Donors Skimp on Poverty Causes

To the Editor:

Your cover story (August 21) on venture philanthropy (“A Revolution Was Ventured, but What Did It Gain?”) covered many of the issues that have faced this field. It is sad and disappointing that no new significant funds have been created in the last few years. Although one could blame it on the depressed economy, that explanation does not really have much merit because many other nonprofits have received significant funding from donors. Why is it that donors don’t hesitate to make major gifts ($25-million or more) to arts, religious, and educational institutions but they rarely give large gifts to nonprofits that focus on antipoverty initiatives?

Venture philanthropists have proven that there are great organizations that deserve significant support from donors. Our world will be a better place when donors recognize that nonprofits that help to reduce poverty deserve their support just as much as other organizations. Until donors who come from the corporate world recognize the merit of donating to reduce poverty at the same level they donate to other causes, the real impact of venture philanthropy will be limited.

Gary F. Jonas
Chief Executive Officer
Strategic Philanthropic Advisors
Bethesda, Md.