philanthropy

Donors and their advisors are going to have to come out from behind the desks and get out into the neighborhoods and see first-hand the sort of work that’s being done.

Remembering her guidance in recognizing and supporting it.

And of the philanthropy that supports it.

Why foundations should invest in operating capacity.

Virtue, decency, civil society, democracy, and subsidy.

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.

The Northwestern Pritzker School of Law professor talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the “clerisy” and how to think about the relationship of the wealthy and their philanthropy to it.

If every gift begins as an act of freedom, then philanthropy rests on something more vulnerable and more significant than revenue flow. It rests on the capacity of persons to initiate—to step forward without guarantee and begin something that did not exist before.

A regular curation.

And the bluster.

The Ronald Reagan Institute senior fellow talks to Michael E. Hartmann more about how the right should consider what to do about problems caused by the left’s intermingling with and reliance on politicized nonprofits.

The Ronald Reagan Institute senior fellow talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the left’s nonprofit problem and its history, origins, and effects, and how to consider doing something about it.

A compilation of interesting and insightful thinking from the last four of nine recorded discussions since July about grantmaking and giving.

David Callahan is (about 90%) right, and he will still be after next November 3.

An end-of-year collection of interesting and insightful passages.

The nonprofit-sector leader talks to Craig Kennedy and Michael E. Hartmann about the politics of policy reform in philanthropy, the pressures brought to bear on those either proposing or receptive to reform, and the importance of the nonprofit sector.

The editor, author, and former nonprofit leader talks to Michael E. Hartmann about whether his critiques of the nonprofit sector apply more to grantmakers than grant recipients, whether there’s a distinction between civil society and the nonprofit sector, generational differences within and mission creep on the part of nonprofits, the benefits of incrementalism in any practical change or policy reform of the sector, and his recommendations for nonprofit leaders in reacting to the nonprofit crisis.

The editor, author, and former nonprofit leader talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the nature of the nonprofit crisis, the fairness of some (cross-ideological) critiques of the nonprofit sector, the effects of political polarization on responding to the crisis, and the need for some introspection in and reform of the sector.

Without any internal pressure for change from conservatives, philanthropy will remain what it has always been: the wellspring of progressive thought and action.

In Laura K. Field’s book on the “making of the new MAGA right,” there could be no mythologizable, pre-2016 “Powell memo.” Since ’16, a different conservative intellectual infrastructure has arisen and is still developing, with new thinking and organizations and changed old groups—all with generally also-different and still-developing funding support.

A regular curation.

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.

The attorney and think-tank fellow talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the increased scrutiny of the nonprofit sector, the potential effects of that scrutiny on civil society, the Trump administration’s recently reported plans to enhance the IRS’s criminal-investigative division, and the potential effects of that enhancement on philanthropy and nonprofits.

As conservatives consider how best to revitalize and depoliticize civil society in America approaching its semiquincentennial celebration, still-relevant thoughts on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector from 2009.

Ross Douthat properly laments the influence and power of activists and elites effecting dramatic change outside the democratic process and then trying to survive or sidestep backlash from voters.

The former director of special projects at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and current policy fellow at the Ash Center’s Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation talks with Michael E. Hartmann about the various trade-offs in the relationships with government of legacy foundations and the new institutional vehicles that bigger, trillionaire philanthropists likely will use in the coming years, along with the growing global role of American givers.

With Michael E. Hartmann, the former director of special projects at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and current policy fellow at the Ash Center’s Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation talks about his work and research interests, differences between the billionaire philanthropy of the past and the trillionaire philanthropy of the future, and whether the tensions of each with democracy will also be different.

Comparing and contrasting.

A compilation of interesting and insightful thinking from the last six of 13 recorded discussions so far this year about grantmaking and giving.

A regular curation.

Today’s polarization between left-wing Democrats and populist conservative Republicans is also a polarization between two radically different understandings of giving.

A regular curation.

Remembering and honoring the best of conservatism, philanthropy, and conservative philanthropy.

And the damage likely to be done if it takes his advice to deepen involvement in partisan politics.

The think-tank fellow and higher-education researcher talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the necessary scrutiny of and unfortunate lack of transparency in much philanthropically supported programs and projects in higher education, along with what he thinks conservative grantmakers can and should consider doing in the area.

