As the Association of Fundraising Professionals kicks off its ethics month, our opinion pages turn to tough questions facing donors, grant makers, and development professionals.
With response rates dropping in email and direct mail, more nonprofits are turning to text messaging to communicate with donors.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Grant Makers Want to Help People Use Their Voices
Some are working to get specific segments of the population more involved in civic affairs while others are taking a broader-based approach to educate people about the Constitution and the political system.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Fun With Gerrymandering: Mapping Software Gives Ordinary Citizens a Lesson in Civics
A group of seven grant makers in Pennsylvania recently ventured into some unusual territory for most of them: the arcane world of congressional redistricting.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Can Philanthropy Save Democracy?
A growing number of grant makers of all ideologies see restoring constructive dialogue among citizens and fairness at the ballot box as vital to their cause.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
As Distrust in Big Philanthropy Grows, Here’s How Leading Foundations Are Demonstrating Their Value
By seeking the views of the people they serve, diversifying their advisory bodies, and demonstrating how they learn what works, grant makers can cement their compact with society,
By Melissa A. Berman and Melissa Berman
Walton Family Foundation Taps Unicef USA Official as Leader (Transitions)
In other news about people in philanthropy, Nicholas Tedesco will become president and CEO of the National Center for Family Philanthropy.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Color of Change’s Bitter Feud With Facebook
The clash has gotten ugly at times as the president of Color of Change has pushed the social-media giant to curb online harassment of black activists and take down inflammatory posts by white nationalists.
By Michael Anft
Contributor
How to Incorporate Text Messaging Into Your Fundraising
Nonprofit officials and development consultants offer advice on how organizations can use text messaging to bring in donations.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
A Tricky Balance: Making Museums More Inclusive Without Demonizing Wealthy Patrons
Contradictions in the response by Darren Walker, head of the Ford Foundation, demonstrate the tensions facing many people in philanthropy.
By WILLIAM SCHAMBRA
Contributor
Creativity for a Cause — and for a Living
The entrepreneurial model of Art Enables gives people with disabilities the opportunity to market their work and earn an income.
By Ariella Phillips
Contributor
Experimentation and Failure Are What Lead to Successful Advocacy
In the fight for LGBT rights, the Gill Foundation acknowledged and embraced failure, refined its approach, and tried again — ultimately helping to achieve unprecedented advances for equal rights despite being far outspent by the opposition.
By Philanthropist
Contributor
MIT Scandal Exposes a Crisis of Ethics at All Nonprofits
At too many charities, we value donations over everything else. If fundraisers don’t work to improve the situation, we face loss of trust from donors and possible government regulation.
By Assistant Vice President At Kees
Contributor
Impact Investing Plays an Important Role in TechSoup’s Growth Campaign
The organization seeks both gifts and debt investments in its $11.5 million drive to expand technology services to nonprofits.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Crowdsourced List of Museum Salaries Goes Viral, Exposing Pay Inequities
An idea that came up at a happy hour earlier this year prompted an informal information-gathering project that has drawn a worldwide response.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Outspoken Donor Says Philanthropy Must Change — Both Fundraisers and Donors
Lisa Greer offers straight talk about the mistakes fundraisers make in approaching donors and her frustration with board members who don’t make charitable gifts.
By Julian Wyllie
Contributor