Focused Giving Made a Difference
September 6, 2001
To the Editor:
I am a fund raiser for a reproductive-health services organization. Regarding Thomas A. Kelley’s “There’s No Such Thing as ‘Bad’ Charity” (August 9), while I agree that “bad versus good” characterizations are overly simplistic, Mr. Kelley’s retelling of his poignant reunion actually strengthens his support for strategic philanthropy, as he mentioned earlier in the essay. What he had done years ago in Niger was not “alms,” but formal agreements with a select group of individuals. It was by focusing his giving that Mr. Kelley made such a significant difference.
Carmina Bernardo
New York