The think-tank fellow and higher-education researcher talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the Mellon Foundation’s and other grantmakers’ substantial support of the “scholar-activist pipeline” and how it tilts colleges and universities to the left.

The Indiana University professor talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the challenges of interpreting survey data about trust in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector and, the historical “paradox of nonprofit trustworthiness,” and the relationship between civil society and the state writ large—as well as, writ smaller and looking ahead, that between exempt nonprofitdom and the tax system.

Conceptions of civil society among populist conservative writers and thinkers and in magazines and journals open to populist conservatism.

The sociologist talks to Michael E. Hartmann about what happened in previous Great Awokenings, the choice before symbolic capitalists in the face of growing populist reaction against them, the similarity of symbolic capitalists in conservative philanthropy and the rest of philanthropy, and recommendations for how they should all defend themselves and their position during the coming years.

The sociologist talks to Michael E. Hartmann about symbolic capitalists in general and in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector in particular, how they exacerbate a lot of problems, and why the growth in their numbers has been making things even worse.

Republican lawmakers are committed to nonprofit reform in 2025. That could spell challenges for the field.

A regular curation.

The funders and nonprofits reshaping American life.

“Using tax privileges, matching grants, special restrictions, and unique legal devices, the modern state gives the practice of philanthropy its particular strength and texture,” according to Theodore M. Lechterman. “Which if any of these regulatory strategies can be justified requires careful analysis and evaluation.”

A selection of recent reviews.

A reminder of a previous willingness to offer harsh conservative criticism of Big Philanthropy, and of that which gave rise to the critique.

The editor of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute journal talks to Michael E. Hartmann about recent developments in, the current states of, and potential future directions for conservatism and philanthropy, including conservative philanthropy in particular.

The tension between strategic philanthropy and Erlebnis is not resolved by our typical, chirpy rejoinder “Why can’t we just do both?”—which always evokes satisfied nods at conferences where these matters are discussed.

Lots of data and analysis about giving and volunteering.

Tevi Troy’s newest book tells stories about the relationships between presidents and corporate titans who became charitable givers—prominently including interesting and entertaining ones about Theodore Roosevelt and John D. Rockefeller, Sr., essentially a founder of establishment philanthropy in America.

The Substack writer talks to Michael E. Hartmann and Daniel P. Schmidt about the concept of a parallel polis to stand against progressive managerialism, whether such polei are political, whether there might already be one or the beginning of one in America, and how conservative philanthropy could and should support one.

The Substack writer talks to Michael E. Hartmann and Daniel P. Schmidt about his newsletter, Gnosticism, progressive managerialism, the Ford Foundation, philanthropy’s role in the ideological revolution, and what could perhaps be done about it.

A regular curation.

A call for more scrutiny and consideration of the role of elite grantmaking institutions and what they’re doing in, and to, America.

A regular curation.

A regular curation.

A regular curation.

ICYMI.

A regular curation.

Where will we speak candidly?

In large part because of him—his warmth, his wit, his wisdom—a great group that got along and, we think, did some good.

Conversation reviews year in philanthropy.

Subcommittee on Oversight members and hearing witnesses mull some potential reforms.

A regular curation.

Newly including philanthropic support for activities leading up to and in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

“[A]cross the political divide.”

A regular curation.

A regular curation.

A regular curation.

Philanthropy and data, oxytocin and neurological unity, and love and charity in Arthur C. Brooks’ new book on the culture of contempt.

The University of Chicago sociologist talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the political construction of philanthropy and charity, current strains on that construction, a potential revival of mutual aid, and what it might mean for our us all as a nation.

Fifteen years after publication of his book on the John M. Olin Foundation, its author talks to Michael E. Hartmann and Daniel P. Schmidt about Olin himself, his decision to “sunset” the foundation, the reasons for its success, and whether—and if so, how—other conservative givers could replicate that success now and in the future.

And now.

