Foundations Must Trust the Experts at Charities

To the Editor:

I couldn’t agree with Pablo Eisenberg more (“The ‘New’ Philanthropy Isn’t New — or Better,” Opinion, January 28). There is a growing and troublesome tendency in foundations today, most prevalent among program officers but increasingly found at senior-executive and board levels as well, to micro-manage grant funds. I know the temptation to do so is great — and I have often had to struggle, not always successfully, I’m sure, to resist the urge.

Still, I think it is very important for all of us in the philanthropic community to keep in mind Mr. Eisenberg’s wise observation that there are many more experts outside than there are inside foundation offices. And with very few exceptions, serious applicants seeking grant support know far more about how and why their projects should be implemented than do the staff members who review their proposals.

Delusions of grandeur are, of course, hardly confined to the philanthropic world. But lately there seems to be a steady increase in the number of grant makers whose policies and priorities reflect an inflated sense of self-importance. A possible corrective would be to make Mr. Eisenberg’s article required reading for everyone in — or entering — the foundation field.

Richard S. Lanier
Director
Trust for Mutual Understanding
New York