When the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund was established in 1991, it’s entrance onto the philanthropic scene was met with much consternation by community foundations. But recent statistics would suggest, at least on the surface, that its presence may drive giving in a good direction. NPQ’s Rick Cohen recently discussed the Gift Fund’s recent track record with Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund CEO Sarah Libbey.
The more things change, the more they stay the same in philanthropy, it seems. A few years ago, foundations were hot to trot in response to Montana Senator Max Baucus’s call for the foundation community to double its measly grantmaking to rural America in a five year period. So what happened when the incoming chair of the Senate Finance Committee conveyed his concerns about the philanthropic pittance reaching rural states and communities?
The newswires are awash with reports that ACORN has gone under and dissolved, but ACORN itself says something somewhat different. ACORN has suffered some significant financial challenges in the wake of the pimp-and-prostitute video sting, the organization’s image and reputation took body blows that were not helped by unrelenting negative coverage on Fox News, and ACORN’s hard-to-find announcement of a positive and forthright plan for implementing independent recommendations left some observers hanging. It seems ACORN is down, but not officially out.
Nonprofit news from around the country and the world. Today, hospital’s tax exemption yanked, the state of social media fundraising, fiscal reform not slash and burn and more.
Philanthropy is voluntary action for the common good. People voluntarily give their time and / or their money. Voluntarily. Not because they were pressured by a friend or were exchanging favors with a business associate. Or fulfilling some obligation.
Though we may be drawn to it in our reading choices and sometimes, regrettably in our personal relationships, mystery is something most of us would rather not see as a major characteristic of philanthropic institutions. Especially when our view of the door leading to the riches is obscured. 
An new executive director asks about founder over-involvement and husband and wife board members. 