Checking the power of progressive Big Philanthropy An updated collection of various recent ideas to reform philanthropy Plutocrats and their philanthropy: More ideas for saving the soul of the charitable sector Conservatives should applaud—not fight—efforts to change philanthropic giving rules We agree, foundations should be held accountable for high salaries and staggering expenses What would… Continue reading A collection of Giving Review articles about or related to philanthropy reform

Elisabeth S. Clemens’ book—including its description of the March of Dimes, what would now be properly considered a “working charity,” in the polio crusade—impressively details questions about roles of, and relationship between, public and private sectors in meeting social challenges through American history.

Including about the charitable and the political.

A year-end collection of interesting and insightful thinking about grantmaking and giving.

A year-end collection of interesting and insightful thinking about grantmaking and giving.

A year-end collection of interesting and insightful passages.

The risky confidence and nihilistic moral certainty of an intelligentsia.

Elisabeth S. Clemens impressively details questions about proper roles of, and relationship between, public and private sectors in meeting social challenges through American history.

In the wake of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York’s disavowal of Margaret Sanger.

A year-end collection of interesting and insightful quotes.

What may become a common way of “contracting out” the role of ensuring steadfast adherence to the will of the donor.

As establishment philanthropy defends its position in American society, it would do well to tend to more than just one flank.

You may have missed it.

The Madison Initiative director talks about Congress, the initiative’s grantees, and “philanthropic pluralism.”

The Madison Initiative director talks about his early career, management consulting, and philanthropy.

If we’re moving from an “information age” to a “reputation age,” what are the implications for funding public discourse?

We’re in the midst one of the most-drastic changes in the flow of information in history. Policy-oriented funders need to change their strategies accordingly.

As the current Brewers owner says, “Teams can go in two directions” when major setbacks happen.

A “come-to-history” moment about the long and winding road ahead, deeper into a dictatorship of virtue.

Examining some proposals.

We have been here before: a debate about capitalism between clerics and capitalists occurred during preparation of a bishops’ pastoral letter on the economy in America almost four decades ago. The lay letter on the economy warrants serious re-examination, given the new debates into which its concepts should be re-introduced.

Picking up on its potential wider implications, including for philanthropy.

Picking up on aspects of good policy-oriented giving.

Conservatives should rethink their giving and look elsewhere.

And where to look for rebuilding self-governance.

Another option, to which one might think there would be more receptivity.

On Labor Day, remembering Penn Kemble … and Robert Nisbet.

And philanthropy.

Overcoming temptations and the tragic with tough-mindedness and long-termism.

Reflections on my co-editors’ conversation with Howard Fuller.

Daniel P. Schmidt and Michael E. Hartmann talk to the Hudson Institute senior fellow and former Joyce Foundation and German Marshall Fund president about philanthropy and international affairs.

The Syracuse University professor and former Kauffman Foundation president talks about business plans and entrepreneurship, including philanthropic efforts to support it, with Michael E. Hartmann.

The civil-rights and parent-choice activist talks to Daniel P. Schmidt and Michael E. Hartmann about philanthropy, education reform, and the principles driving his work.

Too tidy and convenient an explanation for today’s conservative policy activism.

“Let’s you and him fight.”

Casting a wide net.

Liberally educated generalists with range, rather than narrowly focused specialists with technical expertise and sometimes-overbearing confidence.

And for conservative philanthropy, a small measure of comfort.

More are recognizing America’s “identity crisis” as urgent.

Searching for isolated, but incredibly powerful voices of authentic experience with utopian progressivism, who can speak about its excesses with an authority that scholars and activists don’t possess.

It may sometimes be a good idea for policy-oriented givers to consider supporting those on the other side of an otherwise-overarching ideological divide or with another worldview.

Civil society should not be seen by experts, or funders, merely as a tool to solve social problems.

Michael E. Hartmann talks to the president of The Center for Effective Philanthropy and author of “Giving Done Right: Effective Philanthropy and Making Every Dollar Count.”

A decade-old report still has much to teach us.

Restoring a more patient philanthropy means backing away from the obsession with immediate policy and political outcomes.

The story of conservative policy philanthropy from Barry Goldwater to Donald Trump.

A documentary that details the fight over the stewardship of a $25-billion art collection raises enduring questions of donor intent.

Conservative philanthropy appears to be on the threshold of a new phase in its history.

Should you give to charity based on emotional ties or on calculated rational analysis?