reform

A version at the commanding heights of elite private foundations, too, would do much good—for those foundations, for charity, and for the country.

In the wake of his recent article “Think Tanks Have Defeated Democracy,” the economist and policy analyst talks to Michael E. Hartmann about populism and the role of tax-incentivized philanthropy in supporting think tanks, how best to consider reforming the nonprofit sector, and how artificial intelligence might radically reshape it.

With Michael E. Hartmann, the economist and policy analyst talks about his recent article “Think Tanks Have Defeated Democracy;” why the U.S. has so many think tanks; how that differs from other democracies; and what philanthropy, its own managerial elite, and the one it funds have done to civil society rightly understood and democracy in America.

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

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 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.

After discussing some positive trends in philanthropy, the nonprofit-sector leader talks to Craig Kennedy and Michael E. Hartmann about several of its problems and areas for potential reform—including making a few specific suggestions.

Just one barrier stands in the way of a payout increase: Conservatives’ fear that an increase in foundation giving would largely fund election-adjacent projects and groups promoting progressive causes, instead of just funding programs that provide services to communities in need.

To survive future scrutiny, foundations need to reform how and where they give.

The author of a book on Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation talks to Michael E. Hartmann about Melinda French Gates’ grantmaking, as well as potential aggressive policy reforms of philanthropy and whether they could ever be cooperatively pursued by those of different worldviews.

A regular curation.

Wealthy foundations and nonprofits need to change their ways—not scare the rest of the field into submission.

The think-tank fellow and accounting professor discuss ways to think about any potential legal and regulatory reforms of donor-advised funds.

The think-tank fellow and accounting professor talk to Michael E. Hartmann about their research and writing on donor-advised funds (DAFs) in general and why they’re controversial—along with different kinds of DAF sponsors, and their different focuses and emphases, in particular.

Steve Taylor urges local nonprofit leaders in Republican districts to let their representatives know about the supposed dangers of proposed nonprofit tax-law reforms. With the moral authority of the nonprofit sector now so diminished, policymakers may ask some reasonable questions of them.

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.

No matter how you frame it, we’ve professionalized, optimized, and branded our way into stagnation and retreat. We treated the gift like an input in a machine.

Casey Michel’s book explores, among other things, the growing problem of foreign funding of U.S. nonprofits in order to exert political influence. Addressing this issue might be the best initial opportunity for cross-ideological, bipartisan cooperation toward meaningful nonprofit-sector reform—perhaps leading to broader, bolder efforts against Big Philanthropy and its increasingly stretched definitions of charity.

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

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

To some, a “parade of horribles,” or a “slippery slope;” to others, a “menu of options.”

The funders and nonprofits reshaping American life.

A new day.

“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.”

“[W]hy shouldn’t tax be collected before the money is given away?”

In discussion with Charity Reform Initiative associate director Bella DeVaan and Giving Review co-editor Michael E. Hartmann, the editor and journalist talks about donor-advised funds and the challenges of, and prospects for, potential reform of the laws and regulations structuring the nonprofit sector more generally.

In discussion with Charity Reform Initiative associate director Bella DeVaan and Giving Review co-editor Michael E. Hartmann, the editor and journalist talks about his important recent article on “The Left’s Fragile Foundations;” philanthropy and politics in general, including funding of voter-registration projects in particular; and liberal and conservative grantmaking, including in the wake of populism’s ascendance.

On the basis of his long experience in the sector, the advisor, observer, and commentator talks to Michael E. Hartmann about those against DAF reform, some of the different kinds of nonprofit board members, different types of grantmaking strategies and tactics, and the underappreciated value of staffs at nonprofits.

According to an Ipsos poll commissioned by Inequality.org in cooperation with The Giving Review, most Americans are unaware of details about philanthropy. When presented with specific statements describing policy concepts and ideas, though, many reform ideas are supported by a solid majority, both on the left and right.

Anonymous donations to controversial anti-Israel groups shine a spotlight on the urgent need for donor-advised fund reform. Will this finally motivate Congress to pass much-needed legislation?

And argues for charity reform.

Contemplating a framework for Schedule F that would default to full disclosure of all foreign grant recipients, but also provide an exception allowing for redaction when there is a genuine safety threat.

The association executive talks to Craig Kennedy and Michael E. Hartmann about donor-advised funds, charity and politics, and the attention-getting op-ed in support of civility and pluralism in the sector that she signed with five others.

The association executive talks to Craig Kennedy and Michael E. Hartmann about populism and polarization, the minimum-distribution requirement for private foundations, and foundations’ uses of donor-advised funds.

Recognizing a tenuous credibility, and reviving a true charity.

A lengthening list.

Editor David Callahan notes that philanthropic and nonprofit trade groups might “be out of touch with their own communities.”

Worth exploring.

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