America as both a commercial republic and a philanthropic republic; the relationship between the civil society about which Alexis de Tocqueville wrote and the tax-incentivized nonprofit sector in its current form; the wealthy and artificial intelligence; and sensible regulation and who’s best positioned to formulate it.
Without any internal pressure for change from conservatives, philanthropy will remain what it has always been: the wellspring of progressive thought and action.
The attorney and think-tank fellow talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the government’s high burden to prove a grantmaker’s criminal liability for the activities of a grantee, the narrow circumstances under which any such liability would be found, and steps to avoid risking liability.
A modest 1 or 2 percent increase could significantly benefit the nonprofit sector.
How many more wake-up calls?
Republican lawmakers are committed to nonprofit reform in 2025. That could spell challenges for the field.
Eleven colleges with a combined total of $270 billion; six foundations totaling $163 billion.
Center for Effective Philanthropy report on policy-oriented foundations underscores importance of tightening thinking behind strategies and improving formulation and development of tactics—together, and for longer than usually first expected.
