Letters to the Editor on Domestic Violence and About Fidelity Charitable

To the Editor:

In the opinion article “Domestic Violence Affects the Work of Many Foundations — Whether or Not They Know It” (October 29), the author Debbie I. Chang did an excellent job of pointing out the intersectionality of domestic violence woven into many societal epidemics.

However, she missed one critical area: prevention of domestic violence.

Like many authors before her, Ms. Chang asserts subtly that domestic violence is a foregone conclusion; however, research through the University of Oklahoma and Alliance for Hope International clearly shows pathways for generational domestic violence to end.

Ms. Chang would strengthen her opinion piece with the inclusion of ending the epidemic of domestic violence via working with the youth nonprofits to deliver a healthy relationship curriculum focused on communities most at risk for continuing the cycle.

Liz Ortenburger
CEO
SafeNest
Las Vegas

Editor’s note: We received the following in response to the letter to the editor above.

To the Editor:

I was pleased to see Liz Ortenburger’s recognition of my op-ed “Domestic Violence Affects the Work of Many Foundations —Whether or Not They Know It.” I was surprised, however, to see her assertion that the article failed to address the critical topic of prevention. Domestic-violence prevention was discussed in the piece and, in fact, is at the core of our mission as a foundation. Our goal is to break the cycle of domestic violence, address the root causes, and prevent domestic violence through a multigenerational approach. I completely agree with Ortenburger’s sentiment that prevention is critical to a discussion of domestic violence.

Debbie I. Chang,

President and CEO

Blue Shield of California Foundation

To the Editor:

I was dismayed but not really surprised to see yet another opinion piece in your publication criticizing donor-advised funds. (“Fidelity Charitable: Using Grants to Win Friends, Influence People, and Silence Critics,” October 21)

I was surprised and greatly offended by the tone of the comments that Alan Cantor made regarding DAF grants from Fidelity Charitable to both Independent Sector and the National Council of Nonprofits.

Both organizations continue to work on behalf of the nonprofit sector, but especially for the millions of Americans that need the services of America’s charities each and every day. I know both Dan Cardinali and Tim Delaney, the leaders of these organizations, and their tireless work should be applauded.

As for the continued attack on DAFs, I can only say that many of us who work with DAF-sponsoring organizations are proud of the work that these philanthropic vehicles achieve and the support they continue to receive from committed donors to our organizations.

Steven Woolf
Senior Tax Policy Counsel
Jewish Federations of North America
Washington